Food Supplement Danger Alert  - GBL

The National Federation of State High School Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has recently been informed of a dangerous chemical found in certain food supplements call gamma butyrolactone or GBL.  This committee, which looks at the safety and health of its participants, is alerting state associations of the possible hazards that come with consuming this product.

According to releases from the Texas Department of Health (TDH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), GBL is the same chemical that is found in floor stripper.  When taken, GBL can cause dangerously low respiratory rates, unconsciousness, seizures, vomiting, and slow heart rates, and can be potentially life-threatening.

The FDA reports at least 55 cases of side effects from GBL and one death.   According to the TDH, most victims are in their 20s but one was only 11 years old.   GBL can be found in dietary supplements, powder or liquid form, with the brand names RenewTrient, Revivarant, Revivarant G, GH Revitalizer, Gamma-G, Blue Nitro and Blue Nitro Vitality, and can be purchased via the Internet, health food stores, gymnasiums and fitness centers.

The FDA is asking companies to recall the products that contain GBL.  As of now, products containing this chemical are illegally marketed, unapproved drugs.

Taken from the NFHS Bulletin of February 1999

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