StarCaps Diet System, a weight loss program marketed using the Hollywood glitz of Nikki Haskell's smile, was frowned on by the FDA. The capsules, which were labeled as being an all-natural supplement, apparently had a secret ingredient. The manufacturer in Peru conveniently neglected to list the bumetanide, a strong diuretic drug, which prompted the FDA to take action against the diet capsules.
StarCaps weren't really an "all-natural blend"
A voluntary recall of the StarCaps Diet capsules was announced by Balanced Health Products and the FDA on December 1, 2008, because they were found to contain a drug called bumetanide. The main ingredients of papaya and garlic were not a problem, but the FDA took issue with the strong diuretic drug, bumetanide.
Diuretics cause the body to rid itself of water more quickly than normal. The FDA felt that this was dangerous for those who were taking StarCaps. This particular diuretic is usually prescribed by physicians for relief of water retention in patients with heart failure, liver disease or kidney disease.
Using diuretics to rid the body of fluids in order to show a weight loss is not a proper dieting technique. It clearly poses a danger for the consumer to continue taking the StarCaps and unwittingly suffer ill effects from dehydration.
StarCaps were manufactured in Peru, but there are many diet capsules on the market made in other foreign countries that also contain drugs that pose a health hazard to the consumer. Apart from the dieter not losing body fat, health experts were concerned that there could be other problems caused by the bumetanide, such as raised blood pressure or seizures. The bumetanide could also have negative reactions with other medications the dieter might be taking.
How StarCaps' secret ingredient remained a secret
StarCaps were marketed as a weight loss supplement, which meant that they didn't need FDA approval before they were put on the shelves in the US. The FDA declared the dietary supplement illegal once they discovered the undeclared ingredient of the drug bumetanide.
Nikki Haskell, a Beverly Hills socialite and "Diet Queen to the Stars," was selling StarCaps as part of her Diet to the Stars program. She claimed that the supplement worked based on a blend of all natural ingredients, such as papaya and garlic from the Andes in Peru. The label claims the StarCaps help "metabolize protein, eliminate bloat and detoxify your system" and melt off 10 - 125 pounds.
Although the bumetanide was not on the list of ingredients, there was a warning that the dietary supplement was not recommended for anyone with heart disease, kidney impairment, high blood pressure, anemia or diabetes.
If you have unused StarCaps, you can return them to the store you bought them at, even if you don't have a receipt, and get a full refund. Alternatively, mail the unused portion of the product to: Balanced Health Products, 215 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065. Consumers can call the company at (212) 794-9793, Monday through Friday, 10:30am - 4pm with any questions.
Tags: taking StarCaps, weight loss, Balanced Health, Balanced Health Products, blood pressure