Simply Slim in the firing line
Last updated: Friday, February 05, 2010 Print
2010 is turning into “The Year for Debunking Slimming Myths”. In January, networks were buzzing with the news that pharmaceutical diet pills containing sibutramine such as Reductil and Ciplatrim have been found to cause heart and circulatory problems and may soon be banned in the EU and other countries.
Now Simply Slim is the latest diet product to be in the firing line of newspapers and internet sites. According to a host of postings on the Weight Loss section of Health24, readers have been reporting serious side-effects after taking Simply Slim.
According to an article by Antoinette Pienaar published in Beeld, a Johannesburg cardiologist Dr Andrew Sarkin, is concerned about the negative effects of Simply Slim because he has had to treat four patients, who reportedly took this diet pill, for heart symptoms.
Sarkin listed palpitations, respiratory problems, dizziness, abnormal ECGs, insomnia and angina pain as some of the symptoms his patients reportedly developed when using Simply Slim (Pienaar, 2010A).
Other doctors reported that their patients had developed severe abdominal pain, high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias (Pienaar, 2010A).
Does Simply Slim contain sibutramine?
Another controversy that is raging in the press at the moment, concerns the allegations that Simply Slim contains sibutramine, the compound that is being investigated for its negative effects on heart health and hypertension as reported last week.
According to another article published in Die Burger, Gys Nieuwenhuizen, a chemical engineer of the Pharmaworx Laboratory in Midrand, reported that tests conducted at the laboratory had found sibutramine in capsules marked Simply Slim.
Other diet pills such as Forme Slim, Nu-Evo and HNS New Me, were also found to contain sibutramine (Pienaar, 2010B).
Pharmaworx carried out their tests after the SABS had found sibutramine in the contents of a carton with the Simply Slim label (Pienaar, 2010B).
Justin Adriaanse, the Executive Head of Simply Slim has denied that his product contains any sibutramine and intimated that there is a “conspiracy” against the company.
The Medicines Control Council of SA is at present investigating these claims and counter-claims and will hopefully publish their conclusions in the not too distant future.
Ingredients of Simply Slim
Although we currently don’t know with certainty that Simply Slim does contain sibutramine, the other ingredients that are listed on the packaging are also cause for concern.
According to the label, Simply Slim contains that following ingredients:
- Bitter Orange Extract (Bigarade Orange or Neroli)
- Cassia seed
- Aloe Vera
- Alisma orientalis
- L-Carnitine
- Lotus or Water Lily
- Evening Primrose Oil
- Dietary Fibre
- Dextrose
Potential Side-effects and Functions
Synephrine
The Bitter Orange Extract contains synephrine and is an appetite suppressant. Synephrine is a form of epinephrine that can cause a whole list of negative side effects including palpitations, insomnia, psychotic states and worst of all, addiction.
Other forms of epinephrine have been banned in over-the-counter products and slimmers should not use any product that contains synephrine.
Laxatives
Cassia seed and aloe vera are laxatives that may cause loss of normal bowel movements and dehydration if taken in excess.
Alisma orientalis
This herbal extract acts as a diuretic. Excessive use of diuretics can cause electrolyte depletion (loss of potassium and sodium via the kidneys), which can in turn lead to serious conditions and even be fatal. Reports that Simply Slim users drink vast volumes of water may be related to the presence of a diuretic in the formulation.
While maintaining adequate hydration of the human body is essential, overdoing water and/or liquid intake can literally be fatal as has been demonstrated in the Comrades’ Marathon where athletes die as a result of drinking too much water and lowering their body potassium and sodium levels to dangerously low levels.
L-carnitine
L‑carnitine should not be taken by anyone with thyroid problems as it suppresses thyroid function.
Lotus or Water Lily
It is not clear why Lotus or Water Lily is being added to a slimming product because it is usually used as an aphrodisiac. It may be added to make users “feel euphoric” as one advertisement for Blue Lotus states.
Evening Primrose Oil and Dietary Fibre
Evening primrose oil and dietary fibre should basically not be harmful and can probably be used without serious ill effects. However, some forms of dietary fibre used in slimming pills can cause abdominal pain and bloating.
Dextrose
Dextrose is probably added as a sweetener to improve the taste.
Sensible Weight Loss
As one of my readers pointed out on the DietDoc Message Board: "People who continue taking potentially harmful slimming product are Simply Stupid!"
I agree wholeheartedly.
My recommendation would be not to use this kind of product and to rather stick to a balanced, low‑fat, low-GI diet and regular exercise to achieve safe, sensible weight-loss.
But we live in a world where quick fixes are the rage and most people are not prepared to give their bodies a chance to lose weight slowly and sensibly.
Hopefully the Medicines Control Council will provide us with the results of their investigation of Simply Slim, Forme Slim, Nu-Evo and HNS New Me and let the public know if these over-the-counter slimming products also contain sibutramine or not, and if necessary withdraw them from the market.
(References: Pienaar, A (2010A): Verslankers se hart raak op hol, Beeld, 23 January 2010. Pienaar, A (2010B): Omstrede middel in kapsule vir verslanking, Die Burger, 28 January 2010. )
Any questions? Ask DietDoc
(Dr IV van Heerden, DietDoc, February 2010)
Read more:
Will diet pill be banned?
Another diet scam exposed
Lose 19kg in 3 weeks!
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Your Comments
Simply Facts
You need to understand the difference beween m-synephrine and p-synephrine before you start making erroneous claims. Simply Slim contains p-synephrine a natural extract that is not at all dangerous.
In addition, all the articles in Beeld contain unproved allegations. MCC has tested Simply Slim on several occasions and never found subitramine or any other banned substances.
SIMPLY SLIM SIMPLY STUDPID!!!
Please do your research on the side effects that individuals have recorded on simply slim before buying. My husband and I had an incredibly bad experience and I will make it my mission to inform all radio stations, contact magazines and forward emails to contacts in order to stop the distribution of this dangerous product.
Wow
Oh, my goodness. I can' t believe I actually used simple slim. Thank God I decided to discontinue using it as it was causing my feet to swell up.
I decided to lose weight the healthy way.
It' s scary that you want something to help you lose weight and end up with something that' s helping you kill yourself.
And by the way...
...I got really bad pain in my hands and feet which stopped after I stopped using the simple slim.
Real Weight Loss here.
I am a success coach that puts a lot of emphasis on healt and get great results for my clients using only vitamin and miniral supplements, and an eating plan.
I must be stooopid
I run & cycle 5 or 6 times a week & include weight workouts of 90 minutes 4/5 times a week, I eat properly, 5 meals a day, I don' t drink any alcohol or eat junk food like pizza/nando' s/steers. I' ve taken simply slim without any negative side effects & it' s really helped me to lose some stubborn fat, never had these results from any " coach" .
NEE NEE
Daar was nie ' n dieet pill op die rak wat ek nie probeer het nie! EInde van storie ek het aan anoreksie en bilumia gely vir 5 jaar. NIe weer nie!!!
SIMPLY STUPID AND NU EVER AGAIN
I het Simply Slim gebruik vir ongeveer 2 weke. Tydens hierdie tyd het ek glad nie geslaap nie, die hele tyd gebewe, my pupille was groot, en ek het gedurende week 2 ernstige harkloppings gekry. Toe ek Simply Slim skakel het ek die volgende antwoord gekry. " Life Happens, en as dit nie vir jou werk nie, kry iets anders" Hulle waarborg van geld terug is ook ' n foefie. Ek het daarna NU-EVO (Wys jou hoe desperaat ek is) gebruik, met die selfde simptome. Ek het dit sommer weggeggooi. Dis gemors.
Nothing wrong
I had about 5 kilos to get rid of which i have managed to keep off with the help of Simply Slim. Iv had no side effects other than insomnia in the begining. I still eat and drink all the coke and sweets I enjoy, with good results. every one has commented on how well I look.
So im a happy customer
mmmmm
mmmmm
Another diet scam
Any pill that advertises weight loss by simply taking a pill and not changing your eating habits and not needing to exercise is a load of hogwash. I pill will not get rid of the bad fat surrounding your organs so the sweets, junk food and soda is still killing you, even if the tables may not.
Warned
I bought Simply Slim from a booth at Fourways Mall. The young lady who sold me the pills took great pains to take me through all the adverse effects - she must have spent about 20 minutes taking me through the ingredients and she asked a lot of questions about my health and if I had any chronic conditions. Only when she was satisfied the risk was minimal did she sell the box to me. The side effect was insomnia - battled to sleep for about 10 days. There was no weight loss but I was forewarned.
Simply Slim
Wat dink jy
Happy user
Ek het 8 kilo' s verloor met Simply Slim, bietjie slaaploosheid aan begin en dis oor. Die pil is nie swart soos baie al gesê het en stink ook nie. Ek het vir ' n ruk opgehou en weer gekoop, nog dieselfde kleur en smaak. Ek maak my pil oop en gooi dit op joghurt, so ek kan sien die kleur daarvan. Drink dit 7.00vm, oefen 20 min treadmill, drink water 2ltr per dag, en walla! Jammer vir die wat dit nie werk nie, gelukkig het ek geen gesondheidsprobleme nie, so ek gebruik dit vir ' n hulp middel,DANKIE!
" Natural" does not equal " harmless"
I love it when people talk about something being " natural" and therefore not harmful. I could extract the venom from a cobra and call it a " natural extract" , but you' d still die if you injected it! How about boiling up some oleander leaves and twigs and calling it " a nourishing and cleansing tea full of natural extracts" ? Also - if you want to lose weight, eat less and exercise. If that doesn' t work - see a proper doctor.
PS
Oh, and if you import the Simply Slim pills directly yourself (which you can easily do), it costs about 10 000% less than what you pay for it here. So if you want to kill yourself with " natural" diet pills, you can at least do it without emptying your bank account.
Simply Slim
People be realistic Everything has side effects - hell even life has a VERY serious side effect! I took Simply Slim & it did nothing for me! My husband took it & lost 5kg in 3 weeks! No hart palpitations, swelling or any of the other things mentioned above! Except maybe the insomnia, but wasn' t really insomnia with him either just disturbed sleeping paterns
Simply Great
I have been using Simply Slim for 2 weeks, going on my 3rd. Ive already lost 3 kilos. Yes, there are side effects, but if you have a great agent, he/she will explain to you the ingredients, the side effects, what causes the side effects and how to use the tablet correctly. They will also explain to you not to use the product if you have high blood pressure, thyroid or heart problems etc. Gym or slimming products all have similar side effects - go read it up! This one just works for me.
Simply Slim Simply Phenomenal
i started simply slim and wow a simply phenomenal product. Yes i had side effects like dizziness, flu like symptons, dry mouth etc. I remained positive and kept taking the product coz i believe it' s my body way of adjusting to the product. By day 10 all side effect were gone. i eat six times a day and drink 3 litres of water a day and the weight is just melting away. My blood pressure is normal and i feel fabulous.
People should stop being silly
I am now in my 5 month of using Simply Slim - this product is absolutely worth it with no side efect at all and I have lost 11 kgs with a smile & no hard work or diet. If you cannot use this product due to some health problem you have, stop using it and leave it to the ones who it is working for. People complaining are just being selfish and totally stupid, jealous and want to be fat. Simply Slim is just the best product
Works for me !
Slim Plus
I want to know more about the product Slim Plus that is being advertised.
Don' t waste your money
It' s simple: Eat less, exercise more.
Don' t risk your health or waste your money on " wonder potions" . If you follow a healthy balanced diet, cut out the junk food, and exercise at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week, you will soon start seeing great results!
simply slimmer
I lost 10kg for the first month.obviously there will be side affects to any diet pill.but if you follow the instructions from a simply slim agent.Eat your 6 small meals daily, drink plenty of water,take the pill before 8am and breakfast.Take only for 6 days then on the 7th give it a break.After a months supply give it 2 weaks off.Well at least this helped put me on the right track to healthier eating exersising.but from now on .smaller healthier portions food and exersize
Simply Slim
Kyk wat se hul van Simply Slim
Simply Slim
I think people are so pathetic! Everything is explained on the box, so you either take it or you don' t. I' ve used it for 1 month and only experienced lack a sleep for a while and have had no other side effect. This diet pill has the same warnings as any other diet pills, so nobody is forcing you to take it!
Dit is jou keuse...
Hierdie is tydelik van aard en jy kan beter lyk, ander rook en drink....permanent - en dan nog wanneer hulle swanger is...dit laat my wonder oor keuses!
Simply slim
I use a course of this slimming and put weight on instead of loosing weight
Can you tell me why?
Simply Silly
What happens when you stop taking this " magic" pill or simply just cant afford it anymore? You will eventually go back to your old eating habits as there is nothing to supress your appetite etc. All this money you have spent on these pills may as well have gone down the drain, not to mention the state of your stomache lining. Listen to your body and only eat when you are really hungry, eat healthy foods and just enough to fill the gap. C' mon guys, don' t put your body through this unatural proce
Oh please
i started simply slim in november and lost 10kg up to date. i stopped using it due to being a bit exspensive in mid jan and i' m still eating the same and drinking lots of water. i' m still losing. i had NO side effects and honestly think people who want to go on it should see a dr first cause they probably have problems already!
Wonderlik
Hierdie is die mees fantastiese produk ooit! Ek gee nie om om deur my nek te betaal vir kwakmiddels nie, solank ek net mooi lyk. Dis mos wat tel. Hartaandoenings, lewerskade en slegte seks is ' n klein prys om te betaal vir die agt kilos wat ek verloor het. Moenie vir my preek nie, ek is ' n tipiese hardegat, eiewys verbruiker!
Excellent
I started using simply slim middle november 2009, my agent (which can provide a agent number to ensure this is not the fake version that you can import for a fraction of the price) explained everything in detail and also asked me a lot of questions about my health. I' ve lost 15kg on simply slim without having any side effects. this is an excellent product!!!! you have to take care of yourself. No one I know that is on it has any side effects!
Our fast life!
Ads everywhere , fast food and microwave dinners. Fact our fast lives have caused us to work harder for longer hours thus making fast food cheaper ( more convenient as well) to buy. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. I have lost 2.5 KG' s this year -> HOW eating less red meat , lots of veggies and salads + a 3km walk 5 times per week. Diet pills make the Pharmaceutical industries RICH you idiots!!
Annalie - Dink Mooi
Annalie jy moet asb. nie jou Extacy pilly saam met jou simply slim gebruik nie, dis waar die pupille vandaan kom onthou om baie water te drink
It Works
Ek het 11kg in my eerste 6 weke van Simply Slim verloor, en nie een snaakse simptoom gekry nie. Behalwe dat ek bietjie hardlywig geraak het, maar hulle het my gewaarsku dat ek genoeg fibre moet inkry. Persoonlik dink ek jy moet nie dink jy' s op ' n dieet en jouself straf nie, as jou liggaam voel jy het ' n soet ding nodig eet dit!!! Ek het nie eendag in die 6 weke gedink/gevoel dat ek op ' n dieet is nie.
Simply slim is wonderlik, en ek het nog net 5kg om te gan!!!!
Crazy
How anyone can consider taking something that gives them insomnia and heart palpitations is beyond me. This is dangerous for your health and all just because you' re too lazy to diet and get a bit of exercise. Quite insane.
So easy
I agree with " dont waste your money" . This product is not foolproof and the price is even more ridiculous! People should ask their doctor first before using ANY diet pills. Why not keep it natural? Eat less, cut the sugar completely, and EXERCISE! I have a chronic condition and will not even attempt using SIMPLY SLIM. There is no such thing as a " quick fix" !
simply slim
Ek is al drie maande op dit en het 16 kilos verloos. Sonder enige van die nuwe effekte. Jammer vir die wat dit gekry het. Ek sal sorg dat ek genoeg pille het om my gewig te beryk wat ek wil hê .
Simply Slim.
Ek gebruik die pille al ' n paar weke en het nog net goeie resultate van die procuk gekry. Ek het alreeds 22 kilos verloor en gaan dit nog verder gebruik. Dit doen my goed en ek voel ook baie beter omtrent myself.
SIMPLY SLIM
LEES EN LEER...143
Journalistic principles?
Interesting that so far ALL negative publicity (in different newspapers) has come from a single journalist?!? Obviously people will react differently to these tablets. You will expecrience the same side effects if you take for example Phedracut, or even if you drink too much coffee. If you are not willing to deal with the possible side-effects, don' t take the tablets. The same goes for flu medication etc. etc. The SABS has in the past tested this product, and was happy with it.
Simply Slimm
simply slimm
snake oil merchants
People will sell anything to make money, regardless of what it does to people. people who want to lose weight are desperate and they are just cashing in on it. It' s disgusting.
you might as well die thin
people get real.... you want to look good? take it! you want live forever? don' t take it ... and don' t eat anything you buy in a shop... farm your own food. It' s the only way you can be sure you know what you' re eating.
I wonder what' s more harmful... the extra weight you are carrying or the " alleged" side effect of Simply Slim.
DIT WERK VIR MY
Ek gebruik Simply Slim nou vir ' n maand en het 6kg verloor! GEEN newe effekte nie!!!
Het voorheen Thinz en Eetless probeer, maar het nie dieselfde resultate gekry nie.
Ek is BAIE dankbaar dat dit vir my werk!!!
Ek gee nou eers ' n maand breuk en gaan daarna dit weer gebruik todat ek my doelgewig bereik het.
Nog het 8 om te gaan! :)
A bit weird?
All the messages on how wonderful this product is are all in Afrikaans and seem pretty similar. My bet is that there is a busy Simply Slim employee out there whose English isn' t too great who is posting from the same address under different names. Any way of checking this out?
EXCELLENT
Simply Slim is working for me and I am on my second box with NO side effects whatsoever. I will be upset if it goes off the market as I am shedding the kilo' s. I am 50yrs old and am delighted with the results. For those that have side effects....Look for something else and leave us alone that enjoy the product!
Simply Slim
I follow a low kj diet & work out 4 x a week, yet I was battling to lose those last few kilos. Since using Simply Slim I' ve lost 7 kgs & I feel fantastic. The only side effect I had was insomnia but that has gone now, & I drink a lot of water (2-3 lt per day) which I' m thankful for. HOWEVER, don' t be lazy - this pill is no subsitute for a healthy lifestyle - you should still follow a low kj diet and exercise, and don' t take it if you already have health problems - that' s asking for trouble.
FOLLOW-the-DIRECTIONS
I had side effects in the beginning - slight insomnia - when I wasn' t watching my water consumption and skipping meals. Follow the directions and you wont have severe side effects. DO NOT SKIP MEALS and drink 3L WATER and it' ll work for you.
Simply slim has its ups - weight loss reduces cholestorol etc etc. This has given me energy and I am only happy to exercise now, which I wasnt doing previously.
All good for me.
Rush MArketing
The comapny could have laced their own product with sibutramine themselves. Leak the results and all the sibutramine users will rush to buy the product as they don' t need scripts. Compoany knows they have a 4-6 month window to make as much as possible. This is why all health related products should be regulated
Simply Slim
Lees bietjie hier!!!
Simply Slim
Take a look at this....
dangers of simply slim
non
Excellent
I have been taking SS from November and the only side effects I have is dry mouth. I love the energy. I have lost 6kg already. I feel great!!!!!!
Now all in English
That' s weird - all the pro-posts were in Afrikaans, then someone noted it, and now they' re all in English! Voila. Does Simply Slim work for French and German people too - kommen sie, tell us.
Use It Dont Use It..
Pays your money...Takes your chances...
I know people who use it with absolutely no side effects whatsoever other than to lose dress sizes while continuing to keep up thier lifestyles.
I also know people who have lost weight look fabulous but on restarting them after a break experienced nausea, palpatations, dizziness etc.
Needless to say they stopped taking them.
Make your own choice, see how it goes and just monitor your body signals carefully..
Simply the best
I have been using simply slim for 3 weeks now, and I have lost 4kg! The only side effect I had was insomnia. But I am all over that now. This product is great. If you are suffering with headaches all the time, you need to drink the right amount of water. There is no point in taking the pill but not sticking to the diet. It' s simply the BEST!
Simply Slim
I have used for two months and my daughter used for three months. We both lost weight and centimeters and we had no side effects whatsoever. Maybe other users have underlying problems which they did not know of, therefore each and every person does not experience the same.
Simply slim
Not sure if these are the same as the one' s you' re taking?
Simply Death
This stuff is poison. Stay AWAY!
You know your health!!
Come on - all medication have some side-effects in one or the other way. You know whether you are healthy or not! Is it healthy and safe to be over-weight?? I love Simply Slim and love the fact that I lose weight for the first time in many years. A dry mouth and less sleep if you drink too much caffein! Why all the fuss. We are mature and responsible and make our own decisions. STUNNING PRODUCT!!!
SIMPLY SLIM
Everyone loses the first 3 to 5 kgs quickly on this product which I am sure is loss of WATER and not FAT. I have not taken it myself but the people I know that have suffered thirst, insomnia and constipation.
Moaning Minnies and Mannies
Simply Slim works! After nearly 2 months, I' ve lost 10 Kgs and now weigh a happy 74 kgs. I want to lose another 10 and will stay on SS until I do so. I have an underactive thyroid and for the past 9 years have been piling on weight from 61 to 94 kgs, which no amount of dieting, gym, exercise etc. could reduce. No other product has ever done this for me and I feel great. Losing weight was easy and painless. I sleep a lot less ( 8 to 5 hours), but am more alert and energetic - it' s good to be thin
NOTE
I want to point out that Simply Slim is fine for those with an UNDERactive thyroid, but not an OVERactive one, as the instructions will tell you. People are commenting on a thyroid condition in a general sense, but need to know there is a huge difference between it being under or over active. Underactive slows metabolism, piles on weight and makes you feel tired the whole time whilst the overactive thyroid does the complete opposite. SS helped me conquer what my underactive one is doing to me!
Simply Slim
Grow up people!!!!!!! Do you really think that Mac Donalds, KFC and all other junk food places dont have incredible long term side effects! But yet you have the choice to stop at the first take away store or not! Dot it together if you smoke I aint going to tell you to stop so dont tell people to stop taking SS if they want to take it! Besides losing weight is a great improvement on many diseases incl. heart disease!
Health 24' s perspective on Simply Slim
Hi Kobus.
Thought that you I should send you the latest that I have read on the anti Simply Slim comments.
Regards,
Indira
Slim Nu Me makes no sense...
Slim Nu Me, what you are saying actually makes no sense, as Simply Slim contains a substance that suppresses thyroid function. It would therefor actually be contra-indicated for someone who already has hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland).
Also, I can' t help but wonder how many of the glowing" reviews" that Simply Slim is getting here are actually posted by people who are selling the stuff...
Simply Slim
Hi Free
Check this out!
simply slim
I have used this product and have found no side effects , i have also lost the weight in record time , i am totally satisfied with the product , mabe when you take any medication in future read the side effects , if you live like this you will never take any tablets including Dispirin. dont use a cell phone either as this causes brain tumours. dont breath as the air is full of poison and germs , maybe just die then you wont have any problems , people get real what works for one might not 4 anot
Quick Fix
When will people learn and listen. There is no mirracle weight loss product. The only way to loose weight is to follow a balanced diet and excercise. You dont realise what you are doing to your entire system with all these man made chimicals you are poisoning your system with. Catch a wakeup people.
Simply fantasic
i think simply slim is fantasic. i have been trying to loose weight for years. i lost 5kgs in 5 weeks. yes i did have bad insomnia but its gone now. people must also exercise this will reduce the insomnia.you not suppose to take the tablet if you have health problems.
Simply the best !!
Its works for me...lost 11 kgs and i' m feeling great. No side effects except for dry mouth and insomnia...but i' m feeling good and drinking water which is good.
I still do a rigorous workout 4 times per week and maybe that is the difference!! Still active but enjoying what SS has done for me...let US dedicde if we want to use it or not...
Why don' t you concentrate on stopping abortions and prostitution :-)
Very odd
It is strange that all the people who priase the the product use the same phrases and language. Very fishy.
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