Tablets for weight loss can lead to severe poisoning
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Garcinia cambogia is a known bioadditive, which is added to the slimming remedies. But drugs with Garcinia cambogia can pose a health hazard to people who are in parallel undergoing treatment with antidepressants.
A year ago in Oregon, a woman was admitted to the hospital who took the weight loss supplement, which included Garcinia cambogia. Simultaneously, the woman underwent a course of antidepressants prescribed by her doctor . After several months of treatment, the woman had problems with speech (she began to stutter), and she also began to suffer from profuse sweating. In the intensive care unit of the hospital, the woman also had tachycardia, high blood pressure and involuntary muscle spasms. Doctors of the medical center have established in the body of women prohibitive doses of serotonin. During the appointment of antidepressants, the woman did not tell the doctor who was taking the drug to lose weight with Garcinia cambogia, which led to such disastrous consequences.
In this case, specialists can not tell whether the woman had an individual intolerance or whether this reaction is a side effect of such a complex treatment.
The research team decided to check whether, in fact, antidepressants together with drugs for weight loss, which include Garcinia cambogia, are dangerous to health, since the case with an American is a single case.
In their early studies on animals and humans, scientists found that Garcinia cambogia leads to an increase in serotonin in the body. Selective inhibitors and antidepressants have the same effect, i.e. Lead to an increase in serotonin in the body, which ultimately leads to severe poisoning.
Garcinia cambogia is also known as the Indian date (tamarind). The specialists are mixed about whether the drugs with Garcinia cambogia are actually effective for weight loss, however, studies in rodents have shown that high doses of this substance in the body lead to testicular atrophy and have a toxic effect.
Scientists are not able to determine the exact number of people who have suffered from the toxic effects of drugs with Garcinia cambogia. In addition, physicians do not exclude that biologically active additives with Garcinia cambogia can contain other compounds that can affect the body and lead to unexpected consequences.
In addition, as part of the dietary supplements may be absent and the main component, for example, in preparations with valerian, which helped to normalize sleep, Valium was found.
To date, there is no body that would control the components of the bioadditives and their number. Taking drugs, you can be sure what substances and in what quantities the drug contains, which can not be said about dietary supplements (BAA). Therefore, so popular diet pills currently in use can contain Garcinia cambogia, but this compound may not be present in the composition indicated on the package, which can eventually lead to serious poisoning.