Internet sites misleading about weight-loss products - Brief Article

AORN Journal,  Nov, 2003  

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A number of Internet sites that advertise and sell dietary supplements containing ephedra are posting false or misleading information, according to an August 18, 2003, news release from John Hopkins Medical Institutions. John Hopkins internists analyzed 32 web sites selling herbal weight Loss products with ephedra and found that

* 13 (41%) did not disclose potential adverse health effects,

* 17 (53%) did not reveal the recommended dosage, and

* 11 (34%) contained incorrect or misleading information that could result in serious harm to consumers.

Several of the sites also erroneously compared ephedra to sinus medications. Two sites reported that ephedra could be used to treat diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, a claim that is not allowed by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.

Side effects of ephedra consumption include heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, increased blood pressure, and heart palpitations. Clinical studies examining ephedra for weight Loss have found adverse effects in 20% to 60% of patients.

Herbal Weight-Loss Product Information Can Be Misleading (news release, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Aug 18, 2003) http://www.hopkins medicine.org/press/2003/Septernber/030903.htm (accessed 5 Sept 2003).

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