I will be among the first to agree that we have an 'obesity epidemic' among the young, but this is going overboard:
http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/diet.fitness/12/09/skinny.pills/ "...Pediatric experts told CNN they're especially concerned about three herbs in the "Skinny Pill" that are diuretics. Uva ursi, juniper berry, and buchu leaf all cause the body to lose water. The Physicians Desk Reference, a doctors' guide to drugs and alternative remedies, states the uva ursi should not be given to children under age 12. "Diuretics in children can cause kidney problems and electrolyte imbalances if taken long term," said Dr. Alison Hoppin, chief of the pediatric obesity clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition, the PDR says the herb could cause liver damage in children. Niacin, another ingredient, can be toxic to the liver. The National Academy of Sciences sets upper limits for niacin consumption, and, when taken as recommended, the "skinny pill for kids" contains four times the upper limit of what an 8-year-old child is supposed to get." >From another article: http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/diet.fitness/12/09/otsc.cohen.skinny.pills/ HEMMER: Interesting -- you've looked at a lot of these products over the years. Anything raise red flags with you? Anything to say this looks suspicious, that (it) might be a bit dicey? COHEN: Yes. One thing that was on the Web site that immediately made me say "Gee, this looks a little strange" is that (the maker) says diet and exercise are unrealistic for children, and she gives menu suggestions, and she says, for one day, your kid can eat pizza, cookies and ice cream. That is in the menu. Lunch: pizza. Dinner: cookies and ice cream. What kind of a diet is that for a child who needs to lose weight?" The promoter, Edita Kaye, is billed as a "nutritionist" and "medical journalist" but I found nothing that indicates any formal schooling/degree in nutrition, in a quick Google search. Her homepage: http://www.skinnypill.com/home.asp Someday there may be (relatively) safe drugs for juvenile obesity, ones that use the body's own machinery/pathways to reduce weight; until then, exercise and a proper diet (a nutritionally sound diet is especially important for growing children) will have to do. Debbi who keeps neither cheese nor Oreos in her house lest she eat all at one sitting (but eclairs tempt me not at all - not even with chocolate coating! :D ) __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
