The Latest Weight Loss Gimmicks
Herbal "Phen/Fen" or what do I have to lose?
Herbal "phen/fen" (St. John's Wort and ephedrine) has been promoted as a "safe" alternative to phentermine combined with fenfluramine ("phen/fen"). Most people are aware of the disasterous complications of "phen/fen" including valvular heart disease, PPH (primary pulmonary hypertension), heart attacks, strokes, and the significant neurologic complications of depression and memory loss. Some individuals and companies are now promoting the combination of ephedrine and St. John's Wort for weight loss. Ephedrine is a non-prescription stimulant medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure. It causes a slight decrease in appetite and an increase in metabolic rate. St. John's Wort is an herbal product that has some antidepressant activity. Many people incorrectly believe that fenfluramine was an antidepressant similar to Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil (it wasn't). Thus, the combination of ephedrine and St. John's Wort has the (inappropriate) designation of "herbal phen/fen." from these mistaken assumptions. The major problem with this herbal combination is that ephedrine can result in heart attacks, strokes, and other fatal complications (there have been a number of recently reported deaths in previously healthy, young individuals taking ephedrine). Thus, you have a lot more to lose than you may think and extreme caution is warranted.Pyruvate -- a three-carbon miracle?
Pyruvate is a 3-carbon intermediary in the metabolism of glucose. Pyruvate has been promoted by many companies and individuals as a "metabolic stimulant." The scientific study that most reference was the use of pyruvate in the treatment of obesity in a short (six week) study involving less than 18 women. The women were first placed on a low calorie diet for 3 weeks and then were placed on a high calorie diet that was designed to cause weight gain. It was found that the women who were given pyruvate instead of another substance (polyglucose) had less of a weight gain during the three weeks that they were studied. Pyruvate did not result in any weight loss...it resulted in less of a weight gain! What happens after three weeks is anybody's guess. There is no scientific evidence that supplementing your diet with pyruvate will result in weight loss.
Will chromium picolinate help me lose weight?
Some companies state that chromium will increase your metabolism and suppress your appetite, thus leading to weight loss. This has NOT been scientifically proven. Therefore, at this time chromium picolinate is helpful in lowering the weight of your wallet. It will not lower your body weight by itself.
Will "fat binders" lead to weight loss?
Several companies are stating that they have a product that binds fat taken in the diet preventing its absorption. They are claiming to be as effective (or in one instance, more effective) than orlistat, a prescription medication that results in about a 10% weight loss. Any material that would bind any significant amount of fat in the intestine can lead to vitamin and nutritional deficiencies. The so called "fat binders" do bind very small amounts of fat in the stool but they don't result in any significant weight loss.
The ear patch -- another way
to lose weight?
I've been getting many e-mails
recently about a patch that you put behind your ear that causes your appetite
to decrease and subsequently result in weight loss. These companies claim
that it is "FDA Approved" and results in weight loss (an untrue statement).
The only weight you will lose will come from your back pocket. Save yourself
the expense, disappointment, and embarrassment -- avoid these "miracle"
patches.
Slimming soap -- just another
dirty trick?
You bet it is. There isn't
a soap (or any other solution for that matter) that will "wash away" the
extra fat, even if there is a warning that the soap should not be handled
by thin individuals.
Diet magnets -- an attractive
idea?
Yes, for the promoters.
I guess that after various companies were successful in selling magnets
that were attached to automobile fuel lines and claimed the cars got better
performance, others have expanded their horizons to people. There
isn't any scientific evidence that magnets will promote weight loss.
Apple Cider Vinegar --a tasty way to lose weight?
I have been receiving numerous e-mails in the fall of 2000 with a new twist on an old treatment for obesity. Apple cider vinegar doesn't remove toxins from your body, speed-up metabolism, or significantly affect appetite. Vinegar (without the calories of oil) is a fine condiment but don't count on it to assist with weight loss.
Exercise pills in a bottle ?
Some companies are claiming that you can get all the benefits of exercise by taking their (expensive) pill with a money-back guarantee. Some of these pills contain a compound (ephedrine) which may speedup your metabolism slightly (along with your blood pressure, heart rate, and risk of death) and may result in some initial minimal weight loss. However, the only way currently to get the cardiovascular (heart), emotional (mood) benefits, and weight reduction and weight maintenance benefits of exercise is to EXERCISE. Save your time and money by avoiding these "treatments" (besides, do you really think you will have the audacity to return a bottle and ask for a refund?)
Last modified: August 2001.
Copyright © 1996 -2001
Michael D. Myers M.D. Inc.
All rights reserved.
The above information is for general purposes only and should not be construed as definitive or binding medical advice. Because each person is medically different, individuals should consult their own personal physicians for specific information and/or treatment recommendations.