'Arnold Iron Dream diet pills' can cause death
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Arnold Iron Dream /Courtesy of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
by Bahk Eun-ji
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Monday warned Koreans not to buy from a foreign website that sells a dietary supplement containing a harmful chemical.
The product “Arnold Iron Dream” contains the dangerous toxic chemical Ditrophenol (DNP), which is used as an antiseptic and a pesticide. DNP can cause life-threatening poisoning. “Iron Dream” is offered on www.bodybuilding.com
DNP was used in diet pills until the 1930s, because it was known to speed the metabolism, leading to weight loss.
But the chemical was prohibited in many countries because it can cause the body to overheat, dehydrate, and increase the heart beat.
More than 10 people who took the pill have died in the U.K., Germany, Ireland and Norway. The German government warned about taking the product in July.
The ministry has asked the Korea Communications to block any website offering the product, and has asked the Korea Customs Service to ban the product.