Manufacturers of herbal products are required by law to ensure that claims for their products are not false or misleading, but they are not required to submit their evidence to the Food and Drug Administration. The Mayo Clinic suggests consumers do their own research on herbal diet pills so they can understand the ingredients and potential health risks. Asking your doctor or pharmacist is a good starting point in getting some answers about herbal ingredients. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, as well as the Office of Dietary Supplements, are two other good sources of information.
Not for Everyone
Some herbal ingredients can interact with current prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. The Mayo Clinic advises you to speak with your doctor to understand any possible interactions. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you should not take herbal supplements. As with prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal ingredients may not be safe for the fetus or baby and as a rule, should not be taken.
Herbal supplements can also interfere with surgery procedures. Some can reduce the effectiveness of anesthesia while others can cause bleeding or high blood pressure side effects. If you are having surgery, it's imperative to let the doctor know what herbal supplements you are or were recently taking.
As you age, your metabolism changes. Adults over the age of 65 are not advised to take herbal supplements. If you are under the age of 18, you are also not advised to take herbal supplements, as there is little medical evidence showing safe dosages for your age group.
Electrolyte and Vitamin Imbalance
Depending on the herbal ingredients, you may experience vitamin deficiencies from taking herbal diet pills. Some herbal diet pills contain laxatives and diuretics. Continuous use can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Ipecac syrup is used to induce vomiting and can be fatal. Not allowing your body to take the vitamins and nutrients from the food you are consuming will make you deficient.
If you take herbal supplements that do have laxatives or diuretics as part of their ingredients, you may experience a harder time withdrawing from them. With laxatives you may experience stomach cramps, constipation, bloating, mood swings and fatigue. Medical assistance may be required to withdraw from laxatives. Diuretics aim to rid the body of water, which really only reduces how much water is in your body. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can occur and result in hospitalization. Even if you stop taking the diuretics, you may experience long and short-term fluid retention.
Liver Damage and Failure
Certain herbal diet pills contain ingredients that can damage and even destroy your liver. "Time" magazine reported an instance involving a diet pill named "Slim 10." Andrea De Cruz, A 28-year-old actress, almost lost her life after taking Slim 10 for two months. A risky liver transplant saved her life, but she continues to take immunosuppressants to ensure her body does not reject the liver.
Many women in Japan, Singapore and China have died or experienced illnesses as a result of these diet pills. In 1997, the United States banned an ingredient named fenfluramine after it caused damage to heart valves. Variations of this ingredient are still being found in herbal diet pills.
Death
In Asia, many diet pills contained ingredients that are banned in the United States. Despite government warnings to remove these products, many were still found on store shelves for consumers to buy.
Many women have lost their lives due to herbal diet pills. In 2002, "Time" magazine reported seven women in Asia died from 2000 to 2001 from ingesting the toxic substances in diet pills. In the United States, 80 deaths were attributed to taking ephedrine, an amphetamine-like stimulant used in diet pills.
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