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TrimSpa^® markets a selection of diet supplements including its diet pill TrimSpa^® 32 which contains a patented ingredient called "hoodia gordonii," a natural substance that takes away appetite.  A bitter-tasting cactus-like plant that grows wild in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa, hoodia is different from FDA-banned stimulant ingredients like Ephedra and Phen/fen, which were found to have dangerous side effects.

Hoodia is not a stimulant - it simply turns appetite off.  The hoodia plant, in its natural form, has been used for thousands of years by the South African tribesmen to stave off hunger while on long hunting expeditions.

TrimSpa^®  acts primarily as an appetite suppressant.  The company claims its products "make it possible for men and women to lose weight fast, without severely cutting calories from their daily diet or beginning a rigorous workout routine".  How does the product work?  According to their website, their formula "improves your body's ability to burn fat more effectively, in addition to mobilizing fat molecules that have been stored in your cells so they can be processed and used as energy...  (it will) suppress your appetite, increase your metabolism, and prevent excess calories from being converted to fat molecules".  The four products they offer are:

• TrimSpa^® 32 - 4 tablets per day (2 in the morning, 1 at midday and 1 in the evening).  Contains 125 mg. of Hoodia Gordonii, Glucosamine (regulates blood sugar levels), Green Tea Extract (thought to increase metabolism, balance blood sugar levels and act as an antioxidant), Cocoa extract (also known as phenylethylamine - a diuretic), Citrus Naringin (a citrus extract with antioxidant qualities, thought to curb appetite), Chromium (regulates blood sugar levels), Vanadium (believed to curb appetite) and Glucomannan (source of dietary fiber).

• TrimSpa^® LipoSpa - Taken just before eating a high fat or fast food meal. Contains 60 mg. of Vitamin C and fiber.

• TrimSpa^® CarbSpa - Taken before eating a high carb meal.  Contains white kidney bean extract (intended effects not explained), Vanadium and Chromium.

• H20 ReleaseSpa - an herbal diuretic.

Despite the company's enticing claims for easy, painless weight loss results, is it safe to use this product as part of a healthy diet plan?  According to a recent CBS report featured on "60 Minutes,"  the "FDA has notified TrimSpa^®  that it hasn't demonstrated that the product is safe."  Dietary and herbal supplements are largely unregulated, and are not held accountable for the contents of their formulas.  Therefore, consumers cannot be assured of achieving the results advertised, that the bottle contains the ingredients listed, that dosages are accurate, or even that they're receiving the percentages of the ingredients listed on the label.  In our opinion, hoodia shows great promise for use in the weight loss, but further study still needs to be done to determine the effects of long term use.  TrimSpa^® products may prove a helpful weight loss tool for those who need an appetite suppressant, when used in combination with a healthy diet plan.  However, some dieters on various Internet bulletin boards and chat rooms have complained of unpleasant side effects from such dietary and weight loss supplements. Most important, since some ingredients contained in herbal supplements may be dangerous for those with certain medical conditions, dieters should always check with their doctor first, before taking any dietary supplement.  

The information on this web site is intended for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Before starting any weight loss program, it is recommended that you consult your physician or other health care professional.