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A warning was recently issued by the FDA regarding a sizable number of weight loss supplements found to have potentially dangerous ingredients. Many of these supplements claim to be “natural” or contain only “herbal” ingredients. Very worryingly they actually contain pharmaceutical ingredients and other chemicals.

FDA analysis revealed that the undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients in some of these supplements included rimonabant (a banned obesity drug associated with the risk of serious side effects including psychiatric problems and even suicide), sibutramine (a prescription-only weight loss drug), phenytoin (an anti-seizure medication), and phenolphthalein (a suspected cancer causing agent). Some of the amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients far exceeded the FDA-recommended levels, making these rogue diet supplements a serious health hazard.

The following supplements are listed on the FDA alert:

• 2 Day Diet
• 3 Day Diet
• 7 Day Herbal Slim
• 7 Diet Day/Night Formula
• Extrim Plus
• 999 Fitness Essence
• Fatloss Slimming
• 8 Factor Diet
• GMP
• Imelda Perfect Slim
• 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
• Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet
• Lida DaiDaihua
• Miaozi Slim Capsules
• Perfect Slim
• Perfect Slim 5x
• Phyto Shape
• ProSlim Plus
• Royal Slimming Formula
• Slim 3 in 1
• Slim Express 360
• 3x Slimming Power
• Slimtech
• Somotrim
• Superslim
• TripleSlim
• Zhen de Shou
• Venom Hyperdrive 3.0

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned dieters and body builders to stop using Hydroxycut, a widely sold weight loss supplement. The FDA has received 23 reports of liver problems, including the death of a 19-year-old boy living in the Southwest. The teenager died in 2007, and the death was reported to the FDA in March 2009.

The FDA has stated that the maker of the dietary supplement has agreed to recall 14 Hydroxycut products. Sold in grocery stores and pharmacies, Hydroxycut is advertised as consisting of natural ingredients. At least 9 million packages were sold last year, the FDA said.

Side effects experienced by Hydroxycut users ranged from jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, to liver failure. One received a transplant and another was placed on a list to await a new liver.

There was no immediate comment from the U.S. distributor of the diet pill, Iovate Health Sciences, headquartered near Buffalo, N.Y. The product is manufactured by a Canadian company.

Dietary supplements are not as tightly regulated by the government as medications. Manufacturers do not need to demonstrate to the FDA that their products are safe and effective before they can market them to consumers. But the FDA monitors aftermarket reports for adverse effects. In recent years companies have been put under stricter requirements to alert the FDA when health problems are reported.

It appears to have taken so long to identify the serious health issue with the consumption of Hydroxycut because the cases of liver damage were rare and the FDA has no authority to review supplements before they are marketed. As a result isolated adverse events are often difficult to follow. The FDA relies on voluntary reports to detect such problems, and many cases are never reported, officials acknowledge.

So far it has not been possible to determine which Hydroxycut ingredients are potentially toxic, partially because the formulation of the products has changed several times. A study in a medical journal, last month, raised questions about one ingredient, hydroxycitric acid, derived from a tropical fruit. The article said this fruit extract could potentially damage the liver.

Which products are covered by this voluntary recall?

The following products are covered by this voluntary recall:
• Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Capsules
• Hydroxycut Max Liquid Capsules
• Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
• Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
• Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
• Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
• Hydroxycut 24
• Hydroxycut Carb Control
• Hydroxycut Natural

Does the advisory state that Hydroxycut-branded products should no longer be taken?

Yes. The FDA’s advisory states that, “Consumers who have these products are urged to stop using them.”

What if I want to return my Hydroxycut product. How do I do that?

For product refunds, consumers are directed to return their product directly to the place of purchase.

A healthy living campaign called the ‘Change4Life initiative’, targeted at Britain’s soaring obesity rates, is being launched by the Government. The ‘cartoon’ TV adverts for the campaign show scenes from a bygone era, when people took more exercise. These contrast with scenes of modern families eating pizza and children playing video games.

Adverts introducing the new obesity initiative will begin appearing in the next few days. According to the Department of Health, the idea is to “kick start a lifestyle revolution for every family” by promoting healthy eating and exercise.

Firms including Cadbury, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, Kraft, Mars, Nestle and PepsiCola will be participating alongside supermarkets Asda, Tesco and the Co-operative Group.

People with weight problems will be able to call a dedicated helpline and speak to specially-trained advisors for advice on exercise, nutrition and support services. A website has also been set up to unite more than 45,000 groups and projects aimed at promoting healthy living.

The Government has stated that if this three-year campaign does not succeed, it may bring in tighter regulations governing food companies and retailers. Data suggests that 90% of today’s children will be overweight or obese by 2050 unless action is taken now, putting them at increased risk of heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Obesity related health issues will cost the UK £50 billion by 2050 if the weight gain trend continues.

Slimmers have been warned by the FDA to avoid nearly 30 weight-loss products sold on the internet due to potentially harmful ingredients.

Many of these products are marketed as ‘natural’ fat burners. The manufactures claim that they are new and improved versions of ancient health remedies from Asia. Sold globally to dieters via the internet, these weight loss products promise a quick fix.

The potentially dangerous dieting products include Zhen de Shou, Imelda Perfect Slimming, 2 Day Diet, 24 Hours Diet, ProSlim Plus, 999 Fitness Essence, Miaozi Slim Capsules, Slim Express 360, Royal Slimming Formula and Somotrin.

The FDA stated that these products contain unlisted ingredients, including high doses of a powerful prescription anti-obesity drug, as well as a chemical linked to cancer.

Laboratory analysis revealed that 28 of the diet pills tested could put users in hospital. Nearly all were found to contain Sibutramine, a strong appetite suppressant similar to amphetamines. Sibutramine is also the chemical ingredient in the prescription drug Meridia, which is used to treat obesity Side effects can include heart attacks, strokes and heart palpitations, especially in people with a history of high blood pressure or heart problems.

Some of these weight loss pills were found to contain nearly three times the recommended daily dose of Sibutramine. Several contain Phenolphthalein, a chemical used as a laxative, but which is now being withdrawn from the market because of suspected cancer risks.

None of the slimming supplements, believed to have originated in China, lists the dangerous chemicals on their packaging or containers. The FDA is considering criminal charges against some of the companies, because they have not responded to requests for product recalls.

According to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society Conference recently, women who sleep five hours or less a night weigh more than those who sleep 7 hours or more. The 16 year study found that women who slept for 5 hours a night were 32% more likely to exhibit significant weight gain and 15% more likely to become obese over the course of the study, as compared with women who slept for 7 hours.

The study consisted of around 68,000 middle-aged women. They were asked to monitor the amount of time they spent sleeping and to report their weight every two years for the duration of the study.

On average, women who slept for 5 hours or less per night weighed 5.4 pounds more, at the beginning of the study, and gained an additional 1.6 pounds over the following 10 years, than those sleeping for 7 hours.

The researchers looked at the women’s diets and exercise patterns to see if this could account in part of the findings. There appeared to be no difference in exercise patterns, such as running, jogging or playing tennis, between the various sleep groups.

Previous studies have shown, however, that after only a few days of sleep restriction hormones increase stimulation of the appetite, one possible cause for the additional weight gain.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. For example, a person who is 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighs 197 pounds, has a BMI of 30. An estimated 65% of Americans are now overweight or obese, compared to 1980 when 15% of Americans were obese.

According to the annual report recently released by the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, adult obesity rates have increased in 37 States. This is despite public service campaigns warning about the health risks associated with being overweight.

More than 25 percent of adults are obese in 28 States, up from 19 States last year. And more than 20 percent of adults are obese in every State except Colorado. In 1991, no State had an obesity rate greater than 20 percent.

Despite widespread recognition that obesity is endangering the health of millions of Americans, the country is still failing to respond adequately to the problem. The 5 States with the highest obesity rates are Mississippi (31.7 percent), West Virginia (30.6 percent), Alabama (30.1 percent), Louisiana (29.5 percent) and South Carolina (29.2 percent). The 5 States with the lowest obesity rates are Colorado (18.4 percent), Hawaii (20.7 percent), Connecticut (20.8 percent), Massachusetts (20.9 percent), and Vermont (21.1 percent).

The report stated that rates of type 2 diabetes, a disease typically associated with obesity, had increased in 26 States last year. Four States now have diabetes rates above 10 percent. Besides type 2 diabetes, obesity has been linked to coronary heart disease and stroke, osteoarthritis, gall bladder disease, liver disease, cancer and pregnancy complications, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

While a number of promising policies designed to promote physical activity and good nutrition have been introduced in communities, the report’s findings suggest that these policies are not being implemented at levels sufficient to reduce obesity rates.

Currently there is no information displayed on bottles of wine, spirits and most beers relating to calorie content. This fact was highlighted by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). The Federation recently compiled a list (Alcohol Facts) of the top 26 selling domestic and imported alcohol brands with their alcohol, calorie and carbohydrate content per serving.

Public health officials repeatedly warn that consuming too much alcohol contributes to obesity and a range of diseases.

Using the standard serving size for each category, the CFA found that alcohol per serving ranged from 0.42 fluid ounces to 0.70 fluid ounces, depending upon the specific brand and type of beverage. In contrast, calorie and carbohydrate content varied significantly among the categories and bands. For wines, calories per serving ranged from 105 calories for a merlot to 125 calories for a cabernet sauvignon. The average was 118 calories per serving. In the case of spirits, calories per serving varied from 86 calories for spiced rum to 120 calories for gin. The average was 98 calories per serving. The greatest variation in calories was evident among beers. Light beers (5 brands) averaged 100 calories per serving and regular beers averaged 140 calories (5 brands) per serving.

Differences between beverages were greatest for carbohydrate content. There are no carbohydrates in spirits. In the case of wines carbohydrates ranged from 0.8 grams per serving for chardonnay to 5 grams per serving for cabernet sauvignon. Among different beers and malt beverages, carbohydrates ranged from 3 grams per serving for light beer to 38 grams per serving for a flavored malt beverage.

Summary

The Flat Belly Diet appears to be a sound diet but offers nothing particularly novel or revolutionary. The basic diet plan involves a 1600 calorie Mediterranean-style diet with an emphasis on wholesome, unrefined foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, seeds, lean protein, and very little red meat. The diet is based around MUFAs, an acronym which means “monounsaturated fatty acids”. MUFAs are a valuable addition to the diet, but they are not “the antidote to belly fat”. There is no miracle diet cure for belly fat. Complex restricted diets requiring calorie counting, and MUFAs at every meal, are unlikely to succeed any better than many other calorie controlled diets.

Overview

There is a huge marketing campaign behind the Flat Belly Diet book. The editors have launched not just a diet, but a book, a cookbook, a website, an online program and more. They have made appearances on the Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America and many other TV and radio talk shows.

The Flat Belly Diet promises a flat belly and weight loss of up to 15 pounds in 32 days. The diet book is written by Liz Vaccariello, editor in chief of Prevention Magazine, along with Cynthia Sass, nutrition director at Prevention.

According to the authors, the key component of the Flat Belly Diet that attacks abdominal fat is monounsaturated fats, or MUFAs. These are the healthy fats found in olives, avocados, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, soybean, flax, and olive and sunflower oils. The authors emphasize that exercise is not a mandatory part of the Flat Belly Diet. They claim that weigh loss can be achieved by simply following the diet.

The Flat Belly Diet

The diet plan (based on the famous Mediterranean diet) involves eating MUFAs with every meal. That is rule number one. The other two rules are; stick to 400 calories per meal, and never go for more than 4 hours without eating. The daily calorie limit is 1600.

Before starting on the 28 day plan, dieters are asked to prepare their bodies by reducing food intake to 1200 – 1400 calories per day for a 4 day period. This preparation time is designed to reduce bloating, and get dieters into the mind-set of a healthy eating plan. During the jump-start, dieters drink 2 liters of “sassy water” a day. This is a blend of spices, herbs, citrus fruit, and cucumber. Exercise is optional but encouraged. An entire chapter is devoted to the flat belly workout with diagrams of exercises, walking plans, and a 28-day workout plan.

The basic diet is one of calorie restriction. The aim is to eat 4 meals a day, each consisting of 400 calories. Naturally, dieters will lose weight if they have been eating 2,000 or more calories a day. There is nothing revolutionary in that. So in essence the Flat Belly Diet is a basic calorie counting diet. Experts agree that the eating plan can work, but largely because the diet itself is sound, not because there is anything particularly special about MUFAs.

Whether dieters are vegetarian, or meat eaters, have food allergies, or are lactose intolerant, this plan can be adapted to meet individual needs. Strictly speaking, dieters do not count calories. Instead, they choose from a list of 28 interchangeable mix-and-match breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snack packs. Food lists with portion sizes and calories allow flexibility in creating snack packs. Eighty recipes are included with nutrient analysis of calories, protein, carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and fiber.

Flat Belly Diet claims

Lose up to 15 pounds in 32 days: Experts consider that losing 15 pounds in 32 days is generally attributable, in no small part, to losing water weight, and not fat. A pound of fat equates to 3500 calories, so to lose 15 pounds of fat in 32 days, it would be necessary to burn off 1640 calories each day – not an easy thing to achieve without very vigorous exercise. Real fat loss on diets is slower. The recommended safe rate of real fat loss is 1-2 pounds per week.

Never do a single crunch: Proper toning of the belly area is best achieved through exercise of the underlying muscles, specifically abdominal crunches. The diet underplays the importance of exercising the abdomen.

Conquer emotional eating: Easier said than done. There are many causes of overeating and weight gain. The issues involved are often complex, and are best dealt with by qualified professionals and not diet books.

Eat delicious foods and never feel hungry: Most of the recipes are relatively low calorie (which is what actually makes them work). There will be dieters, however, whose appetites will not be satiated on 400 calories per meal.

Pros

• Experts agree that weight loss is possible using the Flat Belly Diet
• The diet is supported by a book, a cookbook and a website

Cons

• The book costs over $30
• The diet program is gimmicky
• Dieters are encouraged to join an online paid subscription program

Conclusion

Although the holy grail of dieting is to lose weight with no effort, the bottom line is that the body must burn more calories than it consumes in order to do so. No weight loss can take place without a caloric deficit. The healthiest way to do achieve this is by a combination of healthy eating and exercise. There is nothing particularly groundbreaking about the Flat Belly Diet.

For more information check out the website at FlatBellyDiet.com