Beware of diet scams, cardiologist warns

Dr. Clement F. Bernard, of Bedford Cardiology, encourages everyone to be skeptical of ads that promise amazing weight loss results. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Dr. Clement Bernard's wife and kids don't like watching television with him.

"I rant and rave at each commercial," said the Shelbyville cardiologist with Bedford Cardiology. "I've made it a lifetime vent."

While he has his guard up over all commercials, the ones that really get to him are the ones pushing prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

"You have to keep in mind that the purpose is to sell them what they may -- or may not -- need," he said.

Some of the biggest suspects are the ones selling diet aids. With New Year's resolutions still in the back of everyone's minds, diet and weight loss programs eat up much of the commercial time, and exercise equipment runs a close second.

While Bernard disregards many of the OTC diet aids, he did say there were some out there that worked -- but you had to weigh the benefits against the risks.

"There was Fen-Phen, and then we found out people on Fen-Phen were getting abnormal things on their valves," he said. "Half of the 'Phen' was pooh-poohed, but the other half is still getting prescribed.

"There are the lipase inhibitors," Bernard added. "Yeah, you'll lose weight -- on average, about 15 pounds a year."

And in that year, he said, you'll suffer gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, and the medicine will cost twice as much as a membership to a local gym.

"For 15 pounds," he said.

The OTC drugs, he said, may have been more effective when they had amphetamine-like substances in them that acted as appetite suppressants, but again, he added, you've got to weigh the risks.

"They used to have amphetamine-like substances and now they've been replaced with herbal solutions -- and they don't work," he said.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are several warning flags consumers should look for in advertisements for diet pills or treatments. This includes statements such as:

* "Lose weight without diet or exercise!"

* "Lose weight no matter how much you eat of your favorite foods!"

* "Lose weight permanently! Never diet again!"

* "Block the absorption of fat, carbs or calories!"

* "Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!"

* "Everybody will lose weight!"

* "Lose weight with our miracle patch or cream!"

Bernard said he has prescribed medication for weight loss before in some of his cardiac patients, but rarely, and never for very long.

"I'll put them on it a month to get them to start losing weight and building up confidence. After that, they're on their own."

It all comes down, he said, to eating less and exercising more.

"The only truly successful method of weight loss is changing your eating habits and changing your lifestyle," said Bernard. "Calories are calories. I don't care if they're 'good' or 'bad' or 'blue' calories. You want to lose weight, you have to burn calories."

A native of New Jersey and of Italian heritage, Bernard knows about weight loss first hand. He recently went from 203 to 172 pounds himself.

"I still have to lose five pounds," he said. "Thanks to the holidays!"

The holidays, family traditions and cultural training can contribute to weight problems.

"You've been trained to eat that way," Bernard said. "I'm Italian -- we're born to eat. Now, I can eat a third or fourth of what I ate when I was 25 years of age."

By changing those habits and lifestyle, he said, you are no longer even "dieting."

"You just keep losing weight."

Bernard prefers the treadmill for his exercise routine. Although weight machines can tone muscle, he said, the thing that burns calories is the treadmill.

Both Bernard and the FTC have shared advice when it came to buying a diet supplement or exercise equipment -- read the fine print. Many of the diet pills can work -- if you follow the diet and exercise plan enclosed within. The diet plan would probably work anyway if you threw the pills out and just followed the exercise plan, said Bernard.

The "amazing results" promised by the makers of exercise equipment may also depend on calorie intake, said an FTC press release, and watch those small, quick scrolls that say "Results are not typical."

Above all, be skeptical of all those miracle offers.

"There's nobody whose more skeptical than I am," said Bernard.

For more information about how to read between the lines in diet or exercise equipment advertisements, visit the federal Trade Commission's website at www.ftc.gov.