Weight Debate

Common Names - chamomile, German chamomile
Latin Names - Matricaria recutita, Chamomilla recutita

There are two types of chamomile that are used for health conditions – German chamomile and Roman chamomile. German chamomile and Roman chamomile are thought to have similar effects on the body, but the German variety is more commonly used in the United States.

The flowering tops of the chamomile plant are used to make teas, tablets, capsules, and liquid extracts. read more »

(January 12, 2011) The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has informed a company called Shaping Beauty Incorporated located in Southampton, Pennsylvania, that their weight loss dietary supplement sold and marketed by them, called Celerite Slimming Capsules, contains an undeclared drug ingredient called Sibutramine, which is used as an appetite suppressant for weight loss. Sibutramine was withdrawn from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons.

Celerite Slimming Capsules were sold and distributed nationwide via the internet at www.shapingbeauty.com and other websites such as www.celeriteweightloss.com. Claims made for Celerite Slimming Capsules falsely state that it is “safe” and an “all-natural herbal weight loss remedy.” read more »

Dietary supplements are products made by many manufacturers that:

• Are taken by mouth in the form of tablets, capsules, gelcaps, softgels, powders, or liquids.
• Are intended to supplement a person’s diet.
• Contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs or other botanicals, enzymes, and/or other ingredients.
• Are labeled as being a dietary supplement.

A person takes dietary supplements in an effort to stay healthy and to be well. read more »

Myth: Natural or herbal weight loss products are safe and effective.

The fact is… A weight loss product that claims to be natural or herbal is not necessarily safe.

Be Aware
Natural or herbal weight loss products are not usually scientifically tested to prove that they are safe or that they work.

Herbal products containing ephedra (now banned by the U.S. Government) have caused serious health problems and even death in some people. Newer products that claim to be ephedra-free are not necessarily danger-free, because these products may contain ingredients similar to ephedra.

Always talk with your doctor before using any weight loss product. Some natural or herbal weight loss products can be harmful to your health.

Common Names – Flaxseed, flaxseed oil, linseed
Latin Name – Linum usitatissimum

Flaxseed
Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant.

Flaxseed is high in omega 3 fatty acids and lignans – phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens.

It is recommended to grin the flaxseeds in a grinder (a coffee grinder works great) because whole flaxseed may pass through your intestine undigested, and you won’t get all of the health benefits from it if you eat if whole. Flaxseed is also available in powder form.

Flaxseed is high in fiber and is an effective laxative to improve digestive health or relieve constipation. When eating flaxseed, you should drink plenty of water, otherwise it can worsen constipation or, in rare cases, even cause intestinal blockage.

Flaxseed is used for high cholesterol levels, heart disease, osteoporosis (pronounced ah-stee-oh-per-oh-sis), hot flashes, breast pain, and is used to reduce cancer risks.

You can mix flaxseed with water, juice, protein shakes, smoothies, cereal, applesauce, oatmeal, or any of your favorite foods.

Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil comes from flaxseeds, but it lacks lignans (phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens), and it does not have the fiber that the seeds have. Flaxseed oil is available in liquid and capsule form.

Flaxseed oil is used for different conditions than flaxseed, including arthritis.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Although there have been few studies of flaxseed safety in humans, flaxseed and flaxseed oil supplements seem to be well tolerated for most people, with few side effects reported.
• The fiber in flaxseed may lower the body’s ability to absorb medications that are taken by mouth. Flaxseed should not be taken at the same time as any conventional oral medications or other dietary supplements.
• Both flaxseed and flaxseed oil can cause diarrhea in some people.
• The use of flaxseed or flaxseed oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended. Flaxseed may stimulate menstruation or have other hormonal effects and could be harmful to pregnancy.
• Men with prostate cancer or men who are at risk for prostate cancer should avoid flaxseed and alpha-linolenic acid supplements until more information is available.
• One study reports that the menstrual period may be altered in women who take flaxseed powder by mouth daily.
• Because of the possible estrogen-like effects, flaxseed ( not flaxseed oil) should be used cautiously in women with hormone sensitive conditions such as:
  • Endometriosis
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovary
• Flaxseed and flaxseed oil may increase the risk of bleeding.
• Large amounts of flaxseed by mouth may cause the intestines to stop moving (ileus).
• People with narrowing of the esophagus or intestine, ileus, or bowel obstruction should avoid flaxseed (not flaxseed oil).
• People with high blood triglycerides should avoid flaxseed and flaxseed oil due to unclear effects on triglyceride levels in animal research.
• People with diabetes should use caution if taking flaxseed products by mouth, as the omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed and flaxseed oil may increase blood sugar levels.
• Based on animal studies, overdose of flaxseed may cause shortness of breath, rapid breathing, weakness, or difficulty walking, and may cause seizures or paralysis.
• Flaxseed or flaxseed oil taken by mouth may cause mania or hypomania in people with bipolar disorder.
• People with diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) should avoid flaxseed due to its possible laxative effects.

August, 16, 2010

Ads Feature Phony Endorsements Attributed to Oprah Winfrey, Rachael Ray

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a U.S. district court has ordered the marketers of acai berry supplements, ‘colon cleansers,’ and other products to temporarily halt an Internet sales scheme that allegedly scammed consumers out of $30 million or more in 2009 alone through deceptive advertising and unfair billing practices. The FTC will seek a permanent prohibition. Since 2007, victimized consumers have flooded law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau with more than 2,800 complaints about the company.

Acai berry supplements, derived from acai palm trees that are native to Central and South America, have become popular in recent years. Last year, the Better Business Bureau named fake “free” trial offers – including those for acai supplements offered by the defendants in this case – as one of the “Top 10 Scams and Rip Offs of 2009.”

“Too many ‘free’ offers come with strings attached,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “In this case, the defendants promised buyers a ‘risk free’ trial and then illegally billed their credit cards again and again – and again. We estimate that about a million people have fallen victim to this scam. As if that weren’t enough, there were fake endorsements from celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray for a product that didn’t work in the first place.”

The court order halts the allegedly illegal conduct of Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc., imposes an asset freeze, and appoints a temporary receiver over CCN and several related companies, while the FTC moves forward with its case to stop the company’s bogus health claims and other deceptive and unfair conduct.

The FTC charged CCN, two individuals, and four related companies with multiple violations, including deceptively advertising AcaiPure, an acai berry supplement, as a weight-loss product, and Colopure, a colon cleansing supplement, as an aid for preventing cancer.

The FTC complaint alleges that to sell AcaiPure, the marketers made dramatic claims on their website, including:
“WARNING! AcaiPure Is Fast Weight Loss That Works. It Was Not Created For Those People Who Only Want To Lose A Few Measly Pounds. AcaiPure was created to help you achieve the incredible body you have always wanted… USE WITH CAUTION! Major weight loss in short periods of time may occur.”

In pitching Colopure, the defendants cited frightening statistics about colon cancer, while promising that their product would get rid of consumers’ “excess weight and toxic buildup.”

The marketers also deceived consumers about their purported “free” or “risk free” trial offers, and about the charges and refund terms consumers could expect, according to the FTC’s complaint. The FTC also alleges that the marketers made numerous additional unauthorized charges to consumers’ credit and debit card accounts.

The alleged deceptive practices include:

• Falsely claiming that using AcaiPure could lead to rapid and substantial weight loss. Consumers were told that “[m]ost consumers taking AcaiPure report weight loss anywhere from 10 to 25 pounds in the first month.”
• Making unproven claims that AcaiPure’s weight-loss claims are backed by “double-blind, placebo-controlled weight loss studies.”
• Deceptively claiming that Colopure could help prevent colon cancer because it would “cleanse your entire system,” “detoxify your organs,” and break down and remove “toxic waste matter which may have been stuck in the folds and wrinkles of your digestive system for years and years.”
• Falsely claiming that celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray have endorsed products marketed by Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc. In marketing AcaiPure, the defendants declared on their homepage, “Acai Berry rated #1 SUPERFOOD by Rachael Ray.” A photo of Oprah appeared on the homepage, next to a quote that read in part, “Studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world!” In fact, in declarations to the FTC, both celebrities denied endorsing AcaiPure.
• Deceptively claiming that the marketers will provide full refunds to all consumers who request them, and that consumers who paid a nominal fee for a “free” trial supply of supplements would incur no risks or obligations. In fact, many consumers found it all but impossible to avoid paying full price for the products, typically $39.95 to $59.95.
• Failing to adequately disclose that consumers would be automatically enrolled in a membership program and charged for additional monthly supplies of a product.
• Failing to adequately disclose that consumers would be automatically charged for items other than the trial product unless they opted out.
• Failing to adequately disclose the terms and conditions of trial programs, membership programs, and additional charges.
• Making numerous unauthorized charges to consumers’ credit and debit card accounts.
• Debiting consumers’ bank accounts on an automatic, recurring basis, without obtaining proper preauthorization. The unauthorized debits violated the FTC Act as well as the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E, according to the complaint.

“Visa is committed to ensuring that consumers trust digital currency when they shop online by protecting them from deceptive merchant marketing practices,” said Martin Elliott, Senior Business Leader, Payment System Risk, Visa Inc. “Deceptive merchant practices hurt the economy by eroding trust in e-commerce and undermining the vast majority of ethical merchants who deal and compete fairly. We have tightened enforcement of our rules against banks whose merchants generate excessive levels of cardholder disputes because of deceptive marketing. We also make it a priority to partner with law enforcement and agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and support their investigations such as this case.”

The FTC would like to thank the Better Business Bureau of Central, Northern & Western Arizona and Visa, Inc. for their invaluable assistance in this investigation.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and seek a temporary restraining order was 5-0. The FTC filed its complaint and requested a temporary restraining order against the defendants from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. On August 6, 2010, the court granted the request for the temporary restraining order.

The complaint also names as defendants Graham D. Gibson and Michael A. McKenzy, and four companies affiliated with Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc. – iLife Health and Wellness LLC; Simply Naturals LLC; Health and Beauty Solutions LLC; and Fit for Life LLC.

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 defendants have actually violated the law.

Source: United States Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov

Sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D!!

Vitamin D is an important nutrient that makes your bones stronger and helps prevent fractures.

You need about 20 minutes of sun each day, on the areas of your body that are normally exposed, such as your face and hands, to cause the chemical reaction in your skin that produces vitamin D.

Tips:
1. Sunlight that comes through glass, such as a window, will not cause your skin to make vitamin D.

2. You do not have to get 20 minutes of direct sun exposure all at one time. You can add up the minutes of exposure you get from things like walking to the end of your driveway to pick up your newspaper and walking through a parking lot to get to your car.

Caution:
If you can not get direct sunlight and decide to take vitamin D pills, ask your doctor for guidance. It would be virtually impossible to overdose on vitamin D from sun exposure, but vitamin D pills have harmful side effects if taken in excess.

Warning:
Remember… Despite the importance of the sun to vitamin D synthesis, it is wise to limit the exposure of your skin to sunlight and UV radiation from tanning beds. UV radiation is a carcinogen responsible for most of the estimated 1.5 million skin cancers and the 8,000 deaths due to metastatic melanoma that occur annually in the United States.

Too much exposure to UV rays from the sun can change skin texture and cause the skin to age prematurely, leading to skin cancer. UV rays also have been linked to eye conditions such as cataracts.

Eating a variety of food everyday will give you all the vitamins and minerals you need for good health and peak performance.

Exceptions include:

• Active people who follow strict vegetarian diets.
• People who avoid an entire group of foods.
• People who eat less than 1800 calories a day.

If you fall into any of these categories, you may want to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement (pill), which may provide the vitamins and minerals you are missing in your diet.

Taking large doses of vitamins and minerals will not help your performance and may be bad for your health. Vitamins and minerals do not supply the body with energy and, therefore are not a substitute for carbohydrates.

Calcium is needed for strong bones and proper muscle function. Dairy foods are the best source of calcium.

Studies show that many female athletes who are trying to lose weight cut back on dairy products. Female athletes who don’t get enough calcium may be at risk for stress fractures and, when they are older, osteoporosis.

Young women between the ages of 9 and 18 need about 1,300 milligrams of calcium a day. After age 25, the recommended intake is 1,000 milligrams.

Low fat dairy products are a rich source of calcium and also are low in fat and calories.

Daily Recommended Calcium Intake mg = milligrams

• Birth to 6 months 210 mg
• 7 to 12 months 270 mg
• 1 to 3 years 500 mg
• 4 to 8 years 800 mg
• 9 to 18 years 1,300 mg
• 19 to 50 years 1,000 mg
• 50+ years 1,200 mg

People who have purchased Que She should stop taking the product immediately and consult a health care professional.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that Que She, marketed as an herbal weight loss supplement, contains unlisted and active pharmaceutical ingredients that could harm consumers, especially those with cardiovascular conditions. These active pharmaceutical ingredients also may interact with other medications and result in a serious adverse event.

Que She capsules are widely sold on Internet sites as weight loss supplement.
Que She, advertised as “Slimming Factor Capsule” and as “an all-natural blend of Chinese herbs,” has been widely distributed on Internet sites such as the Bouncing Bear Botanicals website, and at retail outlets, including Sacred Journey in Lawrence, Kansas.

An FDA analysis of Que She found that it contains:

• Fenfluramine – a stimulant drug withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1997 after studies demonstrated that it caused serious heart valve damage.
• Propranolol– a prescription beta blocker drug that can pose a risk to people with bronchial asthma and certain heart conditions.
• Sibutramine – a controlled substance and prescription weight loss drug, sibutramine was the subject of a recent study whose preliminary findings showed an association between sibutramine use and increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who have a history of heart disease.
• Ephedrine – a stimulant drug that is legally marketed over-the-counter for temporary relief of asthma but can pose a risk to people with certain cardiovascular conditions.

Source from www.fda.gov
FDA Public Health Alert
July 8, 2010