Cancer Risk in Diet Pills

The US government warned prospective dieters on Monday, 22nd December, 2008, as reported by the Star on Wednesday, to avoid close to 30 weight-loss products that contain unlisted and possibly dangerous ingredients.

The pills are advertised as " natural fat busters and have intriguing names like Imelda Perfect Slim and Zhen de Shou. Some are promoted as new versions of "ancient remedies" from Asia.

They promise an easy fix to weight problems, but the Federal Food & Drug Administration,(FDA), said that the concoctions contain unlisted ingredients, including high doses of a powerful anti-obesity drug, as well as suspected carcinogen.

When consumers buy these products online,FDA lawyer Michael Levy advises that ,"if it sounds too good to be true, it is likely too good to be true.

"The tainted products pose a risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and in some cases prescription drugs in doses that greatly exceed their maximum dosages"
, says Dr Janet Woodcock, the Director of the FDA Drug Evaluation centre.

Most of the diet pills originate from China and sold mainly on the Internet.

Nearly all the pills contain sibutramine, a powerful appetite suppressant and is a cousin of amphetamines. It can cause heart attacks, strokes and heart palpitations, especially in people with high blood pressure and a history of heart problems.

Several of the pills also contain phenolphthalein, a chemical used as a laxative, but now withdrawn from the market due to its link to cancer risks.

The FDA is considering criminal charges against some of the companies because they have not responded to requests for recalls.

The products are: Fatloss Slimming, 2 Day Diet, 3X Slimmimg Power, 5X Imelda Perfect Slimming, 3 Day Diet Japan Lingzhi, 24 Hours Diet, 7 Day Diet/Night Formula, 7 Day Herbal Slim, 8 Factor Diet, 999 Fitness Essence, Extrim Plus and GMP.

Also included are: Imelda Perfect Slim, Lida DaiDaihua, Miaozi Slim Capsules, Perfect Slim, Perfect Slim 5X, Phyto Shape, ProSlim Plus, Royal Slimming Formula, Slim 3 in 1, Slim Express 360, Slimtech, Somotrin, Superslim, Tripleslim, Zhen de Shou, Venom Hperdrive 3.0.-AP

For those among us who intend to reduce weight- the safest way is still the old way as recommended by the doctors and health practitioners: ADOPT A HEALTHY DIET AND EXERCISE AS A ROUTINE.

For young people, remember what you imbibe now will only show the results when you are older. As old folks say, "disease takes time to take root and even takes longer time to heal."
Whatever eating habits you adopt now, coupled with the kind of environment you live in, has a direct impact on your future state of health.