Herbal Weight Loss Supplements from China that Are Dangerous

Alternative medicine is my life but I also try to be fair in my articles. I write a number of articles on the dangers of diet drugs but there are also herbal diet supplements that are also dangerous. I have never been fond of advising clients to use weight loss drugs or supplements. When you use a drug instead of lifestyle changes to lose weight, most often you gain that weight right back. So in my opinion, diet drugs or herbal diet pills are a crutch, that in the end only result in a messed up metabolism. I just want to state my position on this subject to begin with.

Trouble With Chinese Supplements: There have been a number of serious problems coming from China with herb products period. Lab tests have shown heavy metals and lead contamination in Chinese supplements such as in bone meal. Recently there have been more problems in various Chinese weight loss supplements. They are advertised as natural and safe. Consumers are spending thousands of dollars on these Chinese weight loss products. The truth is they are not 'natural' and not safe at all.

Illegal Drugs Found In Herbal Diet Supplements:

Illegal drugs: Sibutramine is one of the ingredients in the banned diet pill, Meridia. Subutramine is a controlled substance which means it is addictive with serious side effects. You may experience high blood pressure, heart palpitations, seizures, or heart problems. Lab tests have found higher amounts of this drug in the herbal supplements than in Meridia.

Phenolphthalein: It is considered a carcinogen or substance that may cause cancer; removed from laxatives in the 1990's for side effects; and may cause changes in DNA production.

Phenytoin: Drug used in the manufacture of the anti-seizure drug Dilantin. This substance certainly should not be found in any natural herbal weight loss formulation.

Rinonabant: Drug used in foreign countries and not approved for use in the United States. Responsible for some real serious side effects including seizures, depression, suicidal tendencies, anger and aggressive behavior, sleeping disorders, increased anxiety and neurological side effects.

Banned Chinese Herbal Diet Supplements Include: 3x Slimming Power; 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming; 7 days Herbal Slim; 3Day Night and many more. The FDA has banned 31 Chinese herbal diet supplements but they are still being sold in many Chinese markets and health stores.

Use Caution: You should write down the list of these weight loss supplements found laced with drugs. It does not matter if it is a herbal weight loss supplement or standard medicine weight loss diet drug, dangerous is still dangerous. I want to see Americans heading toward a better life style and better eating habits, not becoming dependent on supplements or drugs that in the end may hurt your health.

References:

http://patients.about.com/od/patientempowermentissues/a/weightlossdrugs.htm

http://www.prevention.com/community/forums/health/drugs-medications/28-types-of-weight-loss-pills-banned-fda?plckShowLatestPost=1

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/business/10pills.html