Weight Loss Coffee: Slimming Secret or Silent Threat?

Weight loss coffee is all the rage, promising a slimmer figure with every sip. Yet, is it a magic brew or a risky gamble? This article dives into the ‘brewing’ truth—the benefits, the risks, and everything in between.

WORDS NG YI LING

FEATURED EXPERT NG YI LING Community Pharmacist and Professional Care & Development Manager Alpro Pharmacy

“You can lose 30 kg in 30 days.”

“Transform your body with a cup a day.”

Have you ever been tempted by social media promotions claiming that drinking a cup of “natural slimming coffee” can help you lose weight effortlessly—no dieting, no exercise, and even promises of “detox and beauty benefits”?

Before you say yes and reach for a cup, think again. Have you ever considered that these so-called “miracle drinks” might conceal potentially fatal risks?

THE RISKS IN A CUP

In recent years, multiple cases have emerged where consumers suffered liver damage, heart attacks, strokes, and even kidney failure requiring long-term dialysis due to weight-loss products containing banned substances.

These “magic weight-loss products” are not isolated cases. The market is flooded with counterfeit products disguised in various forms, endangering public health. To avoid falling into this trap, we must first understand the common types of counterfeit drugs and their dangers.

BEWARE OF WHAT IS INSIDE THE PRODUCT

• These products often claim to be “100% natural” or “traditional” but secretly contain excessive doses of illegal or unsafe pharmaceutical ingredients such as sibutramine, sennosides, diuretics, steroids, and even heavy metals.
• Some of these ingredients may produce “significant effects” in a short period, but long-term use can lead to severe side effects, impacting heart, liver, and kidney functions, and even causing stroke or sudden death.
• High-risk product categories include:
  • Weight-loss products
  • Sexual enhancement pills
  • Skin-whitening cream

Sibutramine

• Sibutramine was once prescribed as an appetite suppressant but was banned in many countries, including Malaysia, in 2010 due to its association with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Other serious health consequences reported with its use include heart problems and central nervous system disorders such as psychosis and hallucinations.
• The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore had previously received serious adverse effect reports of consumers experiencing hallucinations or hearing voices, palpitations and breathlessness after consuming slimming products adulterated with sibutramine.
• In one of the cases, a consumer experienced an extremely fast heart rate and became unconscious after taking a product adulterated with sibutramine. She was resuscitated and suffered debilitating consequences, requiring the implantation of a defibrillator to help her heart function.
• Despite this, some weight loss products continue to illegally contain this substance, such as the Malaysian weight-loss product Fabulous Boom Chocolate Flavour, recently been flagged by the HSA.

Sennosides

• They are a type of medication used to treat constipation.
• It is commonly found as a hidden ingredient in detox products, such as Susenji Mofa+, another Malaysian weight loss product that was recently banned in Singapore.
• Sennosides might cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and low potassium levels, which may lead to muscle weakness or cramps.
• Prolonged use of sennosides may also overly relax bowel muscles, leading to constipation and dehydration.

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY OF THESE PRODUCTS IN THE MARKET?

• With the rise of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) business model, product manufacturing has become as easy as opening an online store—finding a factory, selecting a formula, changing the packaging, and adding some marketing.
• Everyone can now be a ‘medical expert’ selling ‘exclusive secret formulas’ online!

While OEM itself is not the problem, the real issue arises when private-label products lack proper regulation and transparency, turning consumers into unwitting test subjects.

• Many ‘secret traditional remedies’ and ‘private-label supplements’ are self-manufactured without meeting pharmaceutical standards.
• These products often lack proper testing, clear dosage guidelines, and authentic ingredient lists.
• Even worse, some illegal manufacturers recycle expired drugs and industrial chemicals to create ‘new medicines’. The health risks of consuming such products are unpredictable, with potentially irreversible damage.

Complicating the problem is that these products are widely sold through social media, e-commerce platforms, and private sellers.

• This method makes it difficult for authorities to track and shut them down.
• Despite continuous crackdowns by regulatory bodies, these sellers quickly rebrand and relaunch under new names, making counterfeit detection harder.

HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

Ditch That “Instant Results” Mentality

• Many people look for quick, effortless solutions to their health concerns, avoiding the scientific approach of lifestyle adjustments.
• Weight loss, for example, requires a balanced diet and regular exercise, yet people often fall for “instant slimming” products, landing themselves in dangerous situations.

Don’t Fall for the Hype

• Consumers often trust familiar influencers or celebrities, lowering their guard and unknowingly purchasing harmful products.
• Some influencers and sellers exaggerate product claims or conceal the true ingredients to boost sales.

Check if the Drug is Registered with NPRA

• In Malaysia, all legally sold medicines and health supplements must be approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).
• NPRA ensures that products undergo rigorous ingredient analysis, safety assessments, and efficacy tests to meet international standards.
• Consumers can verify product registration through the NPRA website (link opens in a new tab) by entering the MAL number or product name. If the product is unregistered or the information does not match the packaging, it is likely counterfeit or illegal and should be avoided.
• Furthermore, every NPRA-registered drug and supplement comes with a unique hologram label to prevent counterfeiting. Use the FarmaChecker app to scan the hologram and verify the authenticity of the product.