TrimSpa

TrimSpa is a dietary supplement designed for weight loss, marketed by the company Goen Technologies, headed by Alex Goen. Celebrity Anna Nicole Smith was its spokesperson. Various products marketed by TrimSpa are claimed to help "stave off hunger".^[1] TrimSpa formerly contained ephedra until that ingredient was banned in the U.S.. The new TrimSpa formula X32 contains no ephedra. Its active ingredient is Hoodia gordonii, along with the stimulants caffeine and theobromine.

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Composition

Hoodia is a succulent native to Africa which is currently under investigation for use as an appetite suppressant. However, it has not been conclusively demonstrated that Hoodia works as an appetite suppressant in humans. No published peer-reviewed double-blind clinical trials have been performed on humans to investigate the safety or effectiveness of Hoodia gordonii in pill form as a nutritional supplement.

In addition to Hoodia gordonii, TrimSpa X32 tablets contain ingredients that may help promote weight loss, including green tea, glucomannan, cocoa extract, vanadium, and glucosamine.^[2] According to the manufacturer's labeling, TrimSpa X32 pills are taken 3 times per day minimum, 6 maximum.^[2]

TrimSpa X32 also contains chromium.^[2] Chromium may be beneficial in glucose regulation.^[3] The stimulant components are hoodia gordonii and components containing caffeine (green tea and cocoa extracts).

TrimSpa expanded its weight-loss aids in 2006 to include a fruit-based bar, FROODIA, containing 400 mg of African Hoodia gordonii.

Federal Trade Commission fine for false claims

On January 4, 2007 the U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced that the marketers of TrimSpa had agreed to pay a settlement of $1.5 million in response to an FTC complaint of making unsupported claims in advertisements, and were also prohibited "from making any claims about the health benefits, performance, efficacy, safety, or side effects of TrimSpa, Hoodia gordonii, or any dietary supplement, food, drug, or health-related service or program, unless the claims are true, not misleading, and substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence." The FTC also announced similar settlements with the marketers of Xenadrine EFX, CortiSlim, and One-A-Day WeightSmart.^[4]

Over-the-counter disclaimer

TrimSpa is considered a dietary supplement, and therefore, is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as such.^[5] The dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that TrimSpa is safe before it is marketed. Hence, TrimSpa's safety and effectiveness have not been reviewed by the FDA.

Celebrity Endorsements

The model Anna Nicole Smith made TrimSpa famous in commercials with the phrase "TrimSpa, Baby!". Following her death, there has been speculation in the media about the company's future. [1]

See also

• Appetite suppressant

References

1. ^ TrimSpa.com. Product Information. Last accessed July 13, 2007.
2. ^ ^{a b c} TrimSpa. "TrimSpa X32 label"
3. ^ PDRhealth.com. "Chromium." Last accessed July 13, 2007.
4. ^ Federal Trade Commission. Federal Trade Commission reaches “New Year’s” resolutions with four major weight-control pill marketers (4 Jan. 2007).
5. ^ United States Food & Drug Administration. "Dietary Supplements." Last updated July 6, 2007. Last accessed July 13, 2007.