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# Many natural weight loss pills are adulterated with drugs
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/natural_weight_loss_pills_are_adulterated_with_drugs_0521160715/
- Published: 2016-05-21T20:13:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:25:20.000Z
- Description: Researchers testing 160 “100% natural” weight loss supplements bought online found 56% contained at least one of six prescription drug ingredients, most often sibutramine and phenolphthalein. Some drugs detected were withdrawn years ago because of toxicity.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Supplements, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

A new study suggests many so called 100% natural weight loss pills or formulations you purchase over the Internet may actually contain prescription drugs with some known to be toxic. 

The study found 56% of 160 100% natural food supplements indicated for weight loss, which were purchased over the Internet, contained one or more of six active pharmaceutical ingredients (drugs). 

The active pharmaceutical weight loss ingredients that were most commonly found in these "100% natural" food supplements were sibutramine and phenolphthalein. 

Other drug ingredients found in the "100% natural" weight loss dietary supplements included sildenafil, fluoxetine, orlistat and lorcaserine. 

Some combinations of these weight loss drugs were withdrawn years ago because of their toxicity, according to the study report. (David Liu)

*Rabab Hachema, Gaëtan Assemata, Nathalie Martinsb, Stéphane Balayssaca, Véronique Gilarda, Robert Martinoa, Myriam Malet-Martinoa, Proton NMR for detection, identification and quantification of adulterants in 160 herbal food supplements marketed for weight loss, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, Volume 124, 30 May 2016, Pages 34–47*