The prevalence of overweight and obesity in America is a significant health concern, with more than two-thirds of adults falling into these categories. This has fueled the growth of the weight-loss supplement industry, as companies seek to capitalize on the desire for quick and easy solutions. However, the safety and effectiveness of these over-the-counter (OTC) diet pills are often questionable, and it's crucial to understand the potential risks involved.
The Appeal and Peril of Weight-Loss Supplements
The allure of a "magic pill" for weight loss is strong. Many people seek out herbal and natural dietary supplements, believing them to be safer alternatives to prescription medications. However, the supplement market is lightly regulated, and weight-loss products can contain hazardous substances, chemical variations of banned substances, and dosages exceeding safe limits.
A Cautionary Tale: The Case of Sibutramine
An example of the dangers of unregulated weight-loss drugs is Meridia, a brand name for sibutramine. While initially successful in helping people lose weight, it was later found to have serious side effects.
Potential Health Risks Associated with GRN Diet Pills
Even if a diet supplement helps you lose a few pounds, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. The risks associated with OTC weight-loss supplements often outweigh the rewards.
Cardiovascular Damage
Many weight-loss drugs work by accelerating metabolism and heart rate to burn more energy. This can strain the cardiovascular system, potentially leading to heart damage.
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Increased Stroke Risk
Many substances found in weight-loss supplements are stimulants that force the heart to pump faster, increasing the risk of stroke.
Liver Damage
The liver plays a crucial role in processing nutrients, eliminating toxins, and stabilizing blood sugar. Supplements can disrupt these functions, leading to a build-up of toxic enzymes.
One case report detailed a young, healthy woman who developed fulminant hepatic failure requiring an emergent liver transplant due to a dietary supplement and fat burner containing usnic acid, green tea, and guggul tree extracts.
Other Potential Side Effects
DNP overdose can cause itchy, inflamed skin due to an allergic reaction. Cataracts can also develop quickly after DNP use due to changes in blood-cell health and production.
Common Ingredients of Concern
Several ingredients commonly found in weight-loss supplements have been linked to adverse health effects.
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Usnic Acid
Usnic acid is a component of nutritional supplements promoted for weight loss and has been associated with liver-related adverse events, including mild hepatic toxicity, chemical hepatitis, and liver failure requiring liver transplantation.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extracts have been marketed as effective weight-loss supplements, but serious side effects, including acute liver failure, have been reported.
Gum Guggul
Gum guggul and its constituents are increasingly being used as dietary supplements. Side effects include skin rashes, irregular menstruation, diarrhea, headache, mild nausea, and, with very high doses, liver toxicity.
Sibutramine
Sibutramine is a controlled substance that was removed from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons. It is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or heart rate in some people and may present a significant risk for people with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke.
Garcinia Cambogia
Garcinia cambogia is a popular weight-loss supplement. Some research has found that garcinia cambogia may improve cholesterol levels, lowering triglycerides and LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol). However, it may also cause dizziness, dry mouth, headache, and upset stomach or diarrhea. In 2017, the FDA warned everyone to stop using a weight-loss product that contained garcinia cambogia because some people taking it got serious liver problems.
Read also: Safe Diet Pills
Green Tea as a Single Ingredient
Green tea may support energy and focus. It may also support heart and blood vessel health. It is a source of caffeine, which may increase alertness. It also contains antioxidants, which help to protect your cells.
Precautions when using Green Tea
Before taking green tea supplements, inform your healthcare team if you have anemia, bleeding disorder, diabetes, heart disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, low blood sugar, seizure disorder, stomach problems like heartburn, ulcer, taking blood-thinning medications, thyroid disease, trouble sleeping, or any unusual or allergic reaction to green tea, caffeine, other herbs, plants, supplements, foods, dyes, or preservatives, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Green tea supplements may interact with aspirin and aspirin-like medications, clozapine, dipyridamole, dyphylline, furazolidone, guarana, iron, isoniazid, linezolid, lithium, MAOIs, medications for congestion, colds, medications for weight loss, medications that treat or prevent blood clots, other herbal or dietary supplements, procarbazine, stimulants, theophylline, and yohimbine.
Watch for symptoms that do not get better or if they get worse. This supplement may contain caffeine. Do not take it close to bedtime. If you are scheduled for any medical or dental procedure, tell your care team that you are taking this supplement. You may need to stop taking this supplement before the procedure.
Possible side effects of Green Tea
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible include allergic reactions and liver injury. Side effects that usually do not require medical attention include anxiety, nervousness, headache, and tremors or shaking.
Regulatory Oversight and Consumer Protection
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 regulates dietary supplements as foods, not drugs, meaning they are not subject to the same rigorous testing and approval processes as prescription medications. Manufacturers are not required to provide safety data to the FDA, making it difficult to ensure the safety and efficacy of these products.
The Food and Drug Administration suggests the following to help consumers protect themselves: Always read product labels and follow directions. Natural does not mean a product is safe for humans to take. Look for products that include USP after the ingredient name. Supplements made or sold by a nationally known food or drug company are more likely to be made under tight controls. You can write to the company for more information about how the product was made.