FDA Falls Short in Regulating Dietary Supplements

Add dietary supplements to the growing list of products the beleaguered Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is failing to regulate. According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congress, the FDA does not have even the most basic information to protect the public from hazardous supplements.

It doesn't have an accurate inventory of the supplement ingredients on store shelves. It doesn't have a firm handle on the number and nature of serious adverse reactions to dietary supplements.

In fact, the GAO found, the agency doesn't even have a list of the names and locations of herbal supplement manufacturers. And several substances banned overseas are readily available on the Internet and in retail stores all over the U.S. even though they are variously linked to kidney damage, liver damage, seizures, and death.

"When it comes to dietary supplements, it's like the Wild West, and the bad guys know they don't have to take the sheriff seriously," said Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) legal affairs director Bruce Silverglade. "Even when confronted with people dying from a dangerous substance like ephedra, the FDA has limited authority to get the product off the market."

It took the FDA nearly 10 years to ban ephedra, also known as ma huang. Ephedra-containing dietary supplements, often marketed as weight-loss aids and performance enhancers, were linked to numerous deaths and thousands of adverse reactions, including irregular heartbeat and stroke.

The herbal ingredients kava, lobelia, and supplements containing aristolochic acid are all banned in some countries, but FDA has taken no action short of issuing public warnings.

Meanwhile, such products are available to consumers.

St. John's wort, often marketed as an herbal anti-depressant, may interfere with birth control pills, a medicine used to treat HIV, and other prescription medications. While the FDA has issued alerts to that effect, it hasn't required warning labels on the products. As a result, some brands bear warnings while others do not.

Similarly, GAO pointed out that although such popular supplements as garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and Vitamin E may cause blood thinning and result in life-threatening complications during surgery, consumers are not warned of such risks.

A CSPI market survey of warning labels on Vitamin E and other popular supplements found that such leading supplement manufacturers as GNC, Nature's Plus, and Rite Aid do not warn of the risks associated with Vitamin E.

"The supplement industry operates in a gray area where the loopholes loom larger than the law," Silverglade said. "Congress should close those loopholes by requiring that ingredients be reviewed for safety and effectiveness and that cautionary information appear on product labels."

Under current law, dietary supplements sold before 1994 are presumed safe, and manufacturers of new dietary ingredients only need to notify the FDA 75 days before marketing new products. The vast majority of the claims on the labels, like the substances themselves, do not require any FDA approval.

The GAO also found that the boundaries between dietary supplements and foods that contain herbal ingredients are not clear. The food industry often markets teas and other energy drinks as supplements to take advantage of weaker safety laws.

"This report highlights significant gaps in FDA's ability to ensure the safety of dietary supplements," said Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. "Because of limitations on FDA’s authority and its lack of resources, consumers don't have the assurance they should that all supplements are safe."

CSPI has repeatedly urged the FDA to take enforcement action against supplements that contain ingredients the agency has told the industry are not recognized as safe for use in foods, including echinacea, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, chromium picolinate, guarana and gotu kola. Foods containing such ingredients include Arizona Rx Iced Teas, Snapple Awaken, and SoBe Lifewater Zingseng.

In addition, Mars continues to sell its Cocoa Via candy bars despite the fact FDA told the company that folate is not recognized as safe for use in candy. Fuze Black and Green Tea with Acai Berry also contains added folate in violation of FDA rules. Excess consumption of folate masks the presence of anemia in persons with a vitamin B12 deficiency.

The GAO pointed out the FDA lacks statutory authority to keep potentially hazardous supplement ingredients off the market and the resources to study adverse reaction reports or inspect manufacturing facilities. As with contaminated foods, the agency lacks mandatory recall authority.

In comments supplied to GAO, the FDA stated it generally agreed with the report's recommendations for improving regulation of the industry, which in 2007 had more than $23 billion in sales.

www.consumeraffairs.com

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Pros & Cons Of Weight Loss Pills

A reader recently e-mailed me about the weight loss pill Phentermine, which she's been taking from a weight loss clinic. "Is this the same as the Phen-Fen weight loss pill that was taken off the market a few years ago?" she asked.

The answer is yes and no.

Phentermine was one half of the weight loss pill combination called Phen-Fen. Several years ago the Fen part (Fenfluramine) was pulled from the market due to adverse health risks. Phentermine is a very effective weight loss medication, however it should not be taken lightly, and certainly is not for everyone.

Our reader isn't alone out there looking for some help in losing weight. Obesity affects more than one-half of our population and is linked to health problems ranging from heart disease to cancer. Unfortunately, with our busy schedules and the easy access to fast food, exercising and eating right is easier said than done.

Phentermine has recently had a resurgence in use with the growing popularity of weight loss clinics that combine high doses of the drug with vitamin injections and very restrictive diets (as low as 500 calories a day).
So what is it? How does it work? Is it safe?

Most of the supplements and medications on the market that have any effect on weight loss typically contain caffeine or another type of stimulant.

Phentermine falls into that category as well. It has a stimulant effect similar to an amphetamine and works in the brain to increase your metabolism and reduce appetite.

It is given in doses of 15 to 37.5 mg daily, usually in the morning or during the day so it doesn't interfere with sleep.

Since it acts as a stimulant, phentermine can have wide-ranging effects including elevated blood pressure, heart palpitations, rapid heart rate, dizziness, headache, insomnia, restlessness, stomach upset and nervous tremors. There is also an association with the development of heart valve disease.

Even more worrisome is that Phentermine can be habit-forming with long-term use. That means it can be addictive. Bottom line, while Phentermine would likely be OK for most people without chronic medical problems (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease), it should be used only after a thorough discussion with your doctor of the risks and benefits.

Most of you are likely still wondering, "but does it work?" The answer is yes, at least short term. Patients have lost 30 to 40 pounds in some studies, however no long-term studies have been conducted. Another similar-sounding drug, Phendimetrazine, is similar to Phentermine in effectiveness and side effects. Other prescription medications such as Meridia or Xenical have shown a weight loss of 10 percent over a year when combined with diet and exercise.

And that is the take-home lesson. As much as we all would love a simple pill to resolve a weight problem, anything that does not include diet and exercise has little chance of long-term success. Be wary of quick fixes, and make sure to talk with your doctor. Even over-the-counter remedies can be dangerous for some patients.

Do you have a health question relating to adult, pediatric, or women's health issues? E-mail Dr. Andy.

Editor's note: The information in this column is meant to discuss medical issues in general. Any individual decisions should be made by the reader only after consultation with his or her physician.

- Andrew Oakes-Lottridge, M.D., is the only concierge physician in Southwest Florida exclusively making house-calls in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. He has pediatric and adult privileges at HealthPark Hospital. E-mail Andy@DrAndy.US or call 239-694-6246.

www.news-press.com

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Health Canada Warns of Weight Loss Pills Use

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use Natural (Xin Yi Dai) and Lasmi weight loss pills due to concerns about possible side-effects.

Natural (Xin Yi Dai) and Lasmi are both promoted for weight loss.

Reason for Warning

The Hong Kong Department of Health warned against the use of Natural (Xin Yi Dai) and Lasmi because they were both found to contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients.

Natural (Xin Yi Dai) was found to contain sibutramine and phenolphthalein, and Lasmi was found to contain sibutramine and spironolactone.

Sibutramine is used in the treatment of obesity and spironolactone is used in the treatment of fluid retention. Both are prescription drugs that should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional.

Phenolphthalein was previously used in over-the-counter laxative preparations but is currently prohibited in Canada as it may cause cancer. Individuals who may have been exposed to phenolphthalein should consult with their health care professional.

Possible Side-Effects

Use of sibutramine may cause headaches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, chest pain and stroke.

Abuse of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives has been associated with stomach and intestinal bleeding, anemia, acute pancreatitis and, in cases of massive overdose, multiple organ damage (including liver failure).

Side-effects associated with spironolactone include electrolyte imbalance, breast enlargement in males, gastrointestinal irritation, fatigue, dizziness and reproductive disorders.

www.emaxhealth.com

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FTC Sues Sellers of Weight-Loss Pills for False Advertising

The Federal Trade Commission has charged a business operation with violating federal law by falsely claiming that its weight-loss pills cause users to lose weight without dieting or exercise.

According to the FTC’s complaint, since 2005 the defendants have marketed their product throughout the nation under the names Zyladex Plus, Questral AC, Questral AC Fat Killer Plus, Rapid Loss 245, and Rapid Loss Rx. Their advertising, which has included statements such as “Lose up to 15 pounds a week,” “Not Even Total Starvation Can Slim You Down and Firm You Up This Fast - This Safe!,” and “No Dieting, No Exercise,” has appeared in Sunday newspaper supplements, including SmartSource by News America Marketing FSI, Inc.

The defendants, Medlab, Inc., Pinnacle Holdings, Inc., Metabolic Research Associates, Inc., U.S.A. Health, Inc., and their principal, L. Scott Holmes, located in California, are charged with violating Sections 5 and 12 of the FTC Act by making false and unsubstantiated claims that their product causes users to lose substantial amounts of weight rapidly, including as much as 15 to 18 pounds per week and as much as 50 percent of all excess weight in just 14 days, without dieting or exercise; that clinical studies prove those claims; and that their product causes permanent or long-term weight loss.

The FTC ultimately seeks to permanently bar the defendants from further violations and to obtain redress for affected consumers.

Through its “Red Flag” education campaign, announced in December 2003, the Commission encourages media outlets not to run ads for weight-loss products that contain false claims. As part of this effort, the FTC may notify media outlets when ads making bogus weight-loss claims appear in their publications. More information about the “Red Flag” campaign is available at http://www.ftc.gov/redflag/

The Commission vote to authorize the staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendant has actually violated the law. The case will be decided by the court.

Copies of the complaint are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and
the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.shtm or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,600 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm.

www.npicenter.com

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Tighter regulation by the FDA of misleading health ads is definitely needed.
At least the FDA does have oversight over print and television ads by the pharmaceutical industry. I am far more troubled by the ads for over-the-counter "food supplement" products, which the FDA has no power to regulate. For example, the pandemic of obesity has led to an ever-increasing spate of ads for useless weight loss pills on which consumers waste billions of dollars.
Federal Trade Commission recently levied fines of more than $25 million for false advertising of four weight loss products - Xenadrine EFX, Cortislim, TrimSpa and One-A-Day Weight Smart (a green tea extract added to a standard multivitamin preparation).

Particularly troublesome is the fact that the latter product is advertised under the widely respected Bayer name. The Bayer ad did recommend a lift-twist-and-bend exercise (which apparently consists of lifting the bottle, twisting off the cap, and bending a wrist to take the pill). Although the advertisements are judged misleading, the products are not harmful and can still be purchased.

As often is the case, the marketing campaign for one of these products relied on a testimonial and endorsement by a celebrity. Of course, such celebrities are paid by the supplement maker and may be aided by diet coaches and personal trainers who help the weight loss pill achieve its goal. It's hard to believe, but people apparently accept as gospel the statements made in these promotions and the benefits claimed in testimonials.

It's time that newspapers and magazines stop accepting ads from weight loss pill manufacturers. Some time ago, after seeing an ad with too many errors to list here, I wrote a letter urging the Baltimore Sun newspaper not to print ads for such questionable over-the-counter weight loss pills. Although the newspaper never responded, and it may be wishful thinking, I have the impression that they have recently printed fewer ads for such weight loss pills.

Via www.health.yahoo.com

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Prescription Weight Loss Pills - Five Reasons to Not Use Them

Do you have problems losing weight ? It's okay, millions around the world face the same dilemma. Have you tried prescription weight loss pills to combat the seemingly never-ending battle of the bulge ? Well, although they are prescribed by your doctor and you may think they are safe, best to read the details below about what could happen to you in some cases.

1. Prescription weight loss pills can have very serious side effects.

Prescription weight loss pills are physically powerful treatments, and they come with many different side effects depending on the prescription diet pill and the patient that uses them. Each of us is different with different chemical balances in our bodies. This is one reason we go to the doctor to prescribe prescription weight loss pills.

Each prescription weight loss pill has the probability for causing dangerous side effects.
Some of the negative side effects of prescription weight loss pills can possibly be a brain hemorrhage, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, heart disease or even a stroke. Then there is always the possibility of developing headaches, with blurred vision, nervousness with symptoms of tremors and excessive perspiration, or tingling in lower limbs and extremities.

Other serious side effects from prescription weight loss pills can include insomnia, fatigue or hyperactivity. There are prescription weight loss pills that can disrupt the female menstrual cycle as well as cause urinary tract problems. Certain prescription weight loss pills leave you begging for mercy by causing you to feel that your guts are wrenching loose by intestinal problems such as violent diarrhea and vomiting as well as putting a harsh halt to your inner workings by suffering constipation.

2. Prescription weight loss pills can potentially lead to pills dependence.

Prescription weight loss pills that are predominantly stimulant based, are habit forming, and have the possibility of misuse. Any time a drug is abused it can lead to dependence upon that particular drug. Always ask you doctor if the prescription weight loss pill that you have been prescribed is a habit forming drug. If the prescription weight loss pill is addictive, ask your doctor what signs you should be forewarned.

Prescription weight loss pills should never be taken unless prescribed by a doctor and under his care.

3. Prescription weight loss pills can disrupt your metabolism.

Prescription weight loss pills work by suppressing the appetite, in other words, they keep you from feeling hungry. If you do not feel hungry, you do not eat. This seems like an elemental result for weight loss. However, when you cut calories by not eating as much your metabolism begins to slow down. While your metabolism slows down so does the amount of weight you loose. For this reason when people use prescription weight loss pills they can only loose so much weight and come to a plateau in their weight loss.

4. Prescription weight loss pills can cause your body to develop a tolerance to the drug.

Prescription weight loss pills are only meant to be effective for weight loss for a short period. Prescription weight loss pills normally are prescribed by doctors for use up to six months time. In this time frame, weight loss is calculated to be somewhere between five to twenty two pounds, or up to at least ten percent of your body weight.

If you develop a tolerance for a prescription weight loss pill, you may have to be put on a more physically powerful prescription weight loss pill, which could have even more severe side effects. Keeping a regular exercise plan in action after getting off prescription weight loss pills can help to keep the desired weight maintained.

5. Prescription weight loss pills are a profitable business.

Since Prescription weight loss pills are such a gainful business, technology is working harder every day to come up with some new and improved, amazing weight loss pill and pharmaceutical companies are steadily active in introducing even more products every day. There are estimated to be over 100 new prescription weight loss pills and treatments being developed or already in clinical study trials.

These highly trained professional people are making money off prescription weight loss pills whether they work for us or not. They are paid for prescription weight loss pills whether they cause us to become ill, develop disease or die from taking prescription weight loss pills or not.

The point is that because of our individual chemical makeup, there are many prescription weight loss pills that only work for a short time or endanger our health in one way or another with side effects. Developing a non-side effect and safe cure all prescription weight loss pills for weight loss would be miraculous and wonderful, but it is more than unlikely to be without a solution.

We may consider that adjusting our food intake and our energy output, may not be such a bad idea for weight loss after all. We could certainly put the money to other uses like furnishing ourselves a new wardrobe or buying a new entertainment center, while we wait.

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Weight Loss pill CortiSlim

Cortislim - what is this weight loss pill and can it help you lose weight?

When it comes to dieting and losing weight, some people enjoy a higher level of success when they have a little extra boost pushing them along. Weight loss pills and other supplements have become an increasingly popular way to accommodate the ups and downs associated with dieting. Since every individual approaches dieting in their own physical, emotional, and mental manner, Cortislim has come up with a variety of options to seize the advantages of using such a product.

Dieting is a lifestyle change that is influenced by a variety of outside factors. For instance, low energy levels hinder the progress that both dieting and exercise brings. Some people have trouble controlling what they eat during the day, which may foil any good exercise plan. Others have a chemical imbalance in their body that makes it especially hard to maintain weight. In order to feel more relaxed and confident in your weight loss journey, products like Cortislim help to achieve the goals you have set for yourself.

Since no two dieters are the same, it is pretty hard to create a product that will handle all of the dieting woes that exist. This is why Cortislim has created a range of weight loss pills that focus on specific patterns of eating and metabolism concerns. Below, you will learn a bit about the several options offered under the Cortislim brand name:

CortiSlim Original

Stress is one of the number one reasons that people gain weight. Regardless of how many calories are cut or sessions of aerobics attended, there are still additional obstacles to overcome that are still maintainable. Cortislim Original provides the initial stress-reducing blueprint for the Cortislim product line. Stress levels lower once the advanced 3-Complex Formula is incorporated into a daily regimen. Paired with diet and exercise, the original formula also encourages an increased metabolism and maintenance of acceptable blood sugar levels.

CortiSlim Burn

It is a known fact; the higher your metabolism, the more weight is lost through an increased burning of calories. When you team Cortislim Burn with regular exercise and a sensible diet, you will provide the much-needed boost that increases the rate at which your metabolism thrives. It is the effective blend of bitter orange peel, guarana, and green tea extracts that helps to burn unwanted fat and unnecessary calories. Many individuals who have taken the supplement agree that they are able to stay active for longer periods of time.

CortiSlim Control

Sometimes losing weight is hindered by the urge to eat and satisfy hunger. For some, cravings are a number one enemy when it comes to losing weight. When one feels full, they are less likely to overeat. Cortislim Control helps those that have issues with controlling what they eat by supplying fiber as an active ingredient that actually expands the stomach and tricks the mind into thinking they are full. The supplement also has a way of reducing the glycemic index of foods that contain a lot of sugar. Additional benefits include promoting a healthy colon.

CortiSlim Energy Punch

By the sound of the name, you may envision a weight loss beverage, but Cortislim Energy Punch are actually chewable tablets that come in four fruity flavors. With only five calories per tablet, an instant boost is delivered when taking this supplement that is quite similar to the popular energy drinks on the market. Unlike caffeine-filled products that may cause jitters, Cortislim Energy Punch contains additional ingredients, such as yerba mate, kola nut, B vitamins, guarana, and taurine with no apparent side effects.

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Acomplia weight loss pill benefits

What is obesity? Obesity is a state when you take in more calories than the calories burnt. It affects your body metabolism and results in the dissolution of fat in your body. Obesity comes with many other health-related problems like irregular blood pressure, pain in joints, and many more.

It is for sure that losing weight is not an easy task. It is the demand of recent times to lose excess body weight at the earliest. Everyone strives hard not just to wipe out their excess body weight, but also to stay healthy.

Though exercise is the best remedy for dissolving extra fat of your body, it is seen that only few of us are able to avail the benefits of exercise. It can be due to many reasons like inability to exercise, laziness, medical condition, and hectic schedules. Subsequently, weight loss pills therapy comes in to action by providing an easier method to shelve excess body weight. Acomplia weight loss pill is like a boon for those people who don’t want to spend most of their time in exercises.

Acomplia weight loss pill is an innovative way to remove extra pounds from your body. Acomplia work effectively by suppressing your appetite. You can lose your excess weight when you take these weight loss pills in combination with mild exercises and a balanced diet.

If you want to lose weight, it is important that you should set some goals. You can’t lose weight significantly without goals. Weight loss pills play an important role in suppressing your appetite and in stimulating the metabolism of your body.

Acomplia should be taken before meals and with a glass full of water. Also, prior consultation should be taken before your go for weight loss pills therapy. It is to be noted that these weight loss pills should not be overdosed, as overdose of these pills may affect your health in an adverse manner. Few of the sober side effects of these weight loss pills are dizziness, insomnia, constipation, upset mouth, and dry mouth. These side effects will disappear within a few hours.

Acomplia plays an important role in losing weight more rapidly. Acomplia weight loss pill is useful for all whether they are indulged in exercises or not.

Charles Larsen is a physician by profession but he is also writing articles on Weight loss drugs for a long time. To know more about weight loss medicine, Acomplia weight loss pill, acomplia, Acomplia rimonabant, buy acomplia, acomplia weight loss pills visit http://www.acomplia.p5.org.uk/

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Weight loss pills Xenadrine EFX proved fake

Consumers who bought Xenadrine EFX weight loss pills expecting to lose weight will get refunds of up to $30, the Federal Trade Commission said Monday.

The government isn't requiring you to prove that you bought the pills.

You do have to sign and mail a form swearing, under penalty of perjury, that you bought Xenadrine EFX between Feb. 1, 2002, and May 22, 2006, and were not satisfied with it.

Promoters of the weight loss pill advertised heavily on TV and in People, TV Guide, Men's Fitness and other publications. The ads claimed the pills caused rapid and substantial weight and fat loss, without dieting or exercise.

Some customers claimed to have lost more than 100 pounds. The FTC says they were paid up to $20,000 for their testimonials.

According to the FTC, promoter Robert Chinery Jr. commissioned several studies of the weight loss pills, none of which showed substantial weight loss. One study showed an average loss of 1.5 pounds over 10 weeks, while those who took placebos lost an average of 2.5 pounds.

A 120-tablet bottle — a one-month supply — sold for about $40. Sales topped $160 million.

The amount of refund per consumer depends upon how many others apply. Depending upon the number, the promoters will pay between $8 million and $12.8 million to settle the FTC's complaint.

The settlement bars the promoters from making any health claims not substantiated by scientific evidence.

Download the claim form at http://www.xenadrineefxsettlement.com/ or call 1-800-560-6435. The deadline is Sept. 15.

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Hoodia Gordonii - multiply your weight loss efforts!

Losing weight can be done by taking prescribed medications, but plenty of people frown due to the high costs and with the risks that they can get with these medications. This is the reason why lots of dieters out there switch with healthy alternatives with their losing weight.

There are lots of natural supplements that can help you to lose weight and one of these is hoodia gordonii. Hoodia gordonii is an herbal remedy that can make you lose weight effectively, safely and naturally. Hoodia gordonii is a natural herb that comes from the extract of a cactus-like plant that can be found in Kalahari Desert.

Historical background

This succulent plant was used by tribesmen and Bushmen for thousands of years by chewing it when they are out for traveling and long hunting. They chew this plant in order for them to suppress their hunger and thirst. The San people knew hoodia for different names such as xshoba, ikhoba, xhooba, and so on. Hoodia gordonii has an active molecule called p57 which works by tricking the brain and telling it that you are already full even if you haven’t eaten yet. This magic cactus can even increase your stamina, which is an important factor in losing weight.

Yes, indeed, hoodia gordonii is beneficial to those who truly want to lose weight, they do not have to be afraid, since it is known without any side effects, so it is safe to use and can give effective results.

Hoodia gordonii can be ordered online and in health stores. You do not need a prescription to buy one, so you can purchase you’re a month or months supply if you want to.

Most credible Hoodia Gordonii products

Hoodia gordonii is provided in different forms; the most credible onse are Hoodia Chaser, Hoodia Balance and Hoodia Gordonii Plus. Hoodia Chaser is a liquid form of hoodia gordonii, so if you are having problem with swallowing pill, then you can use this one in losing weight. We recommend though Hoodia Gordonii Plus as this pills are backed by certificates assuring the original Hoodia Gordonii ingredient which are available from Hoodia Gordonii Plus official site.

As you take hoodia gordonii, you will feel a burst of energy which makes you more active than before. As you take hoodia gordonii, it is advisable that you drink plenty of water in order to prevent yourself from dehydration. In taking it, you may not feel thirsty but you have to drink plenty of water because your body needs it.

Yes, hoodia gordonii is known to be effective in losing weight that is why there are some companies out there that produce fake products. So it is recommended that you will be extra careful in purchasing one. It is suggested to check out if the hoodia gordonii product has a certification in it, in order to make sure that you’ll be having the real ones.

It is also better to check out the company, make sure that it is a reliable one in order to have the real hoodia gordonii products.

How to order authentic Hoodia Gordonii?

Do not be caught with very high amount of hoodia gordonii products, they may be fake ones. Since hoodia gordonii is quite expensive but definitely worth it since it is effective and safe to use.

As a guarantee that you are ordering genuine, natural and absolutely safe Hoodia Gordonii weight loss product, Certificate of Analysis and a C. I. T. E. S certification should be provided and shown by the distributor first, before you order the product. Hoodia Gordonii Plus is the credible product that has all the required certificates and provides you with authentic Hoodia Gordonii ingredient to make your weight loss lot more effective compared to traditional weight loss efforts.

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New weight loss pills - substitute to exercising?

A pill might one day achieve the same calorie-burning effects of vigorous exercise.

It's possible, according to a scientist who's developed a potential weight-loss drug that revs up cellular metabolism, much like what happens during heavy physical activity.

In mice, the drug does "result in protection against weight gain on high-fat and high-caloric diets," said Ronald M. Evans, an investigator at The Salk Institute in San Diego. "We're very excited by the potential extension to people."

Of course, there's one big caveat: mice aren't people, and no one knows if the drug will allow ordinary folks to eat to their heart's content without gaining weight.

At stake is a medical solution for people who want to lose weight but either will not diet and exercise properly or can't lose enough weight that way. Weight loss pills have existed for decades, but they have significant side effects and aren't always effective.

One possible solution is to rev up the body's metabolism, the process whereby it turns food into energy. That's where Evans enters the picture.

He has developed a drug that uses chemicals to turn on a genetic switch in the body known as PPAR-d.

Evans is scheduled to talk about the drug Monday at Experimental Biology 2007, an annual scientific program of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, in Washington D.C.

When given the drug in the form of a liquid or powder, the bodies of mice appear to act as if they are exercising even when they aren't, causing their metabolism to speed up, Evans explained. "You then have lower fatty acid levels in your blood, lower triglyceride levels, and lower sugar levels," he said. "They all appear to be linked."

Mice who received the drug were also able to exercise twice as long, turning into what researchers calls "marathon mice."

But what about humans?

According to Evans, the drug could indeed become a "fat pill," although "anything like this will be more effective in the context of a healthy diet and exercise. If you want to get a maximum benefit, just doing it with the drugs alone will always be somewhat of a challenge."

Several companies are testing drugs that target the genetic switch in people, Evans said.

While an effective weight loss pill is the "holy grail" of obesity research, there are plenty of reasons to be cautious about the new finding, said Leah Whigham, a research scientist who studies nutrition at the University of Wisconsin, in Madison.

"The most obvious caution is that this work is in mice, which are much different from humans and have different energy expenditure mechanisms. It remains to be seen if this research can translate into something useful for humans," she said.

Also, mice are much more similar to each other than humans. "Something that works in all mice of a given strain might not be as effective across a population of humans with differing genetic, ethnic, cultural environmental backgrounds," she explained.

Still, Whigham said, "that doesn't mean this research isn't very exciting. It is just very preliminary at this point."

Via health.yahoo.com

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Alli - arguable weight loss effects

For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration approved selling a prescription-only diet aid over the counter. Although Alli has been selling quickly, its "treatment effects" are controversial.

Alli, which went on sale June 15, is half as strong as its prescribed version, Xenical, said Brian Jones, the vice president of communications for GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Alli, in an e-mail interview.

According to an Alli brochure, the active ingredient, orlistat, prevents digestion of approximately 25 percent of fat consumed. Instead, it is released as "treatment effects," including gas, frequent bowel movements and oily discharge.

Effects are reduced if the fat intake for each meal is around 15 grams and calories remain low.

If Alli is used with diet and exercise, a person can "lose about 50 percent more weight than dieting alone," the brochure says.

Sheida Guilak, Cal State Fullerton graduate and pharmacy manager of Target in Fullerton, said Alli just "might give some people a jump start [in their diet]."

Jones defended Alli when asked about its possible abuse and said GlaxoSmithKline has been candid about treatment effects.

"Post-marketing surveillance recorded shows no signal of people with eating disorders finding any appeal in Alli. If you are not eating, there is no benefit; if you are binge eating, the treatment effects would be undesirable," Jones said.

But what about nasty treatment effects?

Senior Dustin Martinez, a kinesiology major at CSUF said peers in one of his classes take diet pills similar to Alli with warnings about "anal leakage," but they say these side effects do not happen to them.

When asked if he would recommend Alli to someone trying to lose weight Martinez said he would.

"Yeah, because if they're serious about a diet and they eat a lot of fast food, they'll learn the hard way. I think it will help them regulate their diet."

Via www.dailytitan.com

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