Bogus Weight-Loss Products 

Some teas available in health food stores give the impression that they are helpful for weight loss, but about the only thing they will lighten is your pocketbook. These products often use labeling with the terms "slim," "dieter's," "diet," and "trim" in their names, and may carry information about weight-loss practices. 

With laxative herbs as their main ingredients, these herbal teas play upon the consumers' beliefs that increased bowel movements will prevent the absorption of calories, thereby promoting weight loss. However, according to a special committee of the FDA's Food Advisory Committee, research indicates laxative-induced diarrhea does not significantly inhibit the absorption of calories. Laxatives affect the colon, not the small intestine where food is absorbed.  

Herbs such as senna, aloe, rhubarb root, cascara, buckthorn and castor oil have been used since ancient times to relieve constipation and promote bowel movements, and used occasionally and wisely, are probably very safe. However, these herbs can have strong actions when taken in excess, and the FDA is concerned about their potential for abuse by people with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. 

When using herbs for their laxative properties, care should be taken not to steep them too long, or to drink more than the recommended amount. Short-term symptoms of overuse may include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea lasting several days. With chronic use, a laxative dependency can arise. Severe symptoms may appear in people who engage in extreme weight-loss diets or suffer from eating disorders. 

Drug-based laxatives sold in pharmacies may carry even greater risks than herbal products. Ex-Lax, for example, went on the market before toxicity testing was required, but recent studies suggest that its active ingredient, phenolphthalein, may be carcinogenic. One of Ex-Lax's competitors, which once used phenolphthalein, now uses a similar drug, called bisacodyl, for its products. This drug has yet to be tested, and it may be just as dangerous. 

Based on information in: FDA Consumer, July/August 1997; Business Week, 6-30-97