The 21st annual Slim Chance Awards, by North Dakota nutritionist Francie M. Berg of the Healthy Weight Network, will be announced Tuesday. The list:
Worst product: Hydroxycut. The FDA warns consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products from Iovate Health Sciences USA, after one death due to liver failure and 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes to liver damage requiring liver transplant.
Most outrageous: An entire class of pills spiked with powerful undisclosed drugs. The FDA lists 72 weight loss “supplements” containing hidden, potentially harmful drugs or toxic substances, most imported from China. For more information, go to and search “tainted weight loss pills.”
Worst gimmick: Kinoki Foot Pads. The FTC has charged the marketers of Kinoki Foot Pads with deceptive advertising after their claims that applying the pads to the soles of feet at night will remove heavy metals, metabolic wastes, toxins, parasites, chemicals and cellulite from the body. The ads also say that the foot pads, which darken by absorbing moisture, not toxins, can treat depression, fatigue, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. For more, see “detoxification” schemes and scams at .
Worst claim: QVC shopping network. The TV shopping channel has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it made false and unsubstantiated claims about For Women Only weight- loss pills, Lite Bites weight-loss food bars and shakes, Bee-Alive Royal Jelly, and Lipofactor Cellulite Target Lotion. The latest claims say the products can cause significant long-term weight loss, prevent dietary fat from being absorbed, prevent carbohydrates from being stored as fat, reduce cellulite and decrease size or arms, legs and abdomens.
New year, new lifestyle
Naturopaths James and Debra Rouse of Optimum Wellness fame present “2010 Wellness” from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Monday at Mile-Hi Church. They will discuss clear and effective eating to lose weight, enhancing physical well-being, an efficient and realistic approach to exercise and anti-aging fitness. The Rev. Roger Teel and his wife, Erica Teel, will offer inspirational support. The class is $25. 9077 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, 303-237-8851
Get your camp listing in
It might be freezing outside, but it isn’t too early to start thinking about summer camps. The Feb. 9 Denver Post LifeStyle section will be devoted to the selection process, including listings about the hundreds of camps in Colorado and elsewhere. To get ready, we’re asking camps to send us a listing. Submission deadline is Jan. 15. Send all the information parents need to make an informed camp decision. Is it a day camp or overnight, coed or single-gender, computer camp or other specialty camp? Please list a few of the activities and dates, price, address, telephone number, website and e-mail address. Send listings to living@denverpost.com. Questions? Call 303-954-1281.
New year, new lifestyle
Naturopaths James, left, and Debra Rouse, of Optimum Wellness fame, present “2010 Wellness” from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Monday at Mile-Hi Church. They will discuss clear and effective eating to lose weight, enhancing physical well-being, an efficient and realistic approach to exercise and anti-aging fitness. The Rev. Roger Teel and his wife, Erica Teel, will offer inspirational support. The class is $25. 9077 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, 303-237-8851
Get your camp listing in
It might be freezing outside, but it isn’t too early to start thinking about summer camps. The Feb. 9 Denver Post LifeStyle section will be devoted to the selection process, including listings about the hundreds of camps in Colorado and elsewhere. To get ready, we’re asking camps to send us a listing. Submission deadline is Jan. 15. Send all the information parents need to make an informed camp decision. Is it a day camp or overnight, coed or single-gender, computer camp or other specialty camp? Please list a few of the activities and dates, price, address, telephone number, website and e-mail address. Send listings to living@denverpost.com. Questions? Call 303-954-1281.
