Thandi Xaba
A vigorous lifestyle and the desire to be healthier impact a lot of people. A rising number of different methods to lose weight can spiral out of control if not regulated. The fame surrounding slimming herbal medications, just to mention but a few, are seeing some people having dire side-effects due to the intake.
Recently a 52-year-old South African female was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, a condition of having an overactive thyroid where your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. After tests done on her diet green tea capsules, a clinical and biochemical diagnosis of hyperthyroidism secondary to exogenous thyroid hormone was made.
Despite the benefits of some herbal beverages, a Bloemfontein clinical pathologist says, "Our medicines in South Africa are controlled by the Medicine Control Council (MCC), but that is only for prescription drugs. So all other supplements and vitamins that are not prescription drugs are not controlled at all."
Clinical observation has led to the suspicion that dietary supplements containing green tea might also have some added thyroid hormone. "There is no proving this since in South Africa there are no perfect and accurate testing facilities to give accurate results. The high suspicion is that the hormone is intentionally added in the slimming diet supplements, which sometimes also, contain green tea."
Specialists attest that green tea itself is not harmful, but what seems to be a threat to consumers is the content in un-prescribed dietary supplements.
"Most of the diet tablets contain caffeine and too much thyroid and caffeine can end up in heart failure or even more severe health problems. One will need to be sure and well examined by a proper clinician before diagnosed," says the pathologist.
Dietary supplements, mostly capsules, are easily obtained from the internet and not just from small, unauthorised herbal shops most are so wary of. Furthermore, according to specialists there isn’t any proof, regulation or control over the advertisements and the manufacturing process regarding herbal supplements or vitamins.
To which the local pathologist add, "If someone advertises all natural and all herbal supplements that will help with weight loss, there is no proof of active ingredients in the product. Even herbal supplements may still contain active ingredients that stimulate your thyroid hormone to being over active, ending up in a hyper thyroid crisis."
Assuredly, Bloemfontein dietician Ilsabe Spoelstra says, there are many benefits gained from consuming green and herbal products, but like with everything, it should be taken in moderation.
