The Consumer Council has released a test report on slimming health food products and found all of the 27 samples to contain the laxative anthraquinones, a group of compounds that stimulate bowel movements.
At present, there is no legal limit for anthraquinones in health food products. Consumers should be cautious of over-dosage or developing user dependence.
In a study, the Consumer Council has sought advice from experts in Chinese and western medicines, and the Department of Health.
According to the experts, a suitable daily dosage of anthraquinones is effective in stimulating bowel movements. Samples of capsules, pills, and tablets included in the test were found to range, in maximum daily dosage, from 1.35 mg to 41.2 mg, a variance of 30 times.
Taking in an amount too large may result in side effects like abdominal cramp, nausea, imbalance in body electrolytes, etc. Even if the dosage is not high, the duration of continuous intake of the laxative should not be longer than two weeks. Otherwise it may lead to dependence.
The experts also cautioned that pregnant women and women in breastfeeding should avoid products containing anthraquinones. But the Council found only about 70% of the test samples to carry such warning statements on the product label. Manufacturers are urged to put appropriate warnings on their products.
Further, consumers are advised to consult registered or listed TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioners should they wish to control the body weight with products containing TCM herbs.
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