Ten weight-loss products banned

A recent survey into products available as diet supplements for weight loss in Abu Dhabi emirate has found many containing ingredients that have major cardiovascular and psychiatric side-effects. Following a study into 82 such products, the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has recommended that ten of them be taken off the shelves because of the health risks they pose to consumers, including Hydroxycut Hardcore, Lipo 6, Dymaburn Xtreme and Redline. The products were all found to contain yohimbine, an ingredient banned in the UAE by a ministerial resolution in 1988 because it causes cardiovascular side effects, heart failure and even death. In addition, one product also contained ephedra — which could cause psychiatric symptoms, palpitation and death — while another had tryptophan, which causes a potentially fatal muscle disorder that could lead to death.