NFL players caught in diuretic 'scandal' bring legal action against weight loss supplement StarCaps

The NFL bumetanide (diuretic scandal) took an interesting twist today.  NFL players who tested positive for the drug Bumox in NFL doping tests now point out the drug was found to be a contaminant in the over-the-counter weight loss supplement StarCaps.

Reports name StarCaps by Nikki Haskell (apparently a 'hostess') as the culprit in this drama.  The weight loss supplement names a number of drugs not contained in the formulation; bumetanide however didn't make the exclusion list.  Here is the blurb:

 NIKKI HASKELL'S STARCAPS - Lose Weight and Get In Shape! Now you can have the amazing diet secret all Hollywood is talking about. Created by the Diet Queen to the Stars Nikki Haskell, STARCAPS is the natural dietary supplement containing a rare blend of papaya and garlic. STARCAPS make dieting easy! The secret is in STARCAPS unique ingredients...its all-natural blend of papaya and garlic from the higher Andes of Peru. Each bottle is a two week supply and includes a diet booklet. BOTTLE OF STARCAPS CONTAINS 30 CAPSULES, A TWO WEEK SUPPLY STARCAPS ARE AN ALL-NATURAL DIETARY SUPPLEMENT STARCAPS ARE NOT DIET PILLS STARCAPS DO NOT CONTAIN ANY AMPHETAMINES, NICOTINE, THYROID, CAFFEINE OR EPHEDRA MINIMUM DIET RECOMMENDED ONCE WEIGHT LOSS IS ACHIEVED CONTINUE TO TAKE "STARCAPS", IT WILL HELP MAINTAIN AND KEEP YOU FROM GAINING WEIGHT RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE JUST GONE OFF POWDERED DIET DRINKS HOW STARCAPS WORKS: PAPAYA IS A DIGESTIVE ENZYME THAT METABOLIZES PROTEIN IN YOUR SYSTEM WHILE GARLIC IS A NATURAL DIURETIC DRINK BETWEEN 6 TO 8 GLASSES OF WATER A DAY WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE POTASSIUM OR ORANGE JUICE WITH STARCAPS

Before we refer to the media reports on Starcaps we ask the following:

1. Why are NFL players using an OTC weight loss prep designed and marketed for women.
2. Why does the manufacturer recommend taking potassium with the pills; that's weird because that is exactly what electrolyte a diuretic would deplete.
3. Did the company contaminate the formula with a potent diuretic to induce water weight loss.  (perfect strategy because the 'weight' comes Right back with re-hydration.  That means a person needs to continue the pills.
4. Did the players not figure out they were peeing alot?
5. Was the trace amount of bumetanide found enough to cause a positive in a urine test (remember this is dilated urine anyway).

The abstract for a report in the J Analytic Chemistry reads very eerie and answers #6 - yes a therapeutic dose was contained in the StarCaps pill (pdf here):

Bumetanide is a loop diuretic used clinically to treat heart failure, acute renal failure, high blood pressure, and edema. However, diuretics may also be used by athletes as masking agents and to decrease weight. Taken as masking agents, diuretics increase urine production and decrease urinary concentrations of banned performance-enhancing agents, such as anabolic steroids. StarCaps is an over-the-counter dietary supplement marketed as a diet aid. The manufacturer claims that the product contains only natural cleansing agents and emphasizes that it is free from traditional appetite suppressants such as sympathomimetic amines. However, no such disclaimer is made concerning diuretic agents. A single StarCaps capsule was administered to two male and two female volunteers, and their urine specimens were collected at discrete intervals (2, 4, 8, and 12 h) post administration. The specimens were analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry quadrupole (HPLC-MS) method, and bumetanide was detected in all specimens (4.6 to 351.3 ng/mL). Adjusting the bumetanide concentrations for creatinine content did little to normalize the excretion profiles. Bumetanide was also detected in the StarCaps capsules at concentrations approaching therapeutic doses. HPLC-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to confirm the presence of bumetanide in the urine samples and StarCaps capsules. The results showed that unregulated dietary supplements may put consumers at risk for unwitting consumption of prescription medications, and that it is possible for athletes to inadvertently test positive for bumetanide and face disciplinary actions.

There it is: A potent diuretic was found in StarCaps, in high doses.  Why was this supplement pill not immediately pulled from the OTC market?  Why was this result not publicized to athletes?  (or was it).  And why the researchers choose StarCaps to test?

And what other supplements do NFL player ingest (if indeed they ingested contaminated StarCaps)?

Here is the IHT article: (after the jump)

The makers of an over-the-counter weight-loss pill have suspended sales following accusations the product contains but does not list an ingredient banned by the NFL.

"We've received notice of the problem with the NFL," the makers of StarCaps said in a statement released by e-mail on Thursday. The statement added that the company is "taking all necessary steps to ensure that our customers receive product that is safe and effective."

New Orleans Saints players Jamar Nesbit and Deuce McAllister and two other Saints, defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant, all are appealing possible four-game suspensions they could face as first-time violators of the NFL's doping policy.

Nesbit chose not to appeal. His lawsuit, filed in federal district court in New Jersey, seeks the $235,294 (180,500 euros) he lost in salary while suspended, as well as additional money for damage to his reputation and for the company's alleged, undisclosed spiking of StarCaps with the NFL-banned diuretic.

Several experts interviewed by the AP have said they found it odd that NFL players would choose to use Bumetanide because it is so easy to detect in drug tests and well known for potentially harmful side effects such as dehydration.

The makers of an over-the-counter weight-loss pill have suspended sales following accusations the product contains but does not list an ingredient banned by the NFL.

"We've received notice of the problem with the NFL," the makers of StarCaps said in a statement released by e-mail on Thursday. The statement added that the company is "taking all necessary steps to ensure that our customers receive product that is safe and effective."

New Orleans Saints players Jamar Nesbit and Deuce McAllister say they tested positive for the diuretic Bumetanide after using StarCaps. Nesbit, who filed suit against StarCaps this week, already served a four-game suspension. McAllister is among six to eight players under investigation by the league for taking a diuretic, which the NFL considers a masking agent for steroids.

A person familiar with the case provided the number of players involved and spoke on condition of anonymity because the players are appealing.

While suspending new shipments, the company stopped short of issuing a recall.

Ullman, meanwhile, questioned why NFL players would take diet pills marketed primarily toward women.

Nesbit's attorney, Brian Molloy, said questioning the consumer's motives for taking the pill was not appropriate.

"That's curious that an NFL lineman would know more about a product than the manufacturer," Molloy said. "It's also curious that only after they have been sued would they suspend sales and not do the responsible thing by recalling the product."

Comments

[Brian]

The best defense is a good offense.

[Abraham]

Its frustrating to show off u r body due to fatness.then get ready to loose weight immediately weight loss
So that u can see a lot of change through weight loss programs.

[Millard Baker]

I am very surprised that the manufacturer of StarCaps failed to take action after the bumetanide was discovered in their product over a year ago.

I was sure that current inventory of StarCaps that was being distributed would be free of bumetanide AND that NFL players would claim to have purchased OLD batches several months ago.

But the recent suspension of shipments suggests that bumetanide was still (intentionally?) part of the formula. This aspect of the case is more troubling to me than the doping aspect by athletes. Athletes voluntarily (right or wrong) agree to take on these risks. Unsuspecting consumers do not.

[adipex diet pills]

Online pharmacy can prove to be a bit dicey at times. But if you know what you are doing, this link shall help you.

[Acai Berry Pure]

Brilliant... your blog is one of those i give a 99.9%, i got to learn alot from you post...Am attracted to your blog, I'll always check you out any time am reading blogs

[Amir]

Essential information.I think natural or herbal diet pills are safe too use. They don't have side effect.pills like stratzol burn fat in a natural way.Choosing the right pill is important.

[cochranruss]

Natural or herbal diet pills are safe too use. They don't have side effect.Pills like stratzol burn fat in a natural way.

[Best Way to Clean Colon]

This product does what it says it will. Just Usually any assembly pill you torpid have amounting to eat comely and duty out! Just stick with it

[gwhey]

Professional athletes should stay clear of these products because the ingredient labels are not always accurate and the athletes have a small margin for error. http://www.elitewheyproteins.com

[Robert]

I enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for a wonderful job!

[Invertir en oro]

hello, i would like to read more information about this topic because i think that is very interesting.