Acai Berry Supplement & Colon-Cleansing Pills

The acai diet is the latest trend in weight loss. Claims about acai's efficacy range from mild ("Its high antioxidant content boosts the immune system, promoting overall health.") to extreme ("Acai makes your body burn extra calories when exercising! It boosts metabolism, reduces appetite, and probably cures cancer!") Many of the latter claims are put forth by manufacturers of acai products, and consumers should be wary.

• The acai berry

Warnings

• Interest in acai increased exponentially after Dr. Mehmet Oz and Oprah Winfrey discussed the berry's benefits on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Since then, the pair have filed over 40 lawsuits against companies using their images and names to promote various acai products--products that, according to Dr. Oz, "actually don't work in the ways that are described."

Acai

• Acai (pronounced "ah-sigh-EE") is a Brazilian superfruit resembling a grape. It is renowned for its antioxidant content, and research is ongoing to determine whether acai can be helpful in treating cancer and immune disorders. For now, however, it's safest to consider it a healthy fruit, similar to blueberries, and refrain from putting too much stock in any "miracle berry" claims.

Colon Cleansing

• The purpose of colon cleansers is to remove old, unwanted "toxins" from the body. It is believed that buildup in the intestinal tract can lead to a variety of health problems, from asthma to arthritis. Colon-cleansing products typically consist of some form of fiber (e.g., psyllium husks) and can include a stimulant laxative, such as the herb senna. Many times, a colon cleanse will be used to jump-start a diet plan, under the theory that, once this waste has been removed, extra pounds will simply melt away.

Expert Insight

• Frequent use of colon-cleansing products may interfere with the body's natural ability to instigate its own elimination, as it becomes accustomed to an outside source doing its job.

  According to the American Council on Science and Health website, "the body empties its waste once it has absorbed the required food and calories it needs for energy through the small intestine," and using laxatives to expedite this process may remove food before the body has time to absorb its nutrients.

  Those seeking treatment for constipation or looking to lose weight should consider increasing daily fiber, water and exercise. As with many diets, weight lost during cleanses will likely return if not followed by healthy, lifelong changes.

Availability

• Acai and colon cleansers are available in powder, pill or liquid form. Whole acai berries may be hard to find, as they are said to spoil too quickly for wide distribution.