Supplementing danger

Diet pills come with big promises, but consumers need to beware.

“One pill makes you larger; one pill makes you small . . ." Since the time of Grace Slick's drug-inspired lyrics in the 1960s, the American public has yearned for a pill that will help them shed unwanted weight. The search for that quick fix, however, can lead to serious health problems - even death - if one swallows the media hype and ignores the warnings.

Remember Phen-Fen? Available by prescription, Phen-Fen (short for phentermine and fenfluramine) was all the rage as an appetite suppressant until women as young as 35 developed heart valve disease. Some only took the drug 30 days before symptoms manifested. Medication reversed the damage in some of the women, but others required surgery to replace faulty heart valves ­ a high price to pay for thinner thighs.

Then we had ephedra. The FDA banned this over-the-counter drug when it was linked to numerous deaths, including Florida State linebacker Devaughan Darling, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer and, most notably, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler. Official causes of death varied, but all the athletes had used supplements containing ephedra, which was believed to be a contributing factor in their deaths. Bechler's untimely death at the age of 23 - and the medical examiner's willingness to come forward about the dangers of ephedra - lit a fire under Congress and the FDA to implement a federal ban on the supplement.

In 2003, ephedra, sold under brands like Xedadrine and Ripped Fuel, became the first supplement ever banned by the federal government. Athletes and the general public took the supplement in hopes of losing weight, unaware of the health dangers. An amphetamine-like compound, ephedra stimulates the nervous system and heart, increases blood pressure and creates irregular heart rhythms.

The new ephedra

Now another drug, clenbuterol, is stirring up the same ephedra issues. "Clenbuterol acts like ephedra," says Cynthia Kuhn, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology at Duke University. "It creates the same 'fight-or-flight' response to the nervous system - almost like a synthetic adrenaline." Used in Europe to treat respiratory ailments in horses, clenbuterol is illegal in the U.S., although bodybuilders are known to find it through illegal channels as they do with steroids.

Because you have to break the law to get it, fewer people are using the drug than used ephedra.

“Ephedra became a problem because it was marketed so widely,” says Dr. Kuhn, co-author of four books including, "Pumped: Straight Facts for Athletes About Drugs, Supplements, and Training.” "If clenbuterol was as easy to get, you'd hear of people having heart attacks from it.”

The seduction of the drug lies in its ability to increase muscle mass and decrease body fat, although Dr. Kuhn believes the effects are minimal at best. “Not much research exists on the drug's effects on humans, and there are no long-term usage studies to date," he says. In Spain, 135 people became ill after consuming beef liver that contained clenbuterol residues; it had been used to increase muscle in beef cattle exhibited at livestock shows.

In addition, in 2005, Associated Press writer Linda A. Johnson wrote a controversial article citing the use of clenbuterol among prepubescent girls who are taking the illegal drug for weight loss. And a recent article in a women's magazine credited clenbuterol - not dieting and exercise - for the rapid weight loss noted in high-profile celebrities, although none would admit to using the drug.

Supplements will reduce wallet size

In general, most over-the-counter drugs and supplements will do more harm to your wallet than to your body, but the FDA advises consumers to use caution when purchasing any supplement.

According to a recent FDA-sponsored report, there are 29,000 dietary supplements on the market today, and another 1,000 new products are introduced each year. Not all of these are for weight loss, and many are useful in restoring and maintaining health. Here's what you need to know before purchasing and consuming any supplement:

1. Supplements should not replace the variety of foods important to a healthy diet.

2. Do not use a dietary supplement in place of a prescription medicine or therapy.

3. Be wary of media ads touting a "quick fix" that departs from scientific research and established dietary guidelines.

4. More may not be better: Some products can be harmful when consumed in large amounts, for a long time or in combination with other substances.

5. "Natural" doesn't necessarily mean safe; some natural products interact with medicines, and many natural substances are poisonous.

6. Is it worth the price? Many supplements are expensive and ineffective.

A final word from Dr. Kuhn: "I don't mean to sound depressing, but no over-the-counter weight loss pill works. The only way to go is still eat less and exercise more."

OC Metro