Word: ephedra
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What's distressing is that although they don't work, they are not risk free. Most contain the controversial ingredient ephedra (a Chinese herb also known as mahuang) or ephedrine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received reports of 80 deaths and about 1,400 instances of adverse effects that may be associated with the use of the herb, and has issued strong warnings about the use of ephedrine-containing products. Their potential side effects include heart attack, stroke, seizures, psychosis and death. The products are even packaged with a long list of user warnings...
HERBAL HAZARD You may not have heard of ephedrine, but some 12 million Americans consume the stimulant--extracted from the herb mahuang--in dozens of over-the-counter weight-loss and energy-boosting potions. Now a report identifies ephedra as the likely culprit behind at least 85 cases of heart attack, stroke and other serious reactions over the past two years. The supplement industry disputes the findings, but the study's authors want the FDA to set a "safe dose" level and require manufacturers to spell out just how much ephedra their products contain...
Metabolife claims to help people lose weight by speeding up the body's metabolism, using a combination of caffeine and the herbal stimulant ephedra. While two university studies have endorsed Metabolife's effectiveness for weight loss, scientists say its long-term safety requires further scrutiny. The Food and Drug Administration, which has limited power to regulate herbal remedies, has tried in vain to institute tougher labeling and dosage rules for ephedrine dietary supplements like Metabolife. Ellis and his peers have lobbied heavily to block such oversight, claiming the FDA is basing its concerns on anecdotal evidence...