Remember how I always tell you to be careful when taking supplements that you get at GNC, Vitamin Shoppes, and other “health” food stores?  Well, here is one of the reasons why: the market is totally overwhelmed with these supplements, and thy FDA does eventually test them, but the man power needed to test these drugs, on top of new drugs, study drugs, etc. the FDA is just trying to keep up with the market. Usually by the time they test these “supplements” they are removed from the market…..just like these products that are being removed form the market immediately:

Mince Belle (dietary supplement)
Everlax (dietary supplement)
Ever Slim Shake Mix (strawberry & chocolate flavors)
Acai-Man Mangosteen Herbal Drink
Perfect Men (dietary supplement)

What was found?
The US FDA found FDA approved drugs IN these supplements that are being sold over the counter as supplements, and they need regulation because every drug has side effects and interactions; they are recalled purely for consumer safety.  Sibutramine, which is an appetite suppressant to help treat obesity, is a schedule IV controlled substance, and can have risks of increased blood pressure and heart rate, which leads to an increased risk if you have a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrythmias, or stroke. Sibutramine was found in the Mince Belle, Everlax, and Ever Slim Shake mixes….no wonder why people saw results!  Tadalafil is a male Erectile Dysfunction (ED) drug, also FDA approved, that was found in the Acai-Man and Perfect Men supplements, which can have deadly interactions when a man is also taking a nitrate, which is found in some prescription drugs (like nitroglycerin) can cause a drop in blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Obviously the drugs found in the supplements were not listed on the label, called something else, which is why it is really important, and I cannot stress it enough, not to take herbal or health supplements, without the approval of your HCP.  You really don’t know what is lurking in these supplements and it is really important if you are taking other medications or have chronic medical conditions….be careful!! No offense to the people that work at the “health” stores, but don’t trust them that the supplements are healthy, because as you can see by this one minor recall, they can sometimes kill you.

Yours In Good Health
B