Are you taking dangerous diet pills?

A few days ago, the FDA expanded their list of weight-loss supplements that consumers should avoid because they may contain undeclared, potentially harmful ingredients. Translation: You could be swallowing more than you bargained for. The list of substances found in some of these supplements include prescription ingredients that can cause serious medical side effects or drugs or herbs that can dangerously interact with meds you're already taking.

The list of dubious ingredients--click here for the names of the pills--even includes an anti-seizure medication and an antidepressant (!!!). The bottom line: Don't EVER take a weight loss supplement unless it's been prescribed or OK'd by your doctor. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Is the economy making you fat? What you need to know to put a stop to recession-stress weight gain!If you or someone you know has experienced any negative health side effects from a supplement, first call your doctor. Then, be sure to report it to the FDA  at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm.

I'll blog about something more upbeat next week (like you need to read more bad news during these trying times!), but I want women to be aware--the Madoffs of the world aren't just lurking in the finance sector. Safe dieting everyone!

Related: You can net big body changes with one tiny tweak in your eating habits. Meet several women who made the switch and succeeded.

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