Total Body Essential Nutrition recalls dietary supplements

Total Body Essential Nutrition Inc. has recalled two products after reports about acute poisoning. The basic problem lies in high amounts of certain minerals.

Photo: Total Body Essential Nutrition recalls dietary supplements

Total Body Essential Nutrition recalls dietary supplements

The recalled products are "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula". The dietary supplements contain excess amounts of selenium and chromium.

The FDA confirmed the information revealing its own figures: up to 40,800 micrograms per recommended serving, or more than 200 times the amount of selenium per serving indicated on the labels.

Although selenium is an essential trace element, it is toxic if taken in excess. Exceeding the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of 400 micrograms per day can lead to selenosis. Symptoms of selenosis include a garlic odour on the breath, gastrointestinal disorders, hair loss, sloughing of nails, fatigue, irritability and neurological damage. Extreme cases of selenosis can result in cirrhosis of the liver, pulmonary edema and death.

Chromium in its turn is required in trace amounts for sugar metabolism in humans and its deficiency may cause a disease called chromium deficiency. In contrast, chromium is very toxic and mutagenic.

Consumers of "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula" reported that they had nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue. It may also include hair loss, nail brittleness and neurological abnormalities, kidney and liver dysfunction.