Chinese Slimming Aids may be Dangerous
Sep 19, 2005
Traditional Chinese slimming aids prevalent in the UK market may contain illegal and dangerous substances, warns government agency. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, an executive agency of the Department of Health, is advising consumers to exercise caution when considering traditional Chinese medicines for losing weight. Some of them may be illegally adulterated or contaminated with pharmaceutical drugs or toxic herbal ingredients.
In the UK, nearly 66 percent of men and 60 percent of women are either overweight or obese. While with men, the majority of them are overweight, more than a quarter of women are classified as obese (having a body mass index over 30).
The UK's Chinese herbal medicine industry was worth an estimated £54 million ((€79m) in 1999 although it is difficult to quantify. According to the agency, a number of dangerous products have been found to be sold in the UK and international markets. Herbal slimming capsules called Shubao, was last year suspected of having caused a case of irreversible liver failure in the UK.
The Shubao product is believed to be promoted as only containing botanical ingredients but suspected to illegally contain undeclared Nitrosofenfluramine, a drug closely related to the prescription-only fenfluramine that is known to be toxic to the liver.
Source: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/news-ng.asp
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