Israel Warns Public Against Purchasing Dangerous Weight Loss Products

Israel's Ministry of Health has issued a warning to the public regarding the purchase and use of popular, yet potentially dangerous, weight loss products, particularly illegal peptide-based drugs. These substances, marketed in pill and injection forms, claim to facilitate weight reduction, muscle gain, skin rejuvenation, and enhanced athletic performance. The ministry specifically identified BPC-157, GHK-Cu, CJC-1295, and TB-500 as examples, along with Retatrutide, an experimental obesity drug still undergoing clinical trials and not yet approved for sale in Israel. The Ministry of Health cautions that using peptides of unknown origin can lead to severe health issues, including liver and kidney damage, hormonal imbalances, altered blood sugar levels, infections, and allergic reactions. Furthermore, improper manufacturing and packaging processes can result in products containing undeclared ingredients or contaminants.

This advisory from Israel follows similar warnings issued by Canadian and Australian medical regulators. The ministry attributes the rise in the illegal market for these products to the increasing global demand for weight loss solutions. Dr. Liat Barzilai-Yosef, an endocrinologist and internal medicine specialist, noted the evolving understanding of obesity, stating, "Obesity was not considered a standalone disease until recently. The main focus was simply on weight loss. Over time, it became clear that this is a complex disease, and many patients require medication in addition to lifestyle changes." This warning comes after a previous alert from the Ministry of Health concerning a hair straightening product called Revival Miracle, which was banned after a user was hospitalized.