Consumers Experience Hair Loss, Diarrhea From Diet Supplement

[DeSwiss]

Consumers experience hair loss, diarrhea from diet supplement

The Tennessean
By Claudia Pinto
March 28, 2008

Three Tennesseans were poisoned after drinking a liquid dietary supplement, according to the state's department of health. FDA officials are warning anyone who has purchased tropical orange or peach nectar flavors of Total Body Formula or the orange-tangerine flavor of Total Body Mega Formula to throw the products away. Tennessee is one of 15 states where the products are sold.

The three Tennesseans who were sickened are from the eastern part of the state, according to Andrea Turner, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Health. They all experienced significant hair loss, muscle cramping, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue, three to 10 days after drinking the tainted products. "None of them were sick enough to require hospitalization," Turner said.

The FDA reports that the products may have contained excessive amounts of a mineral called selenium. The product, which has been recalled, is sold over the Internet and in health food stores. In addition to the three Tennesseans affected, the Florida Department of Health reports that 23 people experienced serious reactions.

Anyone who was taking the dietary supplement and is experiencing an adverse reaction should contact their doctor. For more information, people can call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/NEWS/80328058/0/NEWS01">LINK

- Dare I ask where this stuff is made????
========================================================================
DeSwiss


http://atheisttoolbox.com/">The Atheist Toolbox

[msongs]

1. dare you ask why people actually buy this kind of crap? nt

[flvegan]

2. Total Body Nutrition makes this crap in Atlanta, I believe.

Makes it poorly, obviously.

[Warpy]

4. That's a real problem with the whole industry

Supplements are not tested for quality control. They've found dummy pills substituted for expensive supplements like DHEA and herbs substituted for each other in herbal capsules. When the right herbs are there, the potency can vary widely.

Some reputable companies self police and do test their products for quality assurance. Most don't.

[livvy]

3. Selenium

What is selenium?
Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts <1,2>. Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease <2,3>. Other selenoproteins help regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system <4-7>.


What foods provide selenium?
Plant foods are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries throughout the world. The content of selenium in food depends on the selenium content of the soil where plants are grown or animals are raised. For example, researchers know that soils in the high plains of northern Nebraska and the Dakotas have very high levels of selenium. People living in those regions generally have the highest selenium intakes in the United States (U.S.) <8>. In the U.S., food distribution patterns across the country help prevent people living in low-selenium geographic areas from having low dietary selenium intakes. Soils in some parts of China and Russia have very low amounts of selenium. Selenium deficiency is often reported in those regions because most food in those areas is grown and eaten locally.

Selenium also can be found in some meats and seafood. Animals that eat grains or plants that were grown in selenium-rich soil have higher levels of selenium in their muscle. In the U.S., meats and bread are common sources of dietary selenium <9,10>. Some nuts are also sources of selenium.


What is the health risk of too much selenium?
High blood levels of selenium (greater than 100 μg/dL) can result in a condition called selenosis <62>. Symptoms of selenosis include gastrointestinal upsets, hair loss, white blotchy nails, garlic breath odor, fatigue, irritability, and mild nerve damage <2>.

much more info at site

http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium.asp