Diet pills and fad diets: Reality or health frauds?

Do you hate looking at yourself in the mirror everyday? You think, “ If only I could lose those extra pounds, everybody will love me.” Watching those pretty, slim young things on TV simply rubs your nose in the fact that you’re not thin and never will be.

Every one has felt like that at some time in their life. Being overweight increases our risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and even some cancers. You feel tired, frustrated and vulnerable. And then someone tells you about this wonderful new “diet pill” or “fad diet” guaranteed to make you lose weight

People who are otherwise perfectly normal become convinced of the "phenomenal" properties of “diet pills“ or “ fad diets” advertised on TV.

Obese and in denial: That’s most people. We’re a country desperate for a " miracle cure” to weight-loss, and that desperation can blind us to reality. And we're subjected to plenty of seductive advertising from the diet industry to lure us to try these silly products. Don’t be fooled by,” guaranteed success”,”clinically proven” and “revolutionary breakthroughs”.

According to the Federal Trade Commission and The Partnership for Healthy Weight management, false claims for weight loss products and diets have increased over the last ten years despite stringent law enforcement methods.

Watch out! False claims could destroy your health. How can you be on the safer side?

• If you really want to try any of the new products being advertised on late-night TV, first screen the product through the FDA consumer site, which has a detailed list of all products and their effects.
• Read the Nutrition Label carefully. Some of these products may contain potent herbs and minerals like ephedra, bitter orange and chromium, which cause weight loss by increasing the metabolic rate, but have been banned by the FDA because of potentially deadly effects.
• Avoid products, which have not been manufactured in the US and which claim to have a large range of quick cures and results.
• An excess of personal testimonials should immediately alert you to a fraud product, as personal testimonials are extremely difficult to prove.
• Many diet pill companies claim that they are not being allowed to sell their products as doctors and other weight loss procedures would lose business. What rubbish! Would people in the health-care field block treatments that could help millions of sick patients, some of whom could be family and friends?
• Meaning less medical jargon like “Hunger Stimulation Point (HSP)” should alert you to a health fraud.

Government efforts.

In the ongoing war against health fraud, federal and state government organizations have created an Operation Cure.All, to crack down on dodgy advertisers who prey on the consumers.

In June, Operation Cure.All, announced enforcement actions against six companies that fraudulently marketed health product on the Internet. Five of the companies have decided to settle the charges by removal of false claims for products, warnings about potential risky interactions with some medications, offers for a full refund, and payment of fines for consumer complaints.

Do you feel that the Government is not working hard enough to check out all the new products coming on to the market? After all, these products can’t be all bad. What do you think? Let me know.