A new study has revealed that dietary supplements are containing amphetamine like substance.
The supplements were marketed for weight loss, boost energy, and improve brain performance.
The substance is dubbed as beta-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA).
The amphetamine like substance is found in the supplements that contain Acacia Rigidula.
Acacia Rigidula is a shrub which is found in Texas but it had no traces of BMPEA.
This substance is synthetically produced in the labs.
The health risks associated with this drug on humans is unknown as it is never clinically tested on humans but it is tested on animals.
The substance is tested on dogs and cats and it has shown increased blood pressure and heart rates.
The study results showed that BMPEA is found in half of 21 brands containing Acacia Rigidula.
In 2004, Food and Drug Administration or FDA has banned Ephedra which is associated with heart attacks, fatal strokes, seizures.
Two years ago FDA found this substance in dietary supplements but it didn’t warn people or it has mentioned the findings.
FDA should immediately warn customers about BMPEA supplements and take necessary steps to eliminate the substance from the dietary supplements said lead author of the study, Dr. Pieter Cohen, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School.
JuliAnn Putnam, an FDA spokeswoman said that agency first priority is to ensure dietary supplements are safe.
Putnam said, “Our review of the available information on products containing BMPEA does not identify a specific safety concern at this time.”