May 01st, 2015

Have you heard of the latest and greatest in weight-loss supplements? You know, the one that magically burns belly fat and removes excess weight without you having to change your diet or even get off the couch? This product may sound familiar, but it is impossible to buy. That’s because such a thing does not exist. 
There are thousands of different diet pills, extracts, and weight-loss concoctions on the market today. And many of these products are being advertised as "miracle pills", "proven fat burners", or "the #1 weight loss solution", without ever having to make good on such claims. This is because weight-loss supplements (like all dietary supplements) are not in the same category as pharmaceutical drugs, and thus, are not required to provide the Food & Drug Administration with any verification that they work as advertised or that they are even safe for consumption! In fact, because of some carefully crafted laws, the FDA is only allowed to step in when something goes wrong with these products. As a result, companies can produce and sell a product that is tainted, has harmful or untested ingredients, or is completely ineffective.
Many consumers have found this out the hard way by trusting these products, and, as a direct result of using them, have suffered everything from headaches to high blood pressure, insomnia, kidney failure, liver disease, and - in several cases - even death. Countless lawsuits have cropped up as the victims of these unscrupulous supplement companies try to fight back. However, by the time of trial, the company in question has recalled all of its products, and has gone bankrupt in order to limit it’s losses, all the while proclaiming its innocence of any wrong-doing. 
Even though this cycle has happened time and again, many people still do not realize how much danger there is in taking scientifically unproven supplements. They are instead viewed as a viable tool with which to start a healthier lifestyle. This is why the supplement industry is booming, with billions of dollars currently being spent in the US on weight-loss remedies alone. With all the hype and false advertising surrounding many dietary supplements today, some of which are being promoted by celebrities and TV personalities, it is easy to see how the promise of a quick and simple fix can be so enticing. However, as these “miracle remedies” fade into obscurity, our bodies' need for healthy, whole foods and regular exercise is made ever clearer.