The debate in which healthcare officials are currently attempting to determine the origin of 1, 3- dimethylamylamine (DMAA), has continued to rock the foundation of the dietary supplement industry. Claims suggesting that the supplement is a synthetically altered molecular entity contradict those that acknowledge it as a natural derivative of geranium oil. Subsequently, the ambiguous nature of DMAA has finally witnessed the genesis of a class action lawsuit. According to the lawsuit filed last month, DMAA has been illegally and unsafely sold in sports supplements.
A number of products containing DMAA have been marketed as dietary supplements. When combined with caffeine and other ingredients, DMAA may be used as an over-the-counter thermogenic or general purpose stimulant intended to increase workout energy and efficiency. There are currently an abundance of DMAA products on store shelves. However, misconceptions regarding the origins and safety of DMAA have caused a great deal of controversy in the pharmaceutical industry.
Upon its release in the U.S. market, DMAA was backed by a single piece of literature that suggested the ingredient was a natural derivative of geranium oil. In what has been deemed a non reputable, peer-reviewed journal of chemistry, Chinese researchers claimed that they were able to identify the presence of 1, 3- dimethylamylamine in geranium plants.
However, officials at the AHPA believe that the results of this study are far from conclusive. A review of the chromatogram from the original paper revealed an inadequate separation of compounds for MS-library matches. Other issues with this report include significant concerns over the experimental conditions, the interpretation of data, the quality of data reporting, and the validation of findings.
John Travis, manager of clinical operations for NSF International and the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) analytical laboratories committee, in association with existing scientific literature, acknowledged that DMAA is not a derivative of the geranium.
Steven Dentali, AHPA’s chief science officer stated that “there are no known-published reports indicating that this is a natural product. Any labeling stating that it is naturally occurring in geranium, or any other natural source, would need appropriate scientific evidence to support it. None has yet been found in the public domain.”
If officials at the AHPA are in fact right, and DMAA is not a constituent of geranium oil, claims made by sports supplements that contain the ingredient are false and unsubstantiated. In a recent turn of events, a class action lawsuit was recently filed on behalf of plaintiffs who claim that unsubstantiated claims made by manufacturers have led to the sale of illegal and unsafe products.
The suit was filed by Lynette Bates, a Southern California woman who last summer bought a pre-exercise drink powder called C4 Extreme, which promises “explosive workouts.”
Bates sued retailer GNC and Cellucor Sports Nutrition, which manufactures, distributes and markets the supplement, for “making false and unsubstantiated representations concerning the efficacy, safety and legality of C4 Extreme,” among other claims. Cellucor’s parent company, Woodbolt International, is also named in the suit.
Compounding the lawsuit even further are reports of DMAA being linked to the deaths of 2 U.S. soldiers. Last summer a 22-year-old soldier collapsed during a routine physical fitness exercise with his unit at an Army installation in the Southwest United States. Subsequently, several months later, a 32-year-old soldier collapsed upon completing the Army Physical Fitness test at the same location.
Do I Have a DMAA Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states involving consumers who suffered liver injury after using supplements containing DMAA or aegeline, a new dieary ingredient used in USPLabs products such as OxyElitePro.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dietary supplement, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free case review, please click the link below or call toll free 24 hrs/day 1-(949) 557-5800.