The human appetite can be influenced by various factors, from the aroma of food to emotional states. In response to the growing struggle with weight management, numerous appetite suppressants have emerged. One such product that gained popularity through TV commercials is Sensa, a powder designed to be sprinkled on food, purportedly turning off appetite without drugs or stimulants. This article delves into Sensa diet sprinkles, examining their claims, ingredients, scientific backing, and controversies.
What is Sensa?
Sensa is marketed as a revolutionary weight loss system. It claims that users can "sprinkle, eat, and lose weight" without altering their diet or exercise routine. The product consists of flavored maltodextrin, tricalcium phosphate, silica, and artificial and natural flavors. Sensa offers different formulas for savory and sweet foods, packaged in shakers. The suggestion is to sprinkle these "tastants" on all foods to enhance flavor and promote feelings of fullness, leading to weight loss.
Claims and Endorsements
Sensa's advertisements featured claims of significant weight loss, with some users stating they lost substantial weight. Dr. Alan Hirsch, the creator of Sensa and founder of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, asserted that Sensa was clinically proven to work, citing a study of 1,436 subjects who used the program for six months. The study reported an average weight loss of 30.5 pounds, or nearly 15% of their body weight, compared to a control group that lost only 2 pounds.
The FTC later charged that Sensa's marketers failed to disclose that they paid some consumer endorsers for promoting the product and controlled a purportedly independent study. The compensation included payments of $1,000 or $5,000 and trips to Los Angeles. The agency also alleged that Dr. Hirsch provided expert endorsements unsupported by scientific evidence, providing the means for the other defendants to deceive consumers.
Ingredients and Mechanism
Sensa crystals contain maltodextrin, artificial and natural flavors, and, in some cases, soy and milk extracts. Serving sizes are small, making the product technically sugar-free and calorie-free. According to the company, the six-month system contains six packages, each with a slightly different formula, to prevent sensory complacency.
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The proposed mechanism is that the powder activates the olfactory (smell-sensing) part of the brain, enhancing the smells of foods and making users feel full faster, leading to reduced food intake.
Scientific Scrutiny and Criticism
Despite the claims and endorsements, Sensa faced significant criticism from experts and regulatory bodies. Adam Drewnowski, director of the nutritional sciences program at the University of Washington, questioned how the product could work as advertised, noting the lack of evidence that small amounts of maltodextrin or artificial and natural flavors have dramatic effects on appetite. He stated that the Sensa study was not published in a peer-reviewed journal, leaving many questions about its design and results unanswered.
Dr. Marc-Andre Cornier, an associate professor of medicine in the department of endocrinology, metabolism, and diabetes at the University of Colorado Denver, expressed skepticism about the amount of weight loss claimed by Sensa, stating that losing 15% of body weight is usually seen with gastric bypass surgery.
Legal Action and Refunds
Due to deceptive advertising claims, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took action against Sensa's marketers. In January 2014, Sensa agreed to pay $26.5 million to settle the FTC's charges. The FTC used the settlement money to provide refunds to consumers who bought Sensa. The average amount each consumer received was $54, but may have differed based on how much they lost.
The FTC also charged the defendants with failing to disclose their connections with the endorsers of a product or program, as well as with anyone conducting or participating in a study of the product or program.
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The Broader Context of Weight Loss Supplements
The Sensa case highlights the broader issues within the weight loss supplement industry. Over-the-counter dietary supplements have become commonplace, promising immediate and substantial weight loss, but their efficacy and safety are often dubious. The 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) exempts dietary supplements from the rigorous safety and efficacy reviews required for food additives, leading to potential conflicts of interest and insufficient regulation.
The FDA can initiate recalls if a product is identified as harmful, but this relies on the agency's ability to monitor the vast dietary supplement market effectively. Recalls may not be sufficient to spread awareness of harmful products or remove dangerous ingredients from the market entirely.
Risks and Concerns
Many weight loss supplements contain prohibited substances and untested compounds. The prevalent usage of amphetamine-based stimulants illustrates this phenomenon. These supplements have been linked to health complications, including liver injuries and severe hepatitis.
Weight loss supplements can be especially harmful to young people. Studies have found that adolescent and young adult women with past diet pill usage are more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder.
Legislative Efforts
Stemming from concerns about supplement under-regulation, the Out of Kids’ Hands campaign has been directed by the Harvard School of Public Health STRIPED to pass legislation that regulates weight loss supplements. Many bills are based on an age-restriction policy, requiring ID verification to demonstrate that a consumer is over 18 years of age prior to supplement sale.
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