Milly Gaines
Metabolife 356, an ephedra supplement, was initially marketed as a bodybuilding supplement but was rebranded as a diet pill in 1995. The product became highly successful, with sales in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Metabolife contains ephedrine and caffeine, which have been linked to thousands of adverse events, including almost 100 deaths. Despite the potentially deadly side effects, consumers continue to take these pills, with an estimated 225,000 pills consumed every hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Ephedrine, Caffeine |
| Other Ingredients | Chromium, Garcinia Cambogia (Super CitriMax®), Meratrim |
| Manufacturer | Chemins |
| Marketer | Metabolife |
| Marketing Strategy | Enlisting customers to advertise and sell the supplement |
| Annual Sales | Hundreds of millions of dollars |
| Side Effects | Nervousness, tremors, nausea |
| Adverse Effects | Linked to thousands of serious adverse events, including deaths |
| FDA Status | Banned in 2004 |
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What You'll Learn
Ephedra, an herbal supplement linked to almost 100 deaths
Metabolife 356 is an herbal supplement that contains ephedra, a substance that has been linked to almost 100 deaths. Despite its potentially deadly side effects, the supplement has been a commercial success, generating $1 billion in sales. Metabolife has been marketed as a bodybuilding supplement and a diet aid for those seeking an energy boost or weight loss.
Ephedra is a natural substance, and under a 1994 federal law, such substances can be sold freely as dietary supplements unless they are proven to be dangerous. Marketers are not supposed to make explicit therapeutic claims, but Metabolife promotional materials have come close, stating that the product "will increase your energy level and assist in weight loss." The product label also carries a voluntary warning, advising users to "reduce [intake] if nervousness, tremor [or] nausea occur."
The main active ingredients in Metabolife 356 are ephedrine and caffeine, which have been shown to produce modest weight loss in some trials. However, there are legitimate concerns about the safety of ephedrine products, and many common medical conditions associated with obesity may be worsened by ephedrine use. In addition, there is no evidence that the additional ingredients in Metabolife 356 provide any clinical benefit toward weight loss or protection from adverse effects.
The manufacturer of Metabolife 356, Chemins, has faced scrutiny for its role in lobbying against the regulation of ephedra. The company formed an advocacy group called the Dietary Supplement Safety and Science Coalition and contributed financially to several politicians. Despite these efforts, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of ephedra-containing dietary supplements in 2004 due to their link to thousands of serious adverse events, including deaths.
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Ephedrine and caffeine, which have been linked to adverse effects
Metabolife is a popular supplement that combines ephedra with caffeine. Ephedrine, derived from the ephedra plant, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Caffeine is also a CNS stimulant and a cardiovascular stimulant.
Ephedrine and caffeine have been linked to adverse effects. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had received over 18,000 reports of adverse effects from ephedrine use by 2004. The adverse effects of ephedrine are well-known and may be serious. Ephedrine can cause cardiovascular issues such as tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, and vasoconstriction with hypertension. It can also lead to genitourinary problems like decreased urination due to vasoconstriction of renal arteries. Ephedrine can also impact the nervous system, causing restlessness, confusion, insomnia, mild euphoria, mania, hallucinations, delusions, and formication.
The combination of ephedrine and caffeine may also lead to serious cardiovascular events. A study in Denmark from 1995 to 2001 found an association between the use of prescribed ephedrine/caffeine and cardiovascular morbidity. The odds ratio associating ephedrine/caffeine use with an adverse cardiovascular outcome was 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.71, 1.00).
In addition to the risks associated with the combination of ephedrine and caffeine, there are concerns about the safety of ephedrine products in general. The FDA has banned the sale of ephedrine-containing dietary supplements due to their potentially deadly side effects. Metabolife, which contains 12 mg of ephedra per tablet, has been linked to almost 100 deaths. Despite these concerns, consumers continue to use Metabolife and similar supplements, driven by the desire for weight loss and energy boosts.
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Super CitriMax, which helps reduce appetite
Metabolife is a popular weight-loss supplement that contains ephedra, an herbal supplement that has been linked to almost 100 deaths. Despite its potentially deadly side effects, it has generated $1 billion in sales. Metabolife 356, a variant of Metabolife, contains synthetic ephedrine and caffeine, which have been banned by the FDA when mixed. However, Metabolife 356 is not banned due to its use of ephedrine derived from the herb ephedra.
Super CitriMax is a natural, stimulant-free supplement that supports weight management by reducing hunger signals. It contains 60% hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is involved in regulating fat metabolism. Research has shown that Super CitriMax is absorbed and retained by obese subjects, with blood levels of HCA peaking two hours after ingestion and remaining in the blood for between four and nine hours. The recommended dosage level is 1,500 mg of Super CitriMax, taken three times a day, delivering a daily total of 2,700 mg of HCA.
Human and animal studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of CitriMax in treating obesity. In a 1996 double-blind, placebo-controlled study, obese subjects consuming HCA experienced significantly greater weight loss and reduced appetite compared to subjects on a placebo. Later studies questioned the effectiveness of HCA, suggesting that higher doses may be required to achieve results. To address this, InterHealth introduced Super CitriMax, a patent-pending form of HCA that is bound to the minerals calcium and potassium.
Super CitriMax promotes normal carbohydrate metabolism and helps curb hunger signals. It works by inhibiting the conversion of excess carbohydrates into stored fat while promoting glycogen formation for stored energy. When paired with healthy dietary changes and moderate exercise, Super CitriMax can provide an edge in achieving weight management goals. It is available in capsule form from Mother Earth Natural Health and can be purchased on Amazon.
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$19.95 $26.95
Chromium, which helps reduce body fat
Metabolife is a popular supplement for those looking for an energy boost or trying to lose weight. It contains ephedra, an herbal supplement that has been linked to almost 100 deaths. Despite its potentially deadly side effects, Metabolife has generated $1 billion in sales. Metabolife 356, a complex mixture of many herbs, contains ephedrine and caffeine as its main components. However, there is little evidence supporting the effectiveness of these ingredients in weight loss.
Chromium is an essential trace mineral that helps reduce body fat. It is involved in the regulation of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. Chromium has been reported to increase lean body mass and decrease body fat percentage, which may lead to weight loss. The effects of chromium on body composition are supported by animal studies and there have been no confirmed negative effects in nutritional studies. However, it is important to note that chromium is only a small part of the puzzle in weight loss and its effects are likely to be small compared to those of exercise and a well-balanced diet.
Chromium plays a crucial role in improving the action of natural insulin. It is a cofactor necessary for insulin activity and supplementation with chromium has been shown to improve glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and body composition in human trials. Chromium may also suppress appetite and stimulate thermogenesis by sensitizing insulin-sensitive glucoreceptors in the brain. Additionally, chromium may improve impaired glucose tolerance and reduce elevated blood lipid concentrations, resulting in improved body composition in some individuals.
Chromium picolinate (CrP) is a supplemental form of chromium advocated in medical literature for weight reduction. Preparations containing CrP are sold as slimming aids in the USA and Europe. A meta-analysis of 10 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials provided evidence of a relatively small reduction in body weight in overweight and obese individuals receiving CrP. However, it is important to note that the results of chromium supplementation may vary depending on an individual's chromium status, diet, type and amount of supplemental chromium, and study duration.
In summary, chromium is an essential mineral that plays a role in metabolism and insulin function, and it may aid in reducing body fat. While chromium supplementation has shown some promising results in weight loss, it should be noted that its effects are likely to be modest compared to those of a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen. As always, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or weight loss program.
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Marketing and lobbying, which helped Metabolife become highly successful
Metabolife International, Inc. was a multi-level marketing company based in San Diego, California, that manufactured dietary supplements. Its best-selling product, an ephedra supplement called Metabolife 356, generated hundreds of millions of dollars in annual sales. The product became highly successful due to a marketing plan that enlisted customers to advertise and sell the supplement.
The marketing strategy of Metabolife played a crucial role in its success. The company utilised a multi-level marketing approach, where satisfied customers were encouraged to become independent dealers and sellers of the supplement. This strategy helped create a network of enthusiastic and passionate advocates for the product, who shared their positive experiences with others, driving word-of-mouth promotion.
Additionally, Metabolife's marketing materials emphasised the product's ability to increase energy levels and assist in weight loss by boosting the body's metabolic rate. This messaging resonated with individuals seeking convenient and effective weight loss solutions, tapping into a strong consumer appetite for such products. The company also explored unique promotional opportunities, such as offering the Russian government $15 million to paint its logo on a rocket bound for the International Space Station and incorporating its supplement into the cosmonauts' diets.
Beyond marketing, Metabolife engaged in extensive lobbying activities to influence regulations surrounding its products. The company actively lobbied against the regulation of ephedra, a key ingredient in its supplements. Metabolife formed an advocacy group called the Dietary Supplement Safety and Science Coalition and contributed significant amounts of money to politicians and lobbyists. During the late 1990s, the company contributed $1.6 million to both major political parties and almost $3 million to lobbyists.
Metabolife's lobbying efforts had a direct impact on policy decisions. For example, the company contributed $10,000 to then-Governor of Texas George W. Bush, who subsequently intervened to stop regulations that would have banned over-the-counter sales of ephedra. This intervention demonstrates the influence Metabolife wielded through its lobbying activities, allowing it to shape the regulatory environment in its favour and maintain the availability of its products in the market.
In conclusion, the success of Metabolife was driven by a combination of clever marketing strategies and aggressive lobbying efforts. The company's ability to enlist customers as advocates, its compelling messaging, and its influence on policy decisions all contributed to its remarkable financial achievements, despite the questionable safety profile of its products.
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Frequently asked questions
The main ingredient in Metabolife was ephedra, an herbal supplement.
Metabolife also contained caffeine, chromium, and Super CitriMax®.
Metabolife was marketed as a way to "increase your energy level and assist in weight loss" by "increasing the metabolic rate in your body".
No, Metabolife was linked to thousands of adverse events, including almost 100 deaths, which led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banning the sale of ephedra-containing dietary supplements in 2004.
Metabolife became highly successful due to a marketing strategy that enlisted customers to advertise and sell the supplement.
