I was on the elliptical at my gym this morning and happened to catch the tail end of an infomercial for diet pills. I figured it was just the usual advertising and wasn't paying attention
until I saw that the company (BioSlim) was selling "packages" of diet pills to families...specifically for CHILDREN.
Wow...I knew they were low...but I had no idea just HOW low these slimeballs would go to make extra money...
We had the tobacco industry marketing to kids, and now...the slimey diet pill pushers are following in their path.
So I did a little Net search and found the company's website to get some more info...
The "Youth Kit" costs $90 (plus S&H). According to the website it is "appropriate for ages 7 to 15" and contains what looks like some generic diet paraphanalia (the poster, which is supposed to remind kids what to eat and what not to eat also reminds them "...and don't forget to take your formula!"
) along with TWO, count em TWO, different diet pills of which the 'recommended dose' is 2 of each per day.
BioSlim was good enough to include a partial list (although not the amounts) of the ingredients...BOTH formulas include
Citrus Auranteum (aka "Bitter Orange") which works like ephedra in the body - this is basically "herbal speed" and is on the Consumer Reports Dirty Dozen list of most dangerous supplements. Here's what SupplementWatch says regarding the value of this substance:
Quote:
The most likely explanation for weight loss effects attributed to citrus aurantium supplements is the amphetamine-like effects of the alkaloids.
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So basically, this SLIMY company is marketing herbal speed to 7 year olds. And if these pack a wallop for many adults, what do you think it will do to the system of a child? At the very least, won't it get them hooked on the speedy feeling? What happens when the parents discover their kids can't sleep at night - and according to articles I've read, kids these days don't get enough sleep as it IS.
But the website says the ingredients in the capsules are at "child appropriate levels". WHAT, pray tell, IS a child-appropriate level for a diet pill???? When I brought this to Suzanne's attention her incredulous response to that was:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suzanne 3FC
There is no such thing as "child appropriate" levels for most of the ingredients because there is no RDA for them.
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And not only THAT - you don't even know what is IN these pills. They're not monitored by the FDA, thanks to the 1994 Supplement Act which basically has tied the FDA's hands from being able to even ensure that the containers contain what is on the label in the stated amounts! Check this recent thread out ==>
ConsumerLab test weight loss supplements, finds concerns
I bet that a lot of parents who will consider buying these pills for their kids would never even THINK of letting their kids drink cola or coffee because of the caffeine...but they will (probably unknowingly) be giving their kids mega-doses of that exact substance...NOT good.
I'm sure the company, since it has an MD endorsing their products and all (just goes to show you that there are plenty of doctors who will do anything to make a buck), will make millions of dollars in the next few months, even if (as I HOPE happens) the FTC or the FDA or someone buckles down on their marketing to children...
Of course I'm sure that BioSlime is also keeping in mind the BIG PICTURE - that they can "start 'em young" and get 7 year olds HOOKED on these diet pills, so they keep BUYING them, into adulthood and beyond, just how the cigarette companies used Joe Camel to sell THEIR products to children.
I'm sickened by this, literally SICKENED.