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Diet Safety: what's wrong under the Hood-ia

By Megan Roth

Just last night, I was watching the games (college basketball) with my neighbors and lo-and-behold, the topic of diet pills came up. We all know my stance (strongly opposed) and, needless to say, it didn’t quite mesh with that of my diet-pill-popping neighbor. The conversation became slightly heated and, as it escalated, pulses quickened and foreheads became creased.

I decided that, if many others are as uneducated as my all-too-buff neighbor, it only makes sense I write a sort of ex-po-se, if you will.

So folks, here is: it’s the miracle drug of the year – and it’s one we haven’t touched on…(dun-dun-duhhhhhh)…until now.

For the most part, the headlines that emerged when I Googled the drug were positive. The content of the articles that filled in the screen beneath those articles? More realistic.

Many users praise the drug for it’s ability to help them shed pounds. It is (like the others in its class) an appetite suppressant. It interferes with your systems and sends misguided signals to your brain which make you feel full, even though you haven’t eaten. Essentially, it tricks your brain and delays the amount of time before hunger sets in (thus causing you not only to eat less often, but also to eat less in general as it reduces interest in food).

Also important to note? The drug is meant to be used in combination with exercise and more healthful eating – Hoodia itself is “just one small piece of the weight loss puzzle.”

And while many claim that small piece is without side effects and, such isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, while it may not do any damage to some, the small piece can have LARGE negative effects on others.

Yes, the drug does appear to be effective in terms of causing users to eat less; however, many question what the adverse side effects may be (the drug is not yet FDA approved and hasn’t undergone enough testing to determine its serious risks). Regardless, we do know that, on several users, there have been indications of liver damage.

In addition, Hoodia may interact with other medications, in which case it not only nullifies the med you’re on, but also can cause irreversible physical damage. And those who are taking medications for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and depression need to be especially cautious when taking the drug as it’s intentions interfere naturally with the body in terms fo these conditions (think about it, a drastic diet change is going to affect blood pressure, glucose levels, mood and such; and the danger levels for diabetics is through the roof in terms of using the drug as it fools the brain into thinking it has enough blood sugar, which proves problematic for those who have issues with low blood sugar to start with).

Also problematic? Hoodia has been found to suppress more than just appetite; it’s also thought to suppress thirst and can cause dehydration amongst users. That is, of course, assuming they’re actually taking Hoodia. Oh, I forgot to mention that, because Hoodia is not regulated by the FDA, there is a wide variety of Hoodia-products on the market (some contain the actual plant root, some don’t).

So it’s “Buyer Beware,” for more reasons that one. If you (or anyone else you know) has been injured by Hoodia or other diet pills, contact the Lombardi Law Firm for assistance.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on January 16, 2009 (boomark / email).