diet pills

These prescription drugs are being abused to substitute diet pills.

This past week, the federal Government Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report that requests the FDA to exert more oversight power in the review and evaluation of the diet supplement industry. The report says that while the FDA has increased their watch of the diet pill market, they have not done enough to ensure the safety of consumers who experiment with weight loss and other non-medical diet products. According to the New York Times, Americans spent an estimated $25 billion on weight loss and diet products last year.

In 2008, the FDA received 948 reports of health problems associated with dietary supplements, including 9 deaths and 234 hospitalizations. And the FDA asserts that these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. The regulatory body estimates that each year, over 50,000 health problems are connected to the use of diet supplements.

A new study is suggesting that the diet drug Orlistat, more popularly known under its prescription name Xenical, doesn’t help people improve their eating habits. But it’s even being suggested that it has the opposite effect.

When Xenical works, it blocks the absorption of fat in the intestines. Users are advised to reduce their dietary fat intake, consuming no more than 30 percent of their calories from fat each day.

This is what The Diet Blog has to say:

A new study suggests the popular diet drug Orlistat… doesn’t inspire people to improve their diets, instead individuals popping Xenical are more likely to eat worse. How’s that for irony.

50 Cent wants to launch a diet supplement. The rapper – real name Curtis Jackson – is considering creating his own range of vitamin-enriched pills but refused to be drawn on the details.

50 Cent / Curtis Jackson

He is quoted by the New York Daily News newspaper as saying: “Right now, I’m interested in dietary supplements. I’ll be coming up with something very soon.”

“I can’t tell you what it would be called. I’d be blowing the big launch party!”

The “Candyshop” hitmaker also claimed he is drawing inspiration from music mogul Diddy when it comes to fashion.

Read the rest at exposay

People magazine is reporting that country music star Wynonna Judd has a New Year’s resolution: to tell the world about Alli. She’s signed on to act as a representative for the super-popular weight loss supplement.

Unlike her half-sister Ashley Judd, Wynonna wasn’t blessed with a Hollywood leading lady figure. Which, in this case, gives her more appeal, since regular folks can relate to her.

“People can see themselves in me and say ‘You know what? If she can do it, I can do it,’” says Judd.