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Feb 17, 2009 -- FDA updates list of tainted weight-loss supplements

Have you been taking a dietary supplement for weight loss that's been advertised as herbal or all-natural? The FDA has a new warning about scores of such supplements that can be hazardous to your health because they contain traditional pharmaceutical compounds.

Supplements like Starcaps, 3x Slimming Power and 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming are among those being named. Many of these supplements were marketed heavily on websites, infomercials and as part of store displays. See the complete list on the FDA's website.

Of course, not all herbal remedies, natural remedies and dietary supplements are unsafe. But there are obviously enough rogue players and manufacturers who make honest mistakes to warrant concern.

There have been reports of people experiencing elevated blood pressure, increased seizures and bad drug interactions when taking the affected weight loss pills. The New York Times reported one man was taking a supplement that was marketed as a natural remedy but actually contained amphetamines!

A special note to the libertarians: Yes, Clark is calling for more oversight of this industry. He believes there is a legitimate role in government to ensure the safety of these supplements. Back in the mid-1990s, the makers of the herbal and all-natural dietary supplements got what amounted to a blanket exemption from any federal oversight…and now we're seeing the downside of that.

Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

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What others are saying

  • Vegetarians can be fat too!
    My family thought we would loose great amounts of weight just by becoming vegetarians.

    Then it dawned on us, the larges animals in the world are all vegetarians! Most of these critters weigh well over a 1,000 pounds in adulthood.

    What were we thinking.....
  • comments to libertarian on supplements
    The FDA needs to pull all unsafe products off the market. How many people does aspirin kill in a year. The track record of supplements is by far a safer way to go. When someones buys a product that is a stimulant, you get stimulated. Dah!!! Blood pressure included. When does the person taking a product bear some respnonsibility. We do not need more laws ot restrict our freedoms. We need people being responsible for their actions. I do agree, when a company puts ephedra free on a label, they should be required to state there are other stimulants involved. If a person does not know emough about what they are buying and taking, they should ask advise. A new law is not needed. The FDA has the authority to stop deception now. They need to clean up a even more offending industry for daamage to human life. That is the pharmaceutical companies. Check out how many deaths each year come from drugs and then compare it to legitimate natural products and tell me who needs more regulating.
  • diet pills
    First off so sorry to hear you have cancer. Our prayers are with you Clark. All things are possible. Good nutrition is so helpful. You are right about bogus pills, drinks. etc. My daughter is always buying or selling all these products. I tell her to be so careful as she does not know what is in these items. If you eat a good vetgetable, fruit, and lugume healthy diet you will get better results. My husband has cancer and I make sure he isn't ingesting junk pills, etc. He must eat healthy. Of course a healthy prayer life is great also. God bless you Clark
  • weightloss sutff
    Scary anything from Power 90? My wife has taken some supplements although I don;t think they are weight loss drugs?
    Todd Charske
  • clark's cancer
    Dearest Clark: you know how special you are to all of us. You feel like the loyal family member that most of us don't have. We cannot help but be concerned about the outcome of your treatment. In April last year I was diagnoised with cancer of the lining in the uterus. With the help of the Almighty, the doctors,my husband and kids, the nurses, and the staff at the hospital, and the folks that draw the blood and last but certainly not least prayers from friends and family. I completed my program last August, 2008. and am now cancer free. I did the DaVinci Robotic laproscopic operation. It was FANTASTIC! It had to take that for me to now begin to take care of myself, I am now very conscious of my daily intake of protein and other nutrients. I will be praying that you and your family will make the right decisions. Love you Clark
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