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Slimming pill ingredients, positive and negative aspects
Slimming is a mega-billion dollar industry throughout the world and South Africa is no exception. Wherever you look, in newspapers, magazines, supermarkets, chemist and health shops, on TV and the radio, you will find adverts and products which promise you painless, effortless weight loss provided you take product X or swallow pill Y. So what do these 'magic' pills and drops really contain?
A random survey of some of the most popular over-the-counter slimming products sold in South Africa, showed that most of these diet pills contain the following ingredients in varying concentrations and combinations:
Acetic acid - Apple cider vinegar
Amino acids - BCAA (branched chain amino acids), L-glutamine, L-glycine, Taurine, L-tyrosine, DL-phenylalanine
L-carnitine
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
Creatine
Epinephrine in various forms (pharmacological and herbal products)
Fibre - guar gum, pectin, psyllium, methylcellolose, bran
Herbal extracts - guarana, cayenne, dandelion root, ginseng, uva ursi, bitter orange extract or citrus aurantium, ginger root, white willow bark
Hydroxycitrine or - citrate (HCA) or garcinia cambogia
Kelp and seaweed extracts
Phenolphtalein
Pyruvate
Trace elements - chromium, boron, selenium
Vitamins - B complex
Acetic acid
| Example | Effects | Side-effects/Caution |
| Apple cider vinegar - common product of apple fermentation |
No scientific proof that using vinegar made from apples, differs from any other vinegar (acetic acid) used for cooking. No proven slimming effect. |
Non-toxic. Probably harmless if taken in moderate quantities. |
Amino acids
1) BCAA
| Example | Effects | Side-effects/Caution |
| BCAA (branched-chain amino acids) - valine, isoleucine, and leucine - essential amino acids found in all animal protein foods |
Muscle metabolism; Prevent tiredness duriong exercise |
Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products - much larger quantities are ingested daily from protein foods |
2) L-Glutamine
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| L-glutamine - conditionally essential amino acid - found in practically every food | Neurotransmitter; Muscle metabolism; Prevents protein catabolism (breakdown) during stress and exercise | Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products - much larger quantities are ingested daily from protein foods |
3) L-Glycine
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| L-Glycine - non-essential amino acid, produced in the human body | Neurotransmitter; Muscle metabolism; Improves muscle contraction | Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products - much larger quantities are ingested daily from protein foods. Excessive intakes can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances |
4) Taurine
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Taurine - non-essential amino acid, produced in the human body, found in animal protein foods | Neurotransmitter; Muscle metabolism; Conjugates bile acids and may lower blood cholesterol levels | Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products - much larger quantities are ingested daily from protein foods. Excessive intakes may cause overstimulation of the nervous system |
5) L-Tyrosine
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| L-tyrosine - non-essential amino acid, produced in the human body | Converted to neurotransmitters, norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine which suppress appetite and prevent tiredness, produces a 'high'. Tyrosine combines with iodine to form thyroid hormones |
Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products - much larger quantities are ingested daily from protein foods. See side-effects, contra-indications and warnings for epinephrine below.
|
6) DL-Phenylalanine
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| DL-phenylalanine - essential amino acid, found in protein foods | Triggers release of cholyccystokinine (CCK) which increases satiety. Converts norepinephrine which suppresses appetite, increases energy, lifts the mood, poroduces a 'high'. Converted to tyrosine (see 5 above) |
Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products - much larger quantities are ingested daily from protein foods. Excessive intakes may produce epinephrine side-effects (see belwo). Harmful to patients with phenylketonuria. |
Warning: Harmful to patients with phenylketonuria
L-Carnitine
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| L-Carnitine - biological compound, produced in the human body, found in protein foods | Transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria of the cell to serve as fuel during exercise; improves cardiovascular function and muscle strength; decreases fatigue; may decrease body fat if combined with a strenuous exercise programme | No evidence that it removes fat from fat depots especially at the low levels included in slimming products. No evidence that L-carnitine deficiency is common. |
Conjugate Linoleic Acid (CLA)
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) - essential omega-6 fatty acid, found in protein foods ( beef, turkey, dairy products) | Antioxidant; may increase lean body mass and reduce body fat | No conclusive evidence that it lowers body fat in humans -additional research required. Excessive intake may interfere with omega-3 uptake. |
Creatine
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Creatine Monohydrate - found in most animal protein foods | Improves exercise performance over short distances and brief periods (<30 seconds) by enhancing body pool of creatine phosphate, may prevent fatigue; best used with intensive exercise programme | Recommended doses must not be exceeded. Can cause weight gain. Long-term use may have negative effects - additional research required - "more is not necessarily better" |
Epinephrine
1) Pharmacological products
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Epinephrine, norepinephrine, norpseudoepinephrine, also called adrenalin or nor-adrenalin | Suppresses appetite, increases energy, lifts the mood, produces a 'high' | Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, thirst, thirst, problems with urination, hypertension, rapid, irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pain, palpitations, heart arrest, fear, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, dizziness, faintness, flushing, tremor, muscle weakness, headache, irritability, psychotic states, altered metabolism |
Contraindications: Should not be used in pregnancy, breastfeeding, high blood pressure or hypertension, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, closed-angle glaucoma, heart disease, prostate enlargement. Should not be used by children and teenagers.
Special warning: Can become addictive. Can be abused. Effects wears off over time, requiring larger doses.
Ephedrine is a banned substance in sport
2) Herbal products
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Citrus aurantium, Bitter orange extract contains synephrine | Suppresses appetite, increases energy, lifts the mood, produces a 'high' | Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, thirst, thirst, problems with urination, hypertension, rapid, irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pain, palpitations, heart arrest, fear, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, dizziness, faintness, flushing, tremor, muscle weakness, headache, irritability, psychotic states, altered metabolism |
Contraindications: Should not be used in pregnancy, breatfeeding, high blood pressure or hypertension, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, closed-angle glaucoma, heart disease, prostate enlargement, children and teenagers.
Special warning: Can become addictive. Can be abused. Effects wears off over time, requiring larger doses.
Ephedrine in any form is a banned substance in sport.
Fibre and Gums
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Guar gum, pectin derived from apples, citrus fruit, psyllium, methylcellulose, bran derived from cereals | Fibre swells when mixed with liquid in the digetsive tract, thus causing a feeling of satiety (fullness) and stimulating peristalsis, thus reducing the length of time that food is present in the digestive tract. Fibre lowers blood cholestrol levels. | Small amounts used in slimming products may not be sufficient to produce satiety. Dietary fibre in standard foods is just as, if not better, for producing satiety and increasing peristalsis. Excessive intakes of fibre, esp. psyllium and methylcellulose can cause diarrhoea, bloating, cramps and interfere with mineral uptake. Dietary fibre in standard foods lowers the energy content of foods. |
Herbal extracts
1) Guarana
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Guarana contains caffeine | Stimulant, suppresses appetite, increases energy, lifts the mood, produces a 'high', diuretic | Headache, nausea, insomnia, restlessness, excitement, muscle tremor and gastric ulcers. Excessive intake can casue dehydration. |
Contra-indidcations : Should not be used during pregnancy or breatsfeeding, or by children and teenagers.
Special warning: Can become addictive. Can be abused. Effects wears off over time, requiring larger doses.
Caffeine in large doses More than 12 ug/ml of urine) is a banned substance in sport.
2) Cayenne
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Cayenne | Improves circulation. May counteract ulcers. | Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products. Benefit not proven scientifically. |
3) Dandelion
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Dandelion root or extract - taraxacum | Laxative | Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products. If taken in excess, it may cause diarrhoea, upset the fluid and electrolyte balance and prevent absorption of vital nutrients leading to deficiencies. |
4) Ginseng
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Ginseng (American, Chinese, Siberian or Korean) | Can increase energy, counteract fatigue, repair damage due to stress, aids recovery after exercise, may lower blood sugar levels. | Appetite stimulant! Products may vary in strength and quality because of the high cost of the original ginseng root. May cause insomnia, asthma, hypertension, fever, fibrocystic breasts, emphysema, hypoglycaemia, irregular heartbeat, palpitations and blood clotting problems. |
5) Uva ursi
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Uva ursi (bearberry leaves, busselrole) | Diuretic | Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products. If taken in excess, it may cause dehydration and upset the fluid and electrolyte balance. |
6) Bitter orange extract or citrus aurantium
(See above - herbal products that contain epinephrine - note side-effects, contraindications and warnings!)
7) Ginger root
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Ginger root (gengibre, ingwer) | Prevents nausea and motion sickness | Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products. May be added to counteract side-effects of other ingredients! |
8) White willow bark
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| White Willow Bark contains salicin, the same chemical aspirin is derived from! | Prevents pain. Prostaglandin inhibitor. | Nausea, vomiting, bleeding ulcers, severe reactions in asthmatics, kidney damage, dissiness, anaemia, skin eruptions, bronchospasm, breathlessness, prevents blood clotting. reye's syndrome in children. |
Contraindications: pregnancy and lactation, young children, patients with peptic ulcers, anaemia, haemophilia, kidney disease, and those taking anticoagulant therapy.
Hydroxycitrine (HCA)
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Hydroxycitrine or-citrate (HCA) or Garcinia cambogia | May stimulate the Krebs Cycle or inhibit the ensyme citrine lyase which may inhibit fat deposition | Probably non-toxic because of small quantities included in slimming products. Slimming effects not proven - additional research required. |
Kelp and seaweed extracts
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Kelp, seaweed extracts, ascophyllum nodosum, agar | Contains iodine and other trace minerals that may stimulate metabolsim. Agar may produce a feeling of satiety. | Iodine supplementation not required in South Africa as table salt is iodated by law. Excessive intake of iodine may cause thyroid problems. |
Phenolphthalein
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Phenolphthalein | Laxative | Allergis reactions including skin eruptions, rashes, cramps, colic, cardiac and respiratory distress, diarrhoea which may cause dehydration, fluid and electrolyte imbalance and deficiencies, and lead to colon malfunction. |
Contraindications: Pregnancy, patients with sensitivity to this compound.
Pyruvate
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Pyruvate, pyruvic acid | Acts as a substrate in the Krebs Cycle releasing energy when oxidised | Probably non-toxic. Slimming effects of pyruvate taken orally are not proven. Additional research required |
Trace elements
1) Chromium
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Chromium picolinate or polynicotate | Regulates blood glucose levels and promotes weight loss. | The optimum dose is 200 microgram per day. this does should not be exceeded. Excessive intakes of chromium and other trace elements can cause toxicity. "More is not better!" |
2) Boron
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Boron salts | Influences calcium and magnesium metabolism. May increase testosterone levels in the body, thus promoting lean muscle development. | Doses should not exceed 50 mg/day as Boron may be toxic. "More is not better!". |
2) Selenium
| Example | Effects | Side effects/Caution |
| Selenium salts | Involved in fat metabolism, vitamin E and antioxidant functions | RDA is 70 ug for men, 55 ug for women per day. Excessive intakes may be toxic. "More is not better!" |
Many slimming pills and products contain added vitamins, particularly of the water-soluble B complex group - thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (nicotinamide), pyridoxine (B6), folate ( folic acid), cobalamin (B12) pantothenic acid, biotin and vitamin C. These vitamins play important roles in most chemical reactions in the human body and are, therefore, capable of stimulating metabolsim. Vitamin C is also an important antioxidant, but does not have any slimming properties. Unless water-soluble vitamins are present in excessive amounts exceeding their RDA's they should not have adverse effects.
Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, and D, should not be taken in amounts exceeding their RDAs of 5000 IU and 400 IU respectively per day.
- (Dr IV van Heerden, registered dietician, DietDoc)
References
Bears B (1999). Amino acids help reduce appetite. Medical Chronicle. p.31
Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy. 10th edition. (2000) Editors: L.K. Mahan and
S.l Escott-Stump. WB Saunders Co, Philadelphia.
Martindale. The Extra Pharmacopoeia. 29th edition. (1989) Editor: J.E.F Reynolds, The Pharmaceutical Press, London.
MIMS Medical Specialities, 2002, Vol 42, No 10, MIMS, Pinegowrie.
MIMS permitted and Banned Drugs in Sport. 1996. MIMS, Pretoria
MIMS Self-Medication Guide. 1990. MIMS, Pretoria.
The Merck Manual, 16th edition, 1992. Editor: R. Berkow, Merck Research Laboratories, New Jersey.
