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Lose Weight-tone Abs With Electronic Muscle Stimulator? Can Body
By Chris Chew, Tue Jan 10th
You have probably seen plenty of advertisements extolling howElectronic Abdominal Stimulators can melt your belly fat fastand quickly. Most of these advertisements will also claim thattheir electronic abs stimulators can also flatten your tummy toreveal your six pack abs muscle. They even claim that by usingelectronic abs stimulators for X minutes is better that 300 situps or crunches, so you can say bye bye to diets and exerciseforever. Too good to be true? On the other hand, you may also have come across many articlesand messages from the health and fitness industry or from yourfitness personal trainers who refute the advertisers claimingthat the only way to get a flat tummy with well defined six packabs muscle is through healthy eating and exercise. Now that ishard work isn't it? So you will rather take a chance with anelectronic abs stimulator won't you? So who is telling the truth? Ok, instead of joining in thecontroversy, this article points out what the authorities suchas U.S. Food and Drug Administration has got to say. Below is anexcerpt from U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Consumermagazine July-August 2002. You can read the full report at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/402_abs.html :-
"In May, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed complaintsagainst three manufacturers of these devices, alleging that theyhave made false claims in their advertising, seen in heavilyaired infomercials on national cable television, shortertelevision commercials, and ads in the print media. The unfounded claims cited by the FTC include the promise of"six pack" or "washboard" abs without exercise, claims that thedevices will give users a trimmer waist or cause fat loss, andthat use of the device is equivalent to (or better than) regularabdominal exercises, such as sit-ups or crunches. The FTCcomplaints also allege that the advertising claimed falsely thatthe stimulators are safe for all to use, and did not discloseadequately the possible health hazards for some people. Q. Why does the FDA regulate electrical muscle stimulators? A. Electrical muscle stimulators are considered medical devicesunder the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Under this lawand the agency's regulations, the FDA is responsible forregulating the sale of all electrical muscle stimulators in theUnited States. Therefore, firms must comply with appropriate FDApremarket regulatory requirements before they can legally selltheir stimulators. Most electrical muscle stimulators (EMSdevices) that have been reviewed by the FDA are intended for usein physical therapy and rehabilitation under the direction of ahealth-care professional. If a company wants to sell EMS devicesdirectly to consumers, the company needs to show the FDA thatthe device can be used safely and effectively in that setting. Q. These electrical muscle stimulators are advertised
not onlyto tone, firm, and strengthen abdominal muscles, but also toprovide weight loss, girth reduction, and "rock hard" abs. Dothey really work? A. While an EMS device may be able to temporarily strengthen,tone or firm a muscle, no EMS devices have been cleared at thistime for weight loss, girth reduction, or for obtaining "rockhard" abs. Q. Is the FDA concerned about the unregulated marketing of thesedevices? A. Yes. The FDA has received reports of shocks, burns, bruising,skin irritation, and pain associated with the use of some ofthese devices. There have been a few recent reports ofinterference with implanted devices such as pacemakers anddefibrillators. Some injuries required hospital treatment. TheFDA is also concerned because many of these devices have cablesand leads. If those cables and leads do not comply withelectrical safety standards, there is the possibility that usersand other household members could be electrocuted. The FDA iscurrently investigating firms that are illegally marketing EMSdevices. Q. What does FDA regulation accomplish? A. Before they may legally sell their devices, firms that marketEMS devices must be able to demonstrate that these products areas safe and as effective as similar devices that are legallymarketed. Devices may be marketed only for uses that areestablished for the device or for uses that the firm can supportwith data. At this time, the FDA is not aware of scientificinformation to support many of the promotional claims being madefor numerous devices being widely promoted on television,infomercials, newspapers, and magazines. Q. Does that mean that it's unsafe to use an electrical musclestimulator that has not met FDA requirements? A. Using a product that has not met FDA requirements isn'tnecessarily unsafe or dangerous. But it could be. Unregulateddevices also may have safety problems associated with cables andleads that can lead to accidental shock and electrocution ofusers and other household members, including children. Q. If I use an electrical muscle stimulator, will it give me thesame kind of effect that lots of sit-ups, stomach crunches andother abdominal exercises will? A. Using these devices alone will not give you "six-pack" abs.Applying electrical current to muscles may cause them tocontract. Stimulating muscles repeatedly with electricity mayeventually result in muscles that are strengthened and toned tosome extent but will not, based on currently available data,create a major change in your appearance without the addition ofweight loss and regular exercise." Now, who is telling the truth about electronic muscle stimulatorbeing able to melt tummy fat and reveal your six pack abs? Well,you be the judge and come to your own verdict. About the author:Chris Chew is a fitness personal trainer of models, actors andmale pageant winners. More fitness tips at his sites Transform your body in 12weeks Personaltrainers and online certification
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