Perhaps you heard that many over the counter diet pills and cold remedies were taken off the market because they contained a dangerous stimulant, phenylpropanolamine (PPA). Smart Pharmacy

PPA has a chemical structure that is similar to amphetamines. Like amphetamines (which, because of their addictive quality, are available only as tightly controlled prescription drugs), PPA is a stimulant. People who use it are 15 times as likely as non-users to have a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain) or a cerebral embolism (blood clot to the brain). The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) received hundreds of reports about problems associated with PPA, such as dizziness, nausea, seizures, psychosis, heart attacks and strokes.

Health professionals were happy to see PPA removed from the market. Most of us are stunned that, thanks to lobbying by the companies that sell it, another and more dangerous stimulant continues to be available. It is ephedra, an ingredient in many diet aids. People who use ephedra are 15 times as likely as non-users to have a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain) or a cerebral embolism (blood clot to the brain). The risk is even higher for what doctors call a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), a stroke-like event that is caused by a blocked blood vessel in the brain, cutting off oxygen to brain cells which die quickly. Risks increase with each additional prescription, over-the-counter medicine or herbal supplement added to the mix because of the potential for drug interactions.

When people buy stimulants because they want to lose weight, it's natural for them to also think "it won't happen to me." I hope they are right.

If you have any of the following products in your bathroom, kitchen, by your bed, in your brief case, purse or any other place you keep pills, toss them in the toilet or take them to your pharmacists for safe disposal. If you have purchased anti-aging, memory enhancement or diet pills, check the list of ingredients for the word "ephedra" or "ma huang." If either or both words are there, throw the pills away and meet me on a hike or a bike ride or in an exercise class. I will help you support weight loss the healthy way.