Originating in Brazil, the Brazilian Diet promises quick and substantial weight loss. It involves taking two specific pills, along with three square meals a day, at least 64 ounces (1.89 liters) of water a day, and absolutely no snacking. The diet pills are among the more expensive on the market. Proponents of this diet claim that the pills can help a dieter lose up to 20 to 30 pounds (9.07 to 13.6 kg) per month.
The diet's first pill is yellow and is referred to as Emagrece Sim. This pill contains herbs that are said to clean and detoxify the dieter's system, targeting the liver, gallbladder, and kidneys. The second pill is orange and referred to as Herbathin. Herbathin is full of caffeinated herbs and is designed to reduce appetite and increase weight loss.
Some studies have confirmed that the Brazilian Diet is quite effective in causing quick weight loss. Other studies have shown that the ingredients in the Brazilian Diet could be causing more harm than good. Many of the herbs effect blood sugar and blood pressure, and may be associated with increased cases of heart disease and heart damage. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved these pills, but it has issued many warnings about the substances within these pills. Pregnant women, diabetics, hypoglycemics, hypertensives, people with high or low blood pressure, or people with heart conditions should not use these products.
In some cases, testing has shown that the pills contain prescription and unapproved drugs. Some tests have shown traces of Librium™, Prozac™, Valium™, and Fenproporex. Fenproporex is a stimulant that turns into amphetamine once in the body. With the presence of Fenproporex, these pills can become habit forming.
There have been cases in which the ingredients in these diet pills have caused users to fail drug tests. As many as 17 different drugs are combined in the pills, according to some tests. The orange pill, which contains caffeine and Fenproporex, is to be taken in the morning. The yellow pill, which may contain Prozac™, Valium™, and Libium™, is to be taken at night to ward off the effects of the orange pill and to allow the dieter to sleep.
The pills have not been FDA approved and have not been tested for long-term effects. Many people who have taken the pills have claimed to have experienced anxiety, extreme mood swings, panic attacks, and suicidal behavior. Anyone considering the Brazilian Diet should talk to a doctor first.