Health

'The Brazilian Diet' - What's All The Buzz About?

(CBS4) In two weeks, many Americans will begin the New Year with a vow to lose weight. There are dozens of diets from which to choose, but this year, the buzz is about a new supplement based on a diet from South America.

It's called the Brazilian Diet and is available online from several manufacturers. Dieters take one orange and one yellow pill twice a day.

"It's really helped curb my appetite," said 20-something dieter Tabitha Naylor. She lost five pounds after just three weeks on the pills, a significant amount for her petite frame. She says she doesn't think about food as much and she doesn't crave junk food the way she used to.

Hamlet Mesa is also singing the diet's praises. As a personal trainer, Mesa gets plenty of exercise, but he just couldn't control his appetite.

"I would have breakfast at 6:00 in the morning and by 7:00 or 7:30 I was eating again." Hamlet says he is eating a lot less and has dropped 15 pounds in 5 weeks.

So, how does it work? The president of one manufacturer says the pills are made from all natural herbs that alter the body's metabolism by having a direct effect on the hypothalamus gland.

Nutritionists are skeptical because dietary supplements like these are not regulated by the FDA. Hospital Dietitian Nicole Hilburt looked at the ingredients in one brand. She said they appear to be mostly herbal laxatives and diuretics. "Just because they are all natural, doesn't necessarily mean they are safe," she said. "They are finding that a lot of these herbal supplements may have adverse reactions with other medications."

That's not the only concern. A Miami Newspaper tested several brands of the Brazilian Diet and found one contained illegal amphetamines. The other brands appeared to be safe.

Despite the potential danger, the Brazilian Diet is winning fans across the country. Mesa says several trainers and clients at his gym have been successful. "Everyone who has taken the product, they've all lost weight," he said.

But this is not a cheap solution to your weight loss problem. These pills can cost as much as $100 for a one month supply.

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