scholarly journals Slaying the Hydra: The History of Quack Medicine, the Obesity Epidemic and the FDA's Battle to Regulate Dietary Supplements Marketed as Weight Loss Aids

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine A. Van Tassel
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
History Of

Anaphylactic Reaction to a Dietary Supplement Containing Willow Bark

2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 832-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph I Boullata ◽  
Patrick J McDonnell ◽  
Cynthia D Oliva
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Dietary Supplement ◽  
Anaphylactic Reaction ◽  
Medication History ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Initial Symptoms ◽  
History Of ◽  
Willow Bark

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of anaphylaxis resulting from the use of a willow bark–containing dietary supplement in a patient with a history of an aspirin allergy. CASE SUMMARY: A 25-year-old white woman presented to the emergency department of a community teaching hospital with anaphylaxis requiring epinephrine, diphenhydramine, methylprednisolone, and volume resuscitation to which she responded favorably. Medication history revealed that she had ingested 2 capsules of Stacker 2 (NVE Pharmaceuticals, Newton, NJ), a dietary supplement promoted for weight loss, prior to experiencing her initial symptoms. Among other active ingredients, this product contains willow bark. Of significance is that this patient also reported a history of allergy to acetylsalicylic acid. No other causes for anaphylaxis were identified. She continued to receive routine supportive care and the remaining hospital course was uncomplicated. DISCUSSION: Dietary supplements, including herbal products, are used by many individuals who consider them to be inherently safe despite limited regulatory oversight by the Food and Drug Administration. While there may be value to specific botanical ingredients, a potential for adverse effects also exists. The popular product consumed by our patient is used for weight loss and contains willow bark, a source of salicylates. Based on the Naranjo probability scale, it is probable that this case of anaphylaxis was due to this dietary supplement. CONCLUSIONS: The use of any willow bark–containing dietary supplement may present a risk of anaphylactic reaction to patients with a history of allergy to salicylates. Clinicians need to recognize the potential for adverse effects from dietary supplements.

A Systematic Review of Dietary Supplements and Alternative Therapies for Weight Loss

Obesity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1102-1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Batsis ◽  
John W. Apolzan ◽  
Pamela J. Bagley ◽  
Heather B. Blunt ◽  
Vidita Divan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Alternative Therapies

scholarly journals Chromium and cobalt intoxication mimicking mitochondriopathy

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim W. Rattay ◽  
Torsten Kluba ◽  
Ludger Schöls
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Wear Debris ◽  
Hip Prosthesis ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytopathy ◽  
Whole Exome ◽  
Metal On Metal ◽  
Metal Wear ◽  
History Of

AbstractA 53-year old male with a history of progressive visual impairment, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, cardiomyopathy, and weight loss was referred to the rare disease center due to the suspicion of mitochondrial cytopathy. In line with mitochondrial dysfunction, lactate in CSF was increased. Genetic testing by whole-exome sequencing and mitochondrial DNA did not reveal a likely cause. The case remained unsolved until he developed pain in his right hip, where he had received total hip arthroplasty 12 years earlier. An orthopedic evaluation revealed substantial shrinkage of the head of the hip prosthesis. Due to metal-on-metal wear, debris chromium and cobalt levels in serum were massively increased and significantly improved with multisystemic impairment after exchanging the defective implant.

scholarly journals A Content Analysis of Marketing on the Packages of Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss and Muscle Building

2021 ◽  
pp. 101504
Author(s):  
Sophia V. Hua ◽  
Brigitte Granger ◽  
Kelly Bauer ◽  
Christina A. Roberto
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Dietary Supplements

scholarly journals Patterns of Weight Change in Aging and Dying

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 491-491
Author(s):  
Stephen Thielke
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Remaining Life ◽  
Entire Cohort ◽  
History Of

Abstract Little research has characterized the natural history of weight change in older adults. Different changes may occur during aging and dying. We analyzed 18 years of weight measures from a cohort of 736,361 Veterans, all of whom had died at age 70 or older. We produced summary measures that accounted for both chronological age and number of years before death. Several clear population-level trends appeared. (1) The average weight of the sample declined across all ages at a rate of about 0.18 BMI points per year. (2) Starting about seven years before death, the amount of loss began to accelerate, reaching a decline of 0.75 BMI points in the year before death. (3) Changes in weight relative to years of remaining life were independent of chronologic age. People who died at age 70 experienced, on average, the same type and duration of terminal decline as did those who died at age 95. (4) The dying process involved a cumulative loss of about 1.3 BMI points. (5) The distribution of weights during advancing age both declined and narrowed. (6) Disproportionate deaths occurred at the lower BMI ranges (below a BMI of 24), and especially below 18, regardless of age. (7) The finding in #5 is explained by the entire cohort losing weight, with death of the thinnest members. These findings argue for examining survival time in studies of weight change. They indicate that weight loss may be a natural part of dying, rather than a risk factor for it.

scholarly journals Natural History of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: Role of Obesity, Weight Loss, Depression, and Sleep Propensity

SLEEP ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Fernandez-Mendoza ◽  
Alexandros N. Vgontzas ◽  
Ilia Kritikou ◽  
Susan L. Calhoun ◽  
Duanping Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sleep Propensity

scholarly journals Aquaculture Production of the Brown Seaweeds Laminaria digitata and Macrocystis pyrifera: Applications in Food and Pharmaceuticals

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1306
Author(s):  
Diane Purcell-Meyerink ◽  
Michael A. Packer ◽  
Thomas T. Wheeler ◽  
Maria Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Macrocystis Pyrifera ◽  
Fish Feed ◽  
Laminaria Digitata ◽  
Brown Seaweeds ◽  
Commercial Potential ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Use

Seaweeds have a long history of use as food, as flavouring agents, and find use in traditional folk medicine. Seaweed products range from food, feed, and dietary supplements to pharmaceuticals, and from bioenergy intermediates to materials. At present, 98% of the seaweed required by the seaweed industry is provided by five genera and only ten species. The two brown kelp seaweeds Laminaria digitata, a native Irish species, and Macrocystis pyrifera, a native New Zealand species, are not included in these eleven species, although they have been used as dietary supplements and as animal and fish feed. The properties associated with the polysaccharides and proteins from these two species have resulted in increased interest in them, enabling their use as functional foods. Improvements and optimisations in aquaculture methods and bioproduct extractions are essential to realise the commercial potential of these seaweeds. Recent advances in optimising these processes are outlined in this review, as well as potential future applications of L. digitata and, to a greater extent, M. pyrifera which, to date, has been predominately only wild-harvested. These include bio-refinery processing to produce ingredients for nutricosmetics, functional foods, cosmeceuticals, and bioplastics. Areas that currently limit the commercial potential of these two species are highlighted.

scholarly journals The Accuracy of Emergency Physicians’ Suspicions of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 860
Author(s):  
Shiang-Jin Chen ◽  
Chun-Yu Lin ◽  
Tzu-Ling Huang ◽  
Ying-Chi Hsu ◽  
Kuan-Ting Liu
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
General Ward ◽  
Chest Radiographs ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
History Of

Objective: To investigate factors associated with recognition and delayed isolation of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Background: Precise identification of PTB in the emergency department (ED) remains challenging. Methods: Retrospectively reviewed PTB suspects admitted via the ED were divided into three groups based on the acid-fast bacilli culture report and whether they were isolated initially in the ED or general ward. Factors related to recognition and delayed isolation were statistically compared. Results: Only 24.94% (100/401) of PTB suspects were truly active PTB and 33.77% (51/151) of active PTB were unrecognized in the ED. Weight loss (p = 0.022), absence of dyspnea (p = 0.021), and left upper lobe field (p = 0.024) lesions on chest radiographs were related to truly active PTB. Malignancy (p = 0.015), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.047), absence of a history of PTB (p = 0.013), and lack of right upper lung (p ≤ 0.001) and left upper lung (p = 0.020) lesions were associated with PTB being missed in the ED. Conclusions: Weight loss, absence of dyspnea, and left upper lobe field lesions on chest radiographs were related to truly active PTB. Malignancy, chronic kidney disease, absence of a history of PTB, and absence of right and/or left upper lung lesions on chest radiography were associated with isolation delay.

scholarly journals P045 Nothing is too 'cagey' for the rheumatologist

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad F Kazmi
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Careful Monitoring ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Asian Origin ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Chest Clinic ◽  
History Of ◽  
Inflammatory Changes

Abstract Background/Aims  Rheumatological conditions can present with a number of non-specific features like arthralgia, fever, fatigue, weight loss along with raised inflammatory markers and positive antibodies. Due to this, when similar symptoms are referred for input it is very important to consider other ‘mimics’. We report a case of Pigeon fancier’s lung presenting with these symptoms which was referred as likely connective tissue disease. Methods  A 52-year-old lady of South Asian origin was referred by her GP with six month history of 3kg weight loss, arthralgia, fatigue, low grade fever and persistently raised inflammatory markers (ESR ranging from 50-64 mm/hr, CRP 10-14 mg/L, normal BMI). On further questioning there was history of mouth ulcers, non-specific rash, occasional cough but no Raynaud’s or joint swelling. Blood investigations showed weakly positive ANA and RF but negative ENA, DNA, antiCCP , CK, C3,C4. C-ANCA was positive but PR3 negative. CXR was clear and tests for chronic infections including TB were negative. Due to lack of objective CTD signs, plan was to take a careful monitoring approach to see if clinical features evolved. A month later due to worsening cough, a CT chest/abdomen arranged by GP showed ground-glass changes consistent with pneumonitis and hence her rheumatology appointment was expedited to see if there was an autoimmune unifying diagnosis. She was also referred by her GP to the chest clinic in view of CT report and mild shortness of breath. Results  On further review, again there were no objective CTD signs. On direct questioning there was history of travelling before worsening chest symptoms to South Asia. Also around a year before her symptoms started she was given an African grey parrot. Based on this, serology for Avian precipitin was checked which showed strongly positive IgG antibodies to avian antigens (Budgerigar droppings and feathers, Pigeon feathers IgG Abs) confirming the diagnosis of pigeon fanciers lung. She fulfilled the diagnostic criteria and was asked to avoid the trigger. Urgent respiratory input was arranged where diagnosis was agreed with and disease was deemed sub-acute in presentation. Due to PFTs showing low transfer factor of 38%, Prednisolone was started with significant improvement within few days. Review of CT chest only showed inflammatory changes and no established fibrosis predicting excellent prognosis as delay in treatment can cause irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusion  A number of conditions can mimic rheumatological conditions which usually turn out to be either infectious or malignant in origin. This case highlights the importance of considering other differentials and along with taking a travel history also asking for other possible triggers like pets. In similar scenarios the diagnosis may be ‘cagey’ but as rheumatologists we are expected to answers questions which others can’t. Disclosure  M.F. Kazmi: None.

scholarly journals Severe non-exertional rhabdomyolysis from weight loss supplement in sickle cell trait: A perfect storm?

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Titilope Olanipekun ◽  
Valery Effoe ◽  
Ganiat Adeogun ◽  
Agniezka Gaertig ◽  
Myrtle White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Trait ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
African American Female ◽  
Garcinia Cambogia ◽  
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis ◽  
Serum Creatine Phosphokinase ◽  
History Of

Exertional rhabdomyolysis from sickle cell trait has been documented. Also, cases of rhabdomyolysis from the use of weight loss supplements in the setting of sickle cell trait and exertion have been described. However, the role of sickle cell trait in non-exertional rhabdomyolysis is not clear. We present a case of severe non-exertional rhabdomyolysis from weight loss supplement in a patient with sickle cell trait.A 45-year-old African American female with sickle cell trait presented to the emergency department with two days history of fatigue and mild breathlessness. She also reported diarrhea and vomiting for five days before presentation. She admitted to taking Garcinia cambogia (a dietary supplement) for weight loss one week prior to the onset of symptoms. She denied alcohol or drug use, rigorous physical activity or trauma.She was dehydrated on examination. Laboratory values revealed markedly elevated serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatinine levels. Garcinia cambogia was discontinued and she was hydrated with intravenous fluids. Her CPK and creatinine levels significantly trended down and she was discharged home with no apparent sequelae.Our patient had multiple episodes of diarrhea and vomiting likely from the use of Garcinia cambogia. We believe she suffered non-exertional rhabdomyolysis from dehydration in the setting of sickle cell trait. Though dietary weight loss supplements are marketed as generally safe, this case suggests otherwise. We emphasize that clinicians routinely inquire about use of these supplements and provide appropriate counseling to patients on the adverse effects, especially among those with sickle cell trait.

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