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UAE bans 2 weight loss supplements

Dubai - 'Achieving Zero', a dietary supplement used for weight loss, has been banned since it contains toxic chemicals.

Two weight loss supplements have been banned by the Ministry of Health after being found to contain toxic elements, said the ministry in a circular issued on Wednesday.
'Achieving Zero', a dietary supplement used for weight loss, and which is sold online, has been banned since it contains toxic chemicals that can endanger the life of those consuming the medicine.
Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health and Licences, who is also chairman of the National Committee for Medical Vigilance, said the ministry was alerted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that has advised consumers not to purchase or use Achieving Zero. The product is promoted and sold for weight loss on various websites such as www.amazon.com
FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that Achieving Zero contains sibutramine, which is a controlled substance that was removed from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons. The product poses a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke. The product may also react, in life-threatening ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking.
Dr Amiri warned of the mushrooming of the e-commerce websites, which promote some medical and health products with the motive of making profits, especially the dietary supplements, cosmetics, weight control, weight trimming , aphrodisiacs among others.
"These online websites do not care about the serious health damages the products may cause, as most of the products sold on these websites are not registered neither in the UAE nor globally and are not under the surveillance of the Ministry of Health," he said.
"The dietary supplements which are registered at the ministry are safe as long as the use is in the limits of the advised dosage (as per the instructions leaflet inside the packet of the medicine), and if the user is not suffering from chronic diseases," he added. The ministry has also issued another circular advising people not to use dietary supplements intended for weight loss manufactured by Novacare since they contain a noxious substance called 'Salicylic Acid'.
Dr Amiri pointed out that the ministry has taken all the necessary measures to recall such products from the local market. These products are: Fataway Ultimate Stack, ThermoFX, MaxOut Body, Metabolic Accelerator, Burn Fat Now, Thermogenic Fat Burner, Thin and Slim Naturally, Extreme Stack, Asia Black, Black Widow 25 and Methyldrene.
The aforementioned food supplements - manufactured by Novacare - are prescribed for loss of weight, yet they contain undisclosed substance named 'Salicylic Acid' - a toxic chemical substance if swallowed. This substance may cause the following symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, irritation in digestive system, hearing loss, sweating, blurred vision, mental disturbance, stomach ulcer, bleeding, cerebral edema, and life-threatening heart and respiratory diseases.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com