A recently conducted survey indicates the gravity of health problems due to diet supplements for weight loss which are being sold in the market. It claimed that such products are major cause of cardiovascular and psychiatric side-effects. The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has advocated ban of as many as 10 such pills in order to avoid any threat to the lives of people.

The survey analyzed 82 such products which are threat to human life. The pills include Hydroxycut Hardcore, Lipo 6, Dymaburn Xtreme and Redline that needs to be immediately withdrawn from the market. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has already banned Yohimbine, a major component of these products.

Ephedra can lead to psychiatric symptoms, palpitation and death as it contains some contents dangerous for human beings. Products that contain chromium picolinate, caffeine, green tea, garcinia and guarana have also been ranked in the dangerous category.

Dr. Kurian said, "While many of these items can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, others are nearly ineffective in helping individuals lose weight. People who start taking these supplements, even if it is harmless, start relying solely on them without following up with exercise and a balanced diet, and this is always counter-productive."