Total Body Supplement: Total Screw-Up

Atlanta, GAThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers against using Total Body Liquid Supplements due to reports of severe allergic reactions stemming from excessive levels of selenium and chromium in certain flavors of the supplement.

As of April 9th the FDA had received 48 reports of allergic reactions from consumers in nine states. However, with fresh reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, that figure has climbed to at least 200 in recent weeks. These reactions include significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain, fatigue, and deformed fingernails.

The products in question are lots of 'Total Body Formula' in flavors Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar. Additionally, 'Total Body Mega Formula' with Orange/Tangerine flavor has also elicited adverse reactions from users in Florida and Tennessee. Other States affected are Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. The symptoms noted above usually begin to appear anywhere from five to ten days after daily ingestion of the Total Body product.

The problem is not necessarily what is in it, but how much there is. Invoking the old adage that sometimes too much of a good thing isn't good for you, it has been determined that the products in question have high levels of selenium and chromium which, at lower levels, are not thought to be harmful.

In fact, selenium, which is a naturally occurring mineral, can boost the immune system and generally, normal consumption of food and water provides adequate selenium to support good health. However, excessive intake of selenium is known to cause the various symptoms previously described including, blistering skin.

With that thought in mind, the FDA reports that its labs have found that most samples of the Total Body supplements contained, in the agency's view, excessively high levels of selenium—up to 40,800 micrograms per recommended serving. That translates to more than 200 times the amount of selenium per serving, as recommended and indicated on the product label.

Additionally, levels of chromium were found to be at 3,426 micrograms of chromium per recommended serving, or 17 times the recommended intake of 35 to 45 micrograms for an adult, per day.

Excessive consumption of chromium can cause fatigue, muscle cramps, hyperactivity, hypoglycemia, renal failure and liver toxicity. Excessive chromium intake also can interfere with certain medications.

Total Body supplements are sold in eight-ounce and 32-ounce plastic bottles—with the Total Body Mega Formula sold in 32-ounce plastic bottles only. Both products are distributed by Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta, which serves as the sole distributor of the products, and has issued a recall. Total Body supplements are distributed to 15 States.

A class action lawsuit has been filed, and there may be more if the comments of one Total Body supplement user are any barometer.

"I have been consuming these vitamins on a daily basis since 1999," a consumer writes. "I have promoted them to my family and friends. I am one of those consumers that have experienced severe hair loss and terrible stomach disorders since mid-February. I have had nine vials of blood sent out for testing and I am currently waiting for the test results.

And believe me, I have referred this case to my attorney."