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What Are Fat Burner Herbal Medicines?

According to the Food and Drug Administration, herbal fat burners fall under the category of dietary supplement. A dietary supplement is something taken by mouth intended to enhance or supplement a diet. Herbal fat burners promise to burn fat or speed up the metabolism naturally.

  1. Features

    • According to the FDA, herbal fat burners fall under the category of dietary supplements due to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. A dietary supplement, like a herbal fat burner, is taken by mouth and contains a dietary ingredient that is supposed to supplement the diet. The dietary ingredients in herbal fat burners might include vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and other substances.

    Warning

    • Recently herbal fat burners have come under fire for containing harmful ingredients not listed on the package or in the commercial advertisements. According to the FDA, bumetanide, which has been found in many herbal fat burners, can lead to serious and significant fluid and electrolyte loss. Fenproporex, which as also been found in herbal fat burners is a stimulant not approved by the FDA and can lead to increased breathing rates, insomnia and possible sudden death.

    Types

    • According to the FDA, there are many different herbal fat burner products on the market and they are taken in a variety of different ways. Some can be taken over a period of two, three, five, seven and eight days. Others are taken over a 24-hour period, or as needed.

    History

    • According to the FDA, herbal fat burners have been around since before the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was signed in 1994. They have recently been gaining popularity over the past few years as advertisements have become more frequent. According to the FDA, they became aware of the harmful ingredients present in many herbal fat burners in 2008.

    Significance

    • Herbal Fat Burners are very popular dietary supplements even with the FDA's recent discovery of illegal and dangerous ingredients. The FDA has recalled 72 herbal fat burners, and continues to look for tainted products. While some of the herbal fat burners may be a safe route to weight loss for some, they could be a fatal mistake for others.

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