fda-related stories
Ephedrine: An FDA-Banned Diet Pill
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Ephedra-containing products stimulate the central nervous system and often include additional stimulants, such as caffeine, to promote weight loss. According to the Food and Drug Administration, ephedra has been found in weight-loss supplements and products to increase energy levels and athletic performance. Some variations of ephedra have even been sold as alternatives to illegal drugs.
The use of ephedrine has been controversial because of side effects such as high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, nerve damage, muscle injury, psychosis and memory loss. More serious results have also been reported, including heart attack, stroke, seizure and death. Because ephedrine and supplements containing it have been linked to unreasonable risk of illness or injury, according to the Mayo Clinic, ephedrine is currently banned in the U.S.
To learn about other potentially dangerous weight-loss drugs, take a look at our list of dangerous diet pills.
FDA to Crack Down on 'Smart Choices' Food Labels
Food labels: Is more regulation needed? Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
That's about to change. According to Reuters, the FDA is looking into labels like "Smart Choices," which the FDA found was displayed on foods with up to almost 50 percent sugar -- definitely misleading. If the FDA finds that any of the claims violate federal rules, they "will take enforcement action against any egregious examples," FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg tells Reuters.
The non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest points out that simplified front-of-label symbols and nutrition information would greatly enable people to make better choices about their diets. When foods like Cocoa Puffs, Fruit Loops and Fudgsicles have symbols saying they're good choices, one has to wonder what constitutes a bad choice.
Cheerios: Drug or Breakfast Cereal?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has thrown a stern warning in the direction of General Mills. Cheerios is not a cholesterol drug, they remind the cereal maker in a letter on May 5, so it should stop acting like one on the yellow box. The little toasted O's stepped over the line with the claim that a regular diet of Cheerios could "lower your cholesterol 4 percent in six weeks." The FDA is not thrilled that Cheerios is marketing itself as a cholesterol drug on its box and website, and sent a detailed letter letting the company know it had waded too far into drug territory.
With an ever expanding list of claims made by food manufacturers, from flavored water claiming to be equivalent to eating a piece of fruit, to cereal lowering your heart numbers -- Cheerios is just one example of a growing trend of health claims on processed foods.
FDA Advisory Prompts Hydroxycut Recall
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a consumer advisory today for some Hydroxycut products.
The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems involving liver problems and jaundice, and one death from liver failure. A 19-year-old male died in 2007, but the FDA didn't learn of his death until March of this year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
It is unclear at this time which ingredients are harmful. The company, which sold nine million units in 2008, has agreed to voluntarily recall a range of its products.
Click to see which items are part of the Hydroxycut recall.
For more information on diet pills and supplements, click on the gallery below.
Weight Loss Supplements
By Karen Asp
If you believe the ads, you just need to pop a pill to take off extra pounds. If only it were that easy. There may, however, be a few supplements that can aid your weight loss, keeping in mind, that you still need to eat healthy and exercise regularly. To find out what works and what doesn't we tapped Connie Diekman, R.D., director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and immediate past president of the American Dietetic Association and Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., board-certified nutritionist and author of 'The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth,' for the scoop on 10 common supplements.
Hydroxycut: Avoid Most Products
In May 2009, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products because some are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. As a result, the company has agreed to recall 14 Hydroxycut products from the market. For a complete list of recalled products, visit the FDA's website.
AP
Ephedra: Avoid At All Cost
Even though the FDA banned ephedra, this stimulant has been showing up online. Studies have shown that ephedra can aid weight loss, but the side effects, which include high blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, heart attacks, and stroke, can be deadly.
Chromium: Try It
Chromium, which occurs naturally in the body, helps regulate blood sugar and utilize carbohydrate, and although few studies have shown any correlation between chromium supplements and fat loss, chromium may still aid weight loss. That's because chromium helps keep insulin levels down. High levels of insulin, after all, make fat burning almost impossible. Although chromium may not cause weight loss, by lowering insulin, it may remove an obstacle to taking off weight.
How to Take It: Try taking 1,000 mcg of chromium picolinate or chromium nicotinate daily.
Guarana: Skip It
In supplement form, guarana is a concentrated source of caffeine that's supposed to increase your metabolism. However, while it might help you drop pounds temporarily, it doesn't provide lasting weight loss and could raise blood pressure and heart rate.
Green Tea Extract: Try It
Green tea contains a compound called EGCG that may stimulate metabolism. Several studies, in fact, have linked green tea extract to a reduction in body fat and increase in thermogenesis, or the rate at which calories are burned.
How To Take It: Pop 270 mg per day or drink three cups of green tea a day.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Try It
Commonly called CLA, this amino acid exists in animal foods like beef and dairy products. It plays a role in the health of your muscles and tissues and may help you lose abdominal fat.
How To Take It: Have 3.4 grams daily.
Yerba Mate: Skip It
Yerba mate is a concentrated plant source of caffeine that's supposed to boost metabolism. Although you might see a temporary drop in weight, changes aren't long-lasting. Plus, as with all stimulants, side effects include increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Recent studies have also shown yerba mate may increase the risk of some cancers.
Chitosan: Skip It
This bulking agent comes from the bones and shells of shellfish, and manufacturers claim it suppresses appetite and blocks fat absorption. Yet no studies show any weight loss benefits.
Pyruvate: Skip It
Pyruvate, which exists in foods like red wine, apples and cheese, promises to make you lean and help you shed body fat. The bad news? No study has shown that consuming pyruvate in supplement form will have this effect on your body.
Getty Images
Diet Pills - FDA Investigates 69 of Them
Diet pills are under investigation, as they should be. They might work for some people but even on a good day, they mess with the body in ways good old fashioned diet and exercise don't. Sorry Wynonna, we're just not fans of pills around here.The Food and Drug Administration is adding 41 products to last month's alert about tainted diet pills. There are now 69 suspect drugs out there. And the FDA is buying them, testing them and considering what to do about it all. Criminal charges are a possibility.
Here are some of the problem pills:
- Sibutramine, the active ingredient in the FDA-approved weight-loss drug Meridia. It can cause seizures, heart attack or stroke. Ouch.
- Rimonabant, the active ingredient in Acomplia, not-FDA approved. Approval has been withdrawn in Europe too.
- Phenytoin, an anti-seizure medication.
- Phenolphthalein, a suspected carcinogen.
- Bumetamide, a diuretic, which is connected to a now-recalled weight-loss pill called StarCaps.
- A "large majority" -- but not all -- of the diet pills are made in China.
So, here's the deal. You should wary of any drug, under FDA investigation or not, that promises effortless weight loss. The only thing you ought to be popping in your mouth is a bunch of nutritious food and some water to wash it down. Really. We feel strongly about this. That's why we're all over the America Takes It Off program. Nothing iffy about what you'll find here.
Diet Coke Plus is More of a Minus
Diet Coke Plus is supposed to include quite a few vitamins and minerals right in with your favorite soda. But the FDA and the Coca Cola company are in the middle of a he-said/she-said type of battle. Coca Cola stands by its product, but the FDA says it doesn't meet their standards.In my opinion, the whole concept of getting vitamins and minerals from soda is ridiculous. If you want a diet soda, then go ahead and treat yourself. But know that it's a treat. Soda just shouldn't be considered part of your daily nutrition no matter how many vitamins and minerals are added into the mix. It's the liquid equivalent of those glorified candy bars that are considered health food because they have a little extra protein thrown in.
You're much better of getting your vitamins and minerals from natural sources, such as fruits and vegetables.
Weight Loss Products - Beware the Hidden Dangers
The old weight-loss-in-a-pill wish. I think most of us who have a few pounds to lose have wished it could be that easy from time to time. And when you watch the commercials on TV, they certainly make it seem like magic. Think about it -- one second an overweight person is pictured and the next second -- BAM! -- that very same person is thin and somehow tanner and more smiley. What a miracle, right? Not only do the pills help you lose weight, they must also make you tanner, happier and give you better hair. Who wouldn't want some of that magic?Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Weight loss requires work and a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. And, while some weight loss pills undoubtedly do help, there are associated risks. Jacki recently told us about the risks with some of the more popular weight-loss medications, most of which are available by prescription only. But a lot of the lesser known medications can be risky, too.
The FDA listed 28 weight loss products that contain hidden -- and potentially harmful -- ingredients. No, thank you. Check out the gallery for more tried and true ways to shed pounds.
What's in your energy drink?
My husband has an energy drink habit. It's something we disagree on. I think that it's better to boost your energy through a good night's sleep and maybe a morning coffee, that energy drinks have too much sugar and possibly too much caffeine. He likes the kick the drinks give him. He's even known to buy an off brand from the dollar store, which gives me even greater pause.The energy drink market has exploded over the last few years, and have become highly popular, especially among young men. But I'm not the only one who's concerned. Forbes recently interviewed Roland Griffiths, a John Hopkins scientist who has studied the effects of caffeine. He, among others, is calling for labeling of the drinks by the FDA. Griffiths says that because some energy drinks have as little as 50 mg of caffeine, while others pack as much as 500 mg, drinking an energy drink is tantamount to "drinking a beverage and not knowing, not being able to taste, whether it's straight vodka you just drank or beer."
Though Griffiths has concerns about the overuse of energy drinks, all he and his peers are urging right now is labeling requirements so that consumers can be aware what they're drinking. Seems reasonable to me ... what do you think?
High fructose corn syrup launches ad campaign
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
Have you seen these commercials? I can't say that I disagree with part of their message -- inform yourself about what you're eating. The problem is that the HFCS industry wants to be the ones informing you via their website, SweetSurprise.com. And, sorry, but that's not exactly an unbiased source.
So why are these ads coming out now? There could be many reasons, including the fact that major food retailers, like Kraft, are starting to label products as HFCS-free because so many people are trying to cut it out of their diets. The fact of the matter is that it's extremely difficult to avoid HFCS -- it's everywhere. A number of studies have shown a link between HFCS and obesity, especially in children. HFCS doesn't give you the full feeling you should have after consuming it, leading you to consume more calories and gain weight.
Your skin craves oatmeal
Sometimes I crave oatmeal and whip up a hot bowl with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries on top. Apparently, my skin craves the fiber-rich Super Food too.Oatmeal's grainy little flakes perform mini miracles when applied to skin, says RealAge. It whisks away dead cells, irritation, and redness and leaves skin soft and glowing. Hey, even the FDA says oatmeal is effective for relieving dryness and inflammation, including insect stings, rashes, and eczema. No wonder finely powdered (colloidal) oatmeal is used in body soaks, scrubs, moisturizers, and soaps.
New York City dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD, recommends using a colloidal oatmeal mask every week or two. She offers her own body treatment recipe right here.
Irradiated greens -- Coming to a store near you
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Anyone who was scared off greens after the massive spinach recall two years ago might find themselves eating a big spinach salad soon. The FDA is allowing spinach and lettuce manufacturers to irradiate their products before they hit grocery store shelves. Irradiation, which is the process of exposing an object to radiation, kills dangerous bacteria like E. coli, salmonella, and listeria.Irradiation won't sterilize the greens, but the FDA is hoping it will drastically reduce the risk of outbreaks like the one that killed four people in 2006. But critics wonder if irradiation is the answer. I worry that steps like this one will lull consumers into believing that the problems with our food safety have been fixed, and that it takes the focus away from farming and manufacturing processes that put us at risk in the first place.
It's not clear from the article whether irradiated spinach and greens will be labeled. Some people worry about the long-term health effects of eating irradiated foods, but the FDA assures consumers that there is no radiation left behind, nor does the process affect taste, texture, or nutritional value. What do you think?
What's the shelf life of canned foods?
If you can't remember how long that can of beans has been sitting on your pantry shelf and there's no apparent expiration date to clue you in, then toss it. If you do know how long you've been hanging on to the goods you've got stashed around your kitchen, here are some good rules of thumb.The FDA says that high-acid canned foods, like tomato, grapefruit, and pineapple, can stay put for 12 to 18 months if kept in a cool, clean, dry place. If stored correctly, canned meat and most vegetables can stick around for, get this: Two to five years. Just keep these few items in mind when tending to your cans.
- Cans that are dented or rusty may contain food that is unsafe to eat.
- Throw away any cans that are bulging or leaking -- signs that the food inside is spoiled.
- When eating canned foods, use the older cans first.
Don't eat lobster tomalley
Dreaming of a lobster feast? If so and you make good on your dreams, you'll want to steer clear of lobster tomalley.Maine officials are recommending consumers avoid eating tomalley after tests revealed high levels of toxins in some lobsters. Lobster meat is perfectly safe. It's the tomalley, a soft green substance found in the body of the lobster, that poses a risk.
Apparently, high levels of toxic algae known as red tide have been found along Maine's coast this summer, causing all sorts of problems. Regardless, the FDA has long advised consumers to not eat tomalley, which is considered a delicacy to some.
In need of vitamin D
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Caught an old rerun of an Oprah show last night. Watched just long enough to hear a very enthusiastic doctor offering advice on vitamin D. All women need to have their vitamin D levels checked, she said, because most women don't get enough. And if we're not getting enough, we need to know this so we can make necessary adjustments. Vitamin D is critical to our health -- a deficiency can result in bone problems, cancer, high blood pressure, depression, and immune-system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis. and diabetes. We need about 2,000 international units of it each day, says the good doctor, not the 400 currently recommended by the FDA.
Oprah said she's had her vitamin D levels checked. They were low. No surprise. So she started taking a supplement to bump her into a better range. Supplements are good. So is the sun -- just 15 minutes per day, and don't burn. And of course, vitamin D rich foods, like wild salmon, shrimp, skim and low-fat milk, Shittake mushrooms, fortified yogurts, and fortified cereals.
Do you know your vitamin D levels? I don't. But I should.
Tomato scare may not be about tomatoes: Cilantro and peppers join the list
After all but taking down the tomato industry with their recent recall, the FDA has yet to find the culprit of the current salmonella outbreak. Now they're turning their attention to foods like hot peppers and cilantro, noting that it might not be tomatoes themselves, but a food that is commonly eaten with tomatoes.With the number of people who have fallen ill quickly approaching 1,000, it's clear that an answer needs to be found soon. The FDA has been focusing on tomatoes coming from Mexico, but they've yet to pinpoint a source.
For more on this outbreak, and for information on what specific foods to avoid, visit the FDA's website.
