Hi P. - I would beware of any of the quick weight loss products or diets. They are doing things that are unnatural in your body and can be dangerous in the long term. In addition, these quick weight loss pills cannot be sustained over time. Learning to make healthy food choices and incorporating more exercise than you do now, can be sustained for the long haul, and you can keep the weight off for the long haul (healthier inside and out). I began learning about how to make healthy choices a few years ago and exercising. It was a lifestyle change that I know now is giving more confidence than ever that not only can I stay trim, but I am at lower risk than most people to get any of the dreadful diseases we're seeing children and adults get every day. It started when I began eating Juice Plus capsules (they are not synthetic vitamins, but actually the micronutrients from 28 fruits, veggies, berries and grains reduced to powder form and placed in capsules). I also drink their Complete nutritional shake mix just about every morning for breakfast which starts my day off right. The rest of the time, I have just learned what's good for me. Jack Medina's Nutripoint system is a great rule to follow to help learn what's good and create healthy eating patterns. http://www.jackmedina.com/products.htm
Check Out Juice Plus info at 800-942-1260 or www.wethriveonjuiceplus.com.
I'd say good luck - but it's not luck at all - it's a decision you make and you can do it with small changes over time, or fairly quickly if you make significant changes in your lifestyle now.
The following is an excerpt from an article published by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) regarding a recent ruling against diet supplement makers and false claims for their products. It supports what we keep telling people about false and misleading claims by advertisers and the need for good scientific published research to support claims being made.
Four Companies Get Heavy Fines
Now that you're well one your way to fulfilling those New Year's resolutions to shed some pounds, the government says don't count on a diet pill to help. Last month ('07) the Federal Trade Commission fined the marketers of four weight-loss drugs a collective $25 million for false advertising claims. Despite that, the pills - Xenadrine EFX, CortiSlim, One-A-Day WeightSmart and TrimSpa - will remain on the store shelves.
Refuting the Claims
"It is resolution time again, isn't it?" said FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras. "We're implementing our resolution to fight back against companies that use deceptive advertising claims." Some of the products marketed their claims through infomercials or celebrity endorsements. The late Anna Nicole Smith, for example, endorsed TrimSpa. "Testimonials from individuals are not a substitute for science," Majoras said. "And that's what Americans need to understand."
The FTC investigated a variety of claims, including rapid weight loss and reduction in the risk of osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and even cancer, Majoras noted. A fine of at least $8 million was levied against the marketer of Xenadrine EFX, made by New Jersey-based Nutraquest, Inc., formerly known as Cytodyne Technologies. The marketer was identified as RTC Research & Development, LLC, based in Manasquan, N.J. Majoras said Xenadrine EFX had a study showing that people who took a placebo lost more weight than those taking the pill.
The FTC's investigation also found that consumer endorsers lost weight by engaging in rigorous diet and exercise programs. A $12 million fine was assessed against Window Rock Health Laboratories, based in Brea, Calif, the marketers of CortiSlim. Majoras said CortiSlim falsely promised that all users would see permanent and fast weight loss and that its TV infomercials were "deceptively formatted" to appear as talk shows rather than ads.
The Bayer Corp., based in Morristown, N.J. will pay a $3.2 million civil penalty to settle the claims. The FTC said Bayer marketed One-A-Day WeighSmart with unsubstantiated claims including that it increases metabolism. Bayer violated an earlier FTC order requiring all health claims for its One-A-Day brand vitamins be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.
The marketers of TrimSpa, Goen Technologies Corp., will pay $1.5 million. Both Goen and TrimSpa are based in Whippany, N.J. The FTC said Goen had inadequate scientific evidence to support claims that TrimSpa causes rapid and substantial weight loss.
Company Reponses
Marketers of Xenadrine EFX and CortiSlim did not return telephone calls for comment. Bayer disagreed with the FTC's description of the company as a marketer of a weight-loss pill. "It's a multivitamin," said Tricia McKernan, spokeswoman for Bayer HealthCare's Consumer Care Division. "We don't market ourselves as a weight-loss product." Rather than go through the expense of litigation, Bayer decided the way to "close this issue" was to settle, McKernan said.
Some of the fines could be returned to consumers who purchased Xenadrine EFX and CortiSlim. The marketers of the other two drugs paid civil penalties. Consumers who purchased Xenadrine EFX and CortiSlim from the marketers will be contacted by the FTC about getting their money back. People who bought the pills over the counter will have to wait for the agency to put up a public notice on its website telling them how to recoup money.