2-Aminoisoheptane in Weight Loss Supplements

Researchers including NSF’s John Travis recently identified four unapproved, DMAA-like stimulants in six over-the-counter weight-loss products currently available online and in stores. The research was conducted by scientists at NSF, Harvard Medical School, the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) at the University of Mississippi and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands (RIVM) and published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Toxicology.

The Research

The research team found the following weight-loss products contain potentially harmful quantities of unapproved or illegal stimulants:

The unapproved stimulants are chemically similar to ephedrine, a compound banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 due to serious side effects. Since then, scientists at NSF have identified many unapproved and potentially dangerous replacement stimulants used in dietary supplements, including DEPEA, DMAA, DMBA and oxilofrine.

Based on this study, “2-aminoisoheptane” appears to be a new disguise for illegal or unapproved synthetic stimulants like DMAA, DMBA, 2-amino-5-methylhexane and 2-amino-6-methylhexane. While “2-aminoisoheptane” is becoming increasingly popular in weight-loss products, the research team sees no evidence that it is a legitimate dietary ingredient derived from plants.

What You Should Do

Consumers are urged to avoid weight loss supplements that are labeled as containing 2-aminoisoheptane or Aconiti kusnezoffii. These stimulants may cause adverse cardiac events or death, especially if combined with caffeine or if taken by someone with elevated blood pressure or during periods of extreme heat or dehydration.

Consumers should seek NSF certified dietary supplements to avoid unintentionally consuming harmful compounds.

Dietary Supplement Certification

NSF helped develop the only American National Standard for dietary supplements (NSF/ANSI 173). NSF’s accredited dietary supplement certification program is based on this standard (ANSI-Accredited Product Certification Body - Accreditation #0216). The program includes a label and formulation review, testing to verify the supplement does not contain harmful levels of contaminants and two facility audits annually to confirm compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Products certified to NSF’s stringent Certified for Sport® program include additional steps to screen supplements for 280 athletic banned substances.

NSF’s dietary supplement and Certified for Sport® certification programs help retailers, consumers and athletes to make more educated buying decisions knowing that what is on the label matches what is in the container and that the products do not contain any unintended substances like 2-aminoisoheptane. MLB, NHL and CFL clubs are permitted to only provide and recommend products that are Certified for Sport®, and players are urged to only use these products. The Certified for Sport® certification is also recommended by the NFL, PGA, LPGA, CCES, CPSDA and Taylor Hooton Foundation as well as many other competitive sports organizations.