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CNN Live At Daybreak

What's the Deal With Some of the Newer Weight Loss Supplements?

Aired November 12, 2003 - 06:52   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about dieting now, because I know many of you are exercising. We're going to talk about the dangers of diet pills this morning. We know that ephedra is a no- no. But what's the deal with some of the newer weight loss supplements?
Our favorite nutritionist, Lisa Drayer of Dietwatch.com, is here live.

Welcome to Atlanta.

LISA DRAYER, NUTRITIONIST: Thank you, Carol.

COSTELLO: We're glad to see you in person.

So, manufacturers are taking the ephedra out of the pills.

DRAYER: Right.

COSTELLO: But what have they replaced it with?

DRAYER: Some ingredients that may not be very safe. For example, they have the new drug-free Dexatrim. But each tablet contains 80 milligrams of caffeine. You take three per day, you're going to feel a jolt. And, Carol, the label warns not to take it if you start to experience headaches, dizziness or shortness of breath.

COSTELLO: Eighty milligrams of caffeine.

DRAYER: That's about...

COSTELLO: I know that's a lot.

DRAYER: That's about what you would find in a cup of coffee.

COSTELLO: Oh, well, but that's not bad, when you put it that way.

DRAYER: Well, if you're taking three per day and then you combine it with other caffeinated products, then you're heading to (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

COSTELLO: Oh, yes, then you're moving.

DRAYER: Right. And this one, too. This is the ephedra-free Diet Fuel. But this has guarana. That's actually an herb that is very similar to ephedra. It can cause jitteriness and high blood pressure. So just be careful with that one.

COSTELLO: OK.

DRAYER: And your Grapefruit Diet...

COSTELLO: Grapefruit Diet.

DRAYER: ... has the grapefruit powder extract, although it hasn't been clinically proven. But, Carol, this has over 1,000 percent of the daily value for Vitamin B6. And we need Vitamin B6. But too much can be toxic and lead to nerve damage if taken over time.

COSTELLO: Oh, you're kidding?

DRAYER: I'm not kidding.

COSTELLO: OK.

DRAYER: Stay away from that.

COSTELLO: Green tea.

DRAYER: Green tea.

COSTELLO: Green tea is supposed to be good for you.

DRAYER: It is and it has many benefits. However, stick to the beverage. There are other herbs in here that have not been proven safe or effective.

COSTELLO: And how would this like suppress your appetite? I don't get it.

DRAYER: There are a lot of herbs in there that they're putting in there, and the main ingredient there is the actual extract from the green tea, which has been shown to be beneficial. But we don't necessarily know about the long-term safety and efficacy in the tablet form. So do stick with the beverage.

COSTELLO: OK, the last one is $59.99.

DRAYER: Carol, this one is such a joke. Sweet-Enders. You know, it helps stop your craving for sweets, but it is a sweet. It's actually, there are sugar substitutes in these lozenges. So they tell you to take this to stop your craving, but it is a sweet in itself.

COSTELLO: Yes, but these are very tempting to buy because many people, even though they diet, they don't lose weight.

DRAYER: Exactly.

COSTELLO: So what are some of the reasons they may not be losing weight, so they don't have to take this stuff?

DRAYER: Yes, it's not a good idea to take these. But, first of all, it could be due to an underlying thyroid condition. If you have an under active thyroid, be sure to check that out with your doctor. He could prescribe some medication to correct that. That can prevent you from losing weight. Also, medications like anti-depressants or steroid medications unfortunately are often associated with weight gain. So, again, check with your doctor. Maybe an adjustment can be made.

Also, too many unconscious calories. You know, a lot of times, whether it's if we're nibbling on nuts or even beverages like soda and drinks...

COSTELLO: Bad news.

DRAYER: Bad news. A lot of calories.

COSTELLO: That's right.

DRAYER: Right.

COSTELLO: Too much weight lifting?

DRAYER: Yes. Weight lifting is a great thing, but muscle does weigh more than fat, so it could be, if you're doing a lot of weight lifting, you might not see the numbers on the scale going down, but you are getting toned and eventually you will burn extra calories.

COSTELLO: Yes, and the more you weight lift, the more muscle you build, and that actually burns calories.

DRAYER: Yes. But initially it might not cause the scale to go down.

COSTELLO: Yes. Initially you'll freak out.

The last one quickly, because we've got to go.

DRAYER: Sure. Sure. If you're at a comfortable weight, your body will resist losing more weight. In that case, don't bother cutting back any further on calories. You're just not going to be giving your body enough energy that it needs to maintain its daily functions.

COSTELLO: Well, that's depressing.

DRAYER: But you're at a good weight at that point.

COSTELLO: OK. Well, that's good news.

Lisa Drayer, many thanks, and have fun in Atlanta.

We appreciate your being here.

DRAYER: Thank you. Great to be here.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Supplements?>


Aired November 12, 2003 - 06:52   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about dieting now, because I know many of you are exercising. We're going to talk about the dangers of diet pills this morning. We know that ephedra is a no- no. But what's the deal with some of the newer weight loss supplements?
Our favorite nutritionist, Lisa Drayer of Dietwatch.com, is here live.

Welcome to Atlanta.

LISA DRAYER, NUTRITIONIST: Thank you, Carol.

COSTELLO: We're glad to see you in person.

So, manufacturers are taking the ephedra out of the pills.

DRAYER: Right.

COSTELLO: But what have they replaced it with?

DRAYER: Some ingredients that may not be very safe. For example, they have the new drug-free Dexatrim. But each tablet contains 80 milligrams of caffeine. You take three per day, you're going to feel a jolt. And, Carol, the label warns not to take it if you start to experience headaches, dizziness or shortness of breath.

COSTELLO: Eighty milligrams of caffeine.

DRAYER: That's about...

COSTELLO: I know that's a lot.

DRAYER: That's about what you would find in a cup of coffee.

COSTELLO: Oh, well, but that's not bad, when you put it that way.

DRAYER: Well, if you're taking three per day and then you combine it with other caffeinated products, then you're heading to (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

COSTELLO: Oh, yes, then you're moving.

DRAYER: Right. And this one, too. This is the ephedra-free Diet Fuel. But this has guarana. That's actually an herb that is very similar to ephedra. It can cause jitteriness and high blood pressure. So just be careful with that one.

COSTELLO: OK.

DRAYER: And your Grapefruit Diet...

COSTELLO: Grapefruit Diet.

DRAYER: ... has the grapefruit powder extract, although it hasn't been clinically proven. But, Carol, this has over 1,000 percent of the daily value for Vitamin B6. And we need Vitamin B6. But too much can be toxic and lead to nerve damage if taken over time.

COSTELLO: Oh, you're kidding?

DRAYER: I'm not kidding.

COSTELLO: OK.

DRAYER: Stay away from that.

COSTELLO: Green tea.

DRAYER: Green tea.

COSTELLO: Green tea is supposed to be good for you.

DRAYER: It is and it has many benefits. However, stick to the beverage. There are other herbs in here that have not been proven safe or effective.

COSTELLO: And how would this like suppress your appetite? I don't get it.

DRAYER: There are a lot of herbs in there that they're putting in there, and the main ingredient there is the actual extract from the green tea, which has been shown to be beneficial. But we don't necessarily know about the long-term safety and efficacy in the tablet form. So do stick with the beverage.

COSTELLO: OK, the last one is $59.99.

DRAYER: Carol, this one is such a joke. Sweet-Enders. You know, it helps stop your craving for sweets, but it is a sweet. It's actually, there are sugar substitutes in these lozenges. So they tell you to take this to stop your craving, but it is a sweet in itself.

COSTELLO: Yes, but these are very tempting to buy because many people, even though they diet, they don't lose weight.

DRAYER: Exactly.

COSTELLO: So what are some of the reasons they may not be losing weight, so they don't have to take this stuff?

DRAYER: Yes, it's not a good idea to take these. But, first of all, it could be due to an underlying thyroid condition. If you have an under active thyroid, be sure to check that out with your doctor. He could prescribe some medication to correct that. That can prevent you from losing weight. Also, medications like anti-depressants or steroid medications unfortunately are often associated with weight gain. So, again, check with your doctor. Maybe an adjustment can be made.

Also, too many unconscious calories. You know, a lot of times, whether it's if we're nibbling on nuts or even beverages like soda and drinks...

COSTELLO: Bad news.

DRAYER: Bad news. A lot of calories.

COSTELLO: That's right.

DRAYER: Right.

COSTELLO: Too much weight lifting?

DRAYER: Yes. Weight lifting is a great thing, but muscle does weigh more than fat, so it could be, if you're doing a lot of weight lifting, you might not see the numbers on the scale going down, but you are getting toned and eventually you will burn extra calories.

COSTELLO: Yes, and the more you weight lift, the more muscle you build, and that actually burns calories.

DRAYER: Yes. But initially it might not cause the scale to go down.

COSTELLO: Yes. Initially you'll freak out.

The last one quickly, because we've got to go.

DRAYER: Sure. Sure. If you're at a comfortable weight, your body will resist losing more weight. In that case, don't bother cutting back any further on calories. You're just not going to be giving your body enough energy that it needs to maintain its daily functions.

COSTELLO: Well, that's depressing.

DRAYER: But you're at a good weight at that point.

COSTELLO: OK. Well, that's good news.

Lisa Drayer, many thanks, and have fun in Atlanta.

We appreciate your being here.

DRAYER: Thank you. Great to be here.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Supplements?>