We don't know how many will take ephedra, hoodia or one of the many otc weight loss products today, but if you do and you need to go to the doctor, let him/her know. We do know that one in seven U.S. adults has used nonprescription dietary weight loss supplements. the problen is that few tell their doctors.

Women aged 18-34 had the highest reported use of nonprescription dietary weight loss supplements. That news appears in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

The CDC's Heidi Michaels Blanck, PhD, worked on the study with colleagues at the University of South Carolina and Arizona State University.

They interviewed about 9,400 U.S. adults (aged 18 and older) about their weight and weight loss efforts, including the use of nonprescription dietary weight loss supplements. The interviews were conducted by phone.

Fifteen percent of participants said they had ever used such supplements, and nearly 9% said they had done so in the past year.

Ephedra, chromium, and/or bitter orange were the key ingredients in the most commonly used weight loss supplements, the study shows. All three of these ingredients are in Metabadrine.
The FDA banned supplements containing ephedra in April 2004, about 16 months after Blanck's team finished their telephone poll.

Two-thirds of the people who had used weight loss supplements in the past year hadn't discussed use of those supplements with their doctors. That's risky, because stimulants aren't appropriate for some. But don't hold back because of potential drug interactions. Let the doctor know. He may not agree with your decision to take these supplements, but what does he know. They only recommend druge that kill thousands every year (VIOXX).

Manufacturers of products like Metabadrine and Hooda 750 urge doctors and patients to discuss the use of weight loss supplements. Historical useage has proven them to be both safe and effective for healthy individuals. Most physicians assume that supplements are not safe and effective, but they'll get over that. More ephedra and hoodia info to come.