Herbal Diet Product Information Misleading

	Tweet

Many websites marketing and advertising dietary supplements containing the herb ephedra are posting false or misleading information, a Johns Hopkins study demonstrates.

Internists at Johns Hopkins searched the Internet for sites selling herbal weight-loss products including ephedra, then evaluated the information posted on those sites for medical accuracy. Their report appears in a recent issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Of the 32 Web sites analyzed, 13 (41 percent) failed to disclose potential adverse health effects, and 17 (53 percent) did not reveal the recommended dosage. More importantly, researchers said, 11 sites (34 percent) contained incorrect or misleading statements, some of which could directly result in serious harm to consumers.

In addition, several sites incorrectly compared ephedra to sinus medications, and two sites claimed falsely that ephedra could be used to treat diseases such as asthma or bronchitis, a promotion that is not allowed under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.

Serious side effects include heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, increased blood pressure and heart palpitations, according to lead study author Bimal H. Ashar, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine. It’s important that consumers understand the substances are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, he says. Most clinical studies examining ephedra for weight loss have documented adverse effects in 20 percent to 60 percent of patients.

“Basically, if it reads like it’s too good to be true, it probably is,” Ashar says. “If you’re really interested in taking any of these supplements based on what you read, first print out the information and take it to your doctor for review.”

RELATED STORIES:
Daily diet soda tied to higher risk for stroke, heart attack   Beetroot juice could help people live more active lives   High salt intake linked to strokes and cardiovascular disease   Caffeine Experts Call for Warning Labels for Energy Drinks   Slow eating trims calorie intake: study   Mediterranean diet good for the heart   Increased dietary fish oil may prevent many deaths   Low-fat, veggie-based diet lowers high cholesterol   Regular family meals result in better eating habits for adolescents   Watermelon reduces atherosclerosis in University of Kentucky study   Dr. Mom was right—and wrong—about washing fruits and vegetables   A little meat adds a lot to poor kids’ diets

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]