Many will remember the almost famous Dexatrim weight loss capsules. They've been around in so many different formulations it is almost difficult to keep up with them. They've so far been through three reincarnations, none of which seems to be all that effective in terms of being able to lose weight.
Formulation number one contained phenylpropanolamine and was banned in 2001 because of its links to strokes. Formulation number two came out awhile later, and its main ingredient was ephedra also recalled in 2002 because it was cited as causing strokes, heart attacks and death. The manufactruing company is now on incarnation number three and the main ingredient this time is Bitter Orange Peel extract. - now known as the other Ephedra of the weight loss industry.
The Bitter Orange is combined with a few other proprietary ingredients - which usually means they've just selected other herbals to combine and boost the main ingredient - such as Yohimbe Bark (side effects like bitter orange, high blood pressure, palpitations, headache), Siberian Ginseng (safe), Licorice root (high doses cause high blood pressure), and so on. If you have been counting, there are at least three ingredients in this that can cause high blood pressure. Can you imagine the effect it may possibly have on you?
Various formulations of Dexatrim have various ingredients in each, all of which would need to be checked and cross referenced. For instance, in one of their blends, the main ingredient is green tea extract - the only herbal ingredient that has been shown to suppress appetite without side effects. But you certainly do not need to be buying a formulation with green tea extract and several other dubious weight loss products when you can buy a whole box of tea bags for about three dollars.
Even though the company that makes Dexatrim (Chettem) has reinvented its weight loss products three times, it still isn't something that is considered to be safe or effective for long term weight loss results. The only long term effective weight loss program is eating less and exercising more.
