There Is No Shortcut To Slimming

By Sakini Mohd Said KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- "Do you wish to have a slim body within a short period of time without having to go hungry and exercise? "Do you want to slim down without suffering any adverse effects? Then choose brand ... the number-one brand in slimming products." These are just some of the words used to advertise slimming products. Usually, 'catchy' pictures and visuals are used in such advertisements. Most of the times, the pictures show people before and after using the particular product. The outcome is 'amazing.' One person went down to 54 kg from 90 kg after using the product for a short while! In general, all the advertisements on slimming products seem to utilise the same strategy, and various such products are available in the market at shopping centres, night markets and pharmacies; they are also marketed through direct selling. A slimming product can be as cheap as RM10 (US$3.19) or cost as much as thousands of ringgit. These slimming items, along with other cosmetic products, target those who are obsessed with beauty care. However, the question is, are these products really effective? Are they really safe? HUMAN NATURE It is human nature to want everything to be done fast, and this extends to matters of beauty care and slimming. It is by way of nature that a person becomes obese over time. The scenario is the same for those who want to reduce weight and become slim. Therefore, it is wise not to fall prey to a sales person offering slimming products that guarantee a slim body within a short time frame without the need to exercise. "When women perceive that a slim body is related to beauty, they resort to using shortcuts, such as taking these slimming products. "Coupled with factors like having no time to exercise, the rising levels of obesity among people have boosted the demand for slimming products and the flooding of such items in the market," stated Siti Aida Abdullah, the Health Ministry's deputy director of the Products Registration Centre, National Pharmaceutical Control. IS IT SAFE? The medical authorities have taken action against these products, such as blacklisting and seizing them. The seized products include cosmetics containing scheduled poisons that can endanger the health of consumers. The operations conducted by the authorities have been extensively reported through the mass media. The media also have reported cases of consumers who were cheated by these products, including some cases wherein the consumers experienced 'disastrous' results that were totally unexpected. Despite these exposures, many people continue to use these products in the hope of obtaining a beautiful body. "It must be remembered that for registered natural products, their efficacy as slimming products is based only on the evidence of the traditional way of utilisation, as natural products in Malaysia are only evaluated in terms of their safety and quality. "Whether the products can really work – that cannot be evaluated as there is no scientific evidence," Siti Aida remarked. She advised consumers to exercise caution because the slimming products may be blended with synthetic elements, particularly the items that are sold 'online' or via direct selling, as they are not registered and there are doubts regarding their status. SHOULD THEY BE TOTALLY AVOIDED? Should consumers totally avoid these sliming products? Siti Aida suggested that consumers should not allow themselves to be easily hoodwinked by these products, and if they really want to use them, then they should choose those products that are registered with the ministry's Drug Control Authority (PBKD). According to Siti Aida, all products marketed in Malaysia need to be registered with the PBKD, while a cosmetic product needs to undergo a notification procedure before it can be made, imported or sold in the country. Products registered with PBKD should have a registration number beginning with 'MAL,' which gives assurance in terms of safety and quality. Those who are using slimming drugs should inform the doctor about these drugs to prevent any complications and reactions from other drugs or medications prescribed for other problems. Members of the public are encouraged to lodge reports with the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (BPFK) if they have any doubts regarding the quality and safety of traditional or cosmetic products. The complaints can be lodged at www.bpfk.gov.my. HERBS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES People are familiar with advertisements that proclaim: "No side effects as 100 per cent natural herbs are used." Is this true? Consumers have always believed that when natural herbs are used, the product is completely safe for use. But do they realise the fact that the product may contain toxic substances? "There are many toxic herbs which are not to be used in traditional products, including slimming products. These herbs, if their usage is not controlled, may affect major organs such as the liver and kidneys," she cautioned. So far, the PBKD has identified several herbs that can have adverse effects, like Magnolia officinalis, which can damage the kidneys, and Hydrastis canadensis, which can affect the nervous system. Apart from the use of toxic herbs, natural slimming products may also be blended with banned substances. In their eagerness to meet the consumer demands, some producers resort to adding banned substances to their products, such as phenteramine, amphetamine, sibutramine and phenfluramine, to reduce appetite and control body weight. According to Siti Aida, only three products containing phenteramine are registered in Malaysia, which can only be obtained using prescriptions issued by medical practitioners, while the registration of sibutramine-based products has been withdrawn because the substance can cause cardiovascular problems. MONITORING It is no secret that some producers resort to adding prohibited substances to their products to provide 'the best effects' to consumers after the products have gained approval from the authorities. Hence, the authorities carry out regular monitoring after the products are registered, including sampling the items that are available in the market. "If they are found to have flouted the regulations, the product registration is revoked and the company that holds the registration is required to recall all of the products from the market," explained Siti Aida. Information on the revocation of registrations will be made available in the print media or on the websites www.pharmacy.gov.my and www.bpfk.gov.my. There is no quick way to get a slim and attractive physique. The best route to slimming involves exercising and consuming a balanced diet. The PBKD has included the words 'a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential' on the labels of the slimming products that are registered with the authority. This is to remind consumers of the importance of good health management. -- BERNAMA