Discuss the nuances of over-the-counter weight-loss products, both in terms of what they promise and the federal regulatory climate

Answer 1

Millions of people in the United States use over-the-counter (OTC) weight-loss products, believing them to be safe. Most of the people who use such products are women, especially young overweight women, but almost 10 percent are of normal weight. Promoters and marketers of weight-loss products make all kinds of claims for their products with only one intention—profit. Such claims as "eat all you want and lose weight," "take three pills before bedtime and watch the fat disappear," "blocks carbs," "blocks fat," and many more lure people into believing that maybe this time a product will really work.
In an investigation of OTC weight-loss pills, powders, and other "dietary supplements," the FDA found that an alarming number of products illegally contained prescription medications. Strong diuretics, unproven experimental drugs, psychotropic drugs used to treat mental illnesses, and even drugs deemed unsafe and so banned from U.S. markets were among those discovered, and all pose serious health risks.
In their search for weight-loss magic, some consumers turn to "natural" herbal products and dietary supplements, even though few have proved to be effective. People mistakenly believe that "natural" herbs are not harmful to the body, but many herbs contain toxins. Belladonna and hemlock are infamous examples, but many lesser-known herbs, such as sassafras, contain toxins as well. Furthermore, because herbs are marketed as "dietary supplements," manufacturers need not present scientific evidence of their safety or effectiveness to the FDA before marketing them. Evidence about their safety is gathered only through reports of consumers who sicken or die after using the remedies.
A now familiar example is ephedra (also called ma huang), an herb that showed promise as a weight-loss drug in preliminary studies. Immediately, ephedra-containing products for dieters and athletes flooded the market. Many consumers of these products reported ill effects including cardiac arrest, abnormal heartbeats, hypertension, strokes, and seizures; the supplements have been linked to some deaths as well. For this reason, the FDA has banned the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra and its active constituent, ephedrine.
OTC weight-loss pills, powders, herbs, and other "dietary supplements" are not associated with successful weight loss and maintenance. Anyone using dietary supplements for weight loss should first consult a physician.