MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Lots of folks made resolutions to get healthy and fit in the new year, but consumers should beware of bogus weight loss claims.
These gimmicks come with the promise of easy and quick weight loss, but they typically don’t help your wallet or your waistline.
In fact, it could be harmful to your health.
In January, lots of people are hitting the gym hard, still determined to keep that resolution of losing weight. Some decide to jump start their weight loss with a special diet plan or pill that will supposedly help shed the pounds even faster.
“A lot of these do claim you know, you can lose 10 pounds in a week or get back to a size two in one month and you and I both know that’s unrealistic,” says Registered Dietitian Christy Davis of Baptist Hospital.
The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning consumers to be careful with products that promise “miracle” weight loss.
Besides making claims that aren’t true, some products could contain drugs you don’t know about.
The FDA sent out dozens of notices in 2014 about tainted weight loss products.
In recent years, the agency has also banned supplements like over the counter HCG and OxyElite Pro which has been connected to kidney failure, and at least one death.
Davis explained, “One thing I do want consumers to understand is that some of the chemicals and substances in these weight loss supplements can interact with some prescription drugs or cause some of the same side effects.”
If you do plan to add a supplement to your regimen, read the label and ingredients carefully and be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist.
It’s also important to keep in mind, the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, so just because it’s on a shelf doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Also, watch out for warning signs, such as catch phrases like “scientific breakthrough” and “guaranteed.”
“Guaranteed weight loss, anytime a product’s going to do that, there really is no guarantee how much weight you’re going to lose,” added Davis.
Experts also say consumers should be careful with products sold online and heavily promoted on social media.
After all, we all know real, weight loss doesn’t come with a quick fix.
