Tell me again why the FDA willn't regulate supplements

[Hambil]

The names of the weight-loss supplements say it all: 7 Day Herbal Slim, 2 Day Diet, and even 24 Hours Diet. Those are just three of dozens of different brands touted as all-natural ways to shed pounds, and lose them super fast.

But according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, nothing could be further from the truth. Many of these "herbal" weight-loss remedies -- 69 at last count -- are tainted with prescription drugs or mixtures of drugs, including laxatives, diuretics, and anti-seizure medications. And that list of 69 products will probably grow in the coming weeks, says FDA spokesperson Rita Chappelle.

"Our investigation is ongoing and quite extensive, and more products will be added to the list," she says.

Some supplements contain rimonabant, a prescription drug rejected by the FDA for use in the United States due to safety concerns. And others contain sibutramine, a prescription weight-loss drug sold as Meridia in the United Sates. However, the supplements often contain more than one drug, and in doses three to four times what you would get with a doctor's prescription. The supplements' labels don't mention the medications, much less the amount of the drug found in the pills.

This is getting out of hand.

 

[Conchaga]

I shop at GNC and do my research. If these folks are so willing to destroy their bodies in order to shed pounds, I say let 'em. The morons deserve what they get.

 

[Bickendan]

I shop at GNC and do my research. If these folks are so willing to destroy their bodies in order to shed pounds, I say let 'em. The morons deserve what they get.

The problem arises when one of those morons is someone you care for, like say a daughter.

 

[dogbert]

This is getting out of hand.

Hambil if you want to shed pounds, two words. Jenny Craig. I lost 60 pounds a few years back thanks to them. It works.

 

[Conchaga]

The problem arises when one of those morons is someone you care for, like say a daughter.

I would NEVER raise a child that stupid.

 

[Bickendan]

I would NEVER raise a child that stupid.

You say this now. Then they become teens. All bets go out the window when this happens, and the best you can hope for is that you still have some say in their decisions.