Toxic arsenic, lead in 6 herbal supplements, says Health Canada
July 13, 2011
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Lesley Ciarula Taylor
STAFF REPORTER
Six supposed all-natural herbal supplements, including four for sexual dysfunction, are laced with dangerous ingredients and should be thrown away immediately, Health Canada says.
The warnings join a long list of Health Canada alerts about foreign-made pills for weight-loss and erectile dysfunction that contain undeclared powerful prescription drugs.
Pills and capsules in the latest warning are not sold in Canada, the health agency says, but can be bought online or overseas.
All were subject to voluntary recall months ago after U.S., Australian and U.K. government warnings. Health Canada sent out its alerts Tuesday.
The list:
• X-Hero Male Enhancer, Natural Vigra Viagra Tablets and Black Ant. Promoted as natural herbal male sexual enhancers. Contain a form of sildenafil and/or tadalafil, both allied with prescription drugs found in Viagra that may trigger dangerously low blood pressure.
• Slim Xtreme Herbal Slimming Capsule. Found spiked with sibutramine, a controlled substance that can jack up blood pressure and pulse rates. The U.S. FDA’s recommendation: “Stop using immediately and throw it away.”
• (Hua Tuo Brand) Youzhi Baoying Dan. Promoted as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for general discomfort in children. Contains toxic mercury.
• (Lee Sze) Texiao Houtong Wan. Promoted as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for mouth and throat sores. Contains toxic arsenic.
• Prolonged Man Power Essence. Promoted as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for “male sexual enhancement.” Contains toxic lead.
• Beline Capsules. Promoted as an herbal medicine for detoxification and relief of joint pains. Contains chlorphenamine, an antihistamine.
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