Many of us take supplements to help boost our health—but sometimes these products may end up being more harmful than they are helpful. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already had to alert consumers about several supplement recalls this year alone. Back in February, Volt Candy pulled some of its male enhancement capsules over unlisted ingredients, and then in March, Natural Solutions Foundation was forced to recall a dietary supplement that was being advertised as a COVID-19 cure.
Now, the agency is alerting consumers about yet another concern. Read on to find out which supplements are currently being recalled over "unapproved ingredients."
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The FDA is warning consumers about a new supplement recall.
FDAThere might be trouble brewing in your medicine cabinet. In an April 27 press release, the FDA announced that TruVision Health LLC is recalling several of their dietary supplement products. According to the agency, a total of 12 items are affected. This includes two of the company's TruBoost supplement drinks, as well as several different capsules types and stick packs.
"The product bears the TruVision Health or the Truvy brand name," the FDA said in its release. "Lot numbers are located on the end flap of the carton or the back of the bag."
These products contain unapproved ingredients.
FDATruVision Health is recalling these supplement products because of their concerning contents. According to the FDA, they either contain one or both of two unapproved dietary ingredients: hordenine and octodrine. Hordenine is currently not an approved dietary ingredient in dietary supplements, as it is "possibly unsafe when taken by mouth," the agency warned.
The use of octodrine during exercise "is potentially dangerous" as well, according to the FDA. Otherwise known as DMHA, the agency said octodrine has similarities to another stimulant called dimethylamylamine (DMAA) which was previously removed from the market in other countries because of safety concerns. "DMHA is considered to be a substance that does not meet the statutory definition of a dietary ingredient and is an unsafe food additive," the FDA added.
You might experience unpleasant side effects if you take them.
iStockThe unapproved addition of hordenine and octodrine in TruVision Health's dietary supplement products could put people's health at risk. Consuming hordenine "might cause stimulating side effects such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, jitteriness, nervousness, nausea, vomiting or insomnia," the FDA explained. The unwanted reactions from this ingredient are also more likely for pregnant women and consumers with cardiovascular disease, according to the agency.
Octodrine, on the other hand, has only been tested in animal studies. But the FDA said this ingredient has been found to "increase heart rate, myocardial contractility, and pain threshold" in these cases.
In terms of the recalled TruVision Health supplements specifically, some consumers of these products have "reported experiencing chest pain, chills, diarrhea, dizziness/lightheadedness, fatigue, headache, high blood pressure, high heart rate, jitters, nausea, nervousness, rash, stomach pain or upset, sweating and vomiting" as a result of the unapproved ingredients, according to the FDA.
Consumers should not use any of the recalled supplements.
iStock / RawpixelThe recalled TruVision Health products were distributed throughout several countries, including the U.S. They were sold online on Truvy.com and were mailed to retail customers either through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or another carrier like UPS, according to the FDA. The agency said the company initiated its recalled after an FDA inspection determined the the products were adulterated with the two unapproved ingredients.
"Consumers who have purchased these products should stop using them immediately," the FDA added in its release. "And they are urged to return them to TruVision Health LLC for a full refund (return shipping is paid by the consumer), an exchange, or they may discard the product."
Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you're taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.
