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Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A Bitter (Orange) Pill to Swallow?
New Weight Loss Supplements Still Have Heavy Consequences
By Farrest Taylor, Esq. and Catherine Walding, Legal Editor
In a country where obesity is an ever-growing problem, the dieting industry is selling a mouthful of dangerous products. Consumers spend a staggering $20 billion each year on dietary supplements in the United States, despite recurring evidence of the dangers of such products when sold over the counter.
Specifically, research conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed that diet drugs containing ephedra and ephedrine-alkaloid were found “to raise blood pressure and otherwise stress the circulatory system,” possibly causing myocardial infarction, stroke, seizure, cerebrovascular accidents, and/or sudden death. Due to these findings, the FDA banned ephedra and ephedrine containing supplements from unregulated use in 2004.
The result? Synephrine, a derivative of a citrus fruit known as Bitter Orange, Sour Orange, or Zhi Shi. With a molecular structure very similar to ephedra, synephrine is the new chemical of choice for dietary supplements, and manufacturers of supplements containing synephrine claim that they, like those formerly containing ephedra or ephedrine, will also burn fat, increase energy levels, increase metabolism, and promote weight loss. Unfortunately, it appears that the negative side effects of the new supplements are very similar as well. Though not well documented, it is becoming more evident with time that synephrine can be associated with adverse cardiovascular events. A tragic example of this evidence comes from the Texas Heart Institute Journal, which reports a case of a previously healthy 24-year old male who presented to Walter Reed Army Medical Center with a severe myocardial infarction just hours after ingesting a dietary/performance enhancing supplement. The man, who had been using the supplement to enhance to his daily workouts, had no preexisting cardiovascular issues, family history, or history of drug use. He had, however, been taking the supplement, which contained synephrine.
Given the close molecular structure and the growing evidence as to the detrimental effects of supplements that contain synephrine, it is imperative that the FDA involve itself in the regulation of such supplements
Thomas, John E., MD; Munir, Jamalah A., MD; McIntyre, Peter Z., MD; and Ferguson, Michael A., MD; “STEMI after Use of Synephrine Dietary Supplement;” Texas Heart Institute Journal; Volume 36, Number 6, 2009
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2004/ucm108379.htm
Thomas, John E., MD; Munir, Jamalah A., MD; McIntyre, Peter Z., MD; and Ferguson, Michael A., MD; “STEMI after Use of Synephrine Dietary Supplement;” Texas Heart Institute Journal; Volume 36, Number 6, 2009
By Farrest Taylor, Esq. and Catherine Walding, Legal Editor
In a country where obesity is an ever-growing problem, the dieting industry is selling a mouthful of dangerous products. Consumers spend a staggering $20 billion each year on dietary supplements in the United States, despite recurring evidence of the dangers of such products when sold over the counter.
Specifically, research conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed that diet drugs containing ephedra and ephedrine-alkaloid were found “to raise blood pressure and otherwise stress the circulatory system,” possibly causing myocardial infarction, stroke, seizure, cerebrovascular accidents, and/or sudden death. Due to these findings, the FDA banned ephedra and ephedrine containing supplements from unregulated use in 2004.
The result? Synephrine, a derivative of a citrus fruit known as Bitter Orange, Sour Orange, or Zhi Shi. With a molecular structure very similar to ephedra, synephrine is the new chemical of choice for dietary supplements, and manufacturers of supplements containing synephrine claim that they, like those formerly containing ephedra or ephedrine, will also burn fat, increase energy levels, increase metabolism, and promote weight loss. Unfortunately, it appears that the negative side effects of the new supplements are very similar as well. Though not well documented, it is becoming more evident with time that synephrine can be associated with adverse cardiovascular events. A tragic example of this evidence comes from the Texas Heart Institute Journal, which reports a case of a previously healthy 24-year old male who presented to Walter Reed Army Medical Center with a severe myocardial infarction just hours after ingesting a dietary/performance enhancing supplement. The man, who had been using the supplement to enhance to his daily workouts, had no preexisting cardiovascular issues, family history, or history of drug use. He had, however, been taking the supplement, which contained synephrine.
Given the close molecular structure and the growing evidence as to the detrimental effects of supplements that contain synephrine, it is imperative that the FDA involve itself in the regulation of such supplements
Thomas, John E., MD; Munir, Jamalah A., MD; McIntyre, Peter Z., MD; and Ferguson, Michael A., MD; “STEMI after Use of Synephrine Dietary Supplement;” Texas Heart Institute Journal; Volume 36, Number 6, 2009
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2004/ucm108379.htm
Thomas, John E., MD; Munir, Jamalah A., MD; McIntyre, Peter Z., MD; and Ferguson, Michael A., MD; “STEMI after Use of Synephrine Dietary Supplement;” Texas Heart Institute Journal; Volume 36, Number 6, 2009
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posted by Guyg at 3:26 PM
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