Vitamin Supplement Recalled from the Market Due to its ‘Significant Hair Loss’ Effect




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On March, 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning about serious adverse reactions caused by taking two popular vitamin supplements - Total Body Formula and Total Body Mega Formula. The products were recalled from the market immediately after a number of people experienced significant side effects, the most profound of which was massive hair loss. Despite the fact that the affected individuals were taking these liquid supplements in recommended doses and did not exceed them, the adverse reaction occurred after about a week of Formulas’ ingesting.

In addition to ’significant hair loss’, the victims of the toxic supplements experienced indigestion and diarrhoea, fatigue, cramps, and joint and muscle aches. So far, 23 cases of serious side effects have been documented.

These two dangerous products have been voluntarily recalled from the market by their distributor, the Atlanta-based company Total Body Essential Nutrition. Initially, the supplements appeared in the health food stores and other retail outlets of 15 states, including California, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.  Consumers of these states have been warned by the FDA not to purchase Body Formulas that come in Peach Nectar, Orange/Tangerine, and Tropical Orange flavours in eight and 32-ounce bottles. Those individuals who have already started taking the dangerous vitamin product are advised to discontinue its use right away, discard the supplement, and seek medical attention.

The FDA together with the Florida Department of Health have started investigating the causes of the supplements’ adverse effects. Preliminary analysis shows that a dose of Total Body Formula and Total Body Mega Formula contains amounts of the trace mineral selenium that substantially exceed the FDA Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA). Although needed in very small amounts for maintaining health, selenium can be extremely toxic if taken in huge doses. The most dramatic effect of a selenium overdose in a sudden fall of hair.

Robin Makris

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Posted on April 7, 2008 
Filed Under Hair Loss News and Statistics, Hair Loss Reasons

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