TRI-STATE (WFIE) -
It's week nine of the 14 News Get Fit Challenge, and not so long ago we asked our Facebook followers if they had any questions about food or dieting.
We got a lot of responses and several were about a diet pill called Ace, which stands for appetite control and energy...So what is Ace and how does it work?
The FDA requires manufacturers to make sure pills like Ace are safe before it's marketed, but there's no oversight.
You can't find this pill on store shelves though. It's only available through independent distributors like some makeup companies.
According to the ingredient list, on the package, Ace looks like a caffeine pill. Marc Maddox, who sells Ace along with his wife, says there's also Vitamin B6, Chromium, Spirium, constitute from Geranium Flower, and a trace mineral complex.
Ace is only available thru one of it's distributors or online, and there are standard warnings on the label.
The label says for best results, drink eight glasses of water a day, exercise at least three times a week, and eat a diet of lean protein, vegetables, fruit, complex carbs and reduce sugar consumption.
"The caffeine that's in it is derived from cocoa powder and green tea extract," says Maddox.
Marc, Michelle Hays and Marc's wife Angela all make strong claims about just what this pill can do.
"I've lost 20 pounds," says Marc.
"I've lost 40 pounds," says Michelle.
"I've lost 77 pounds," exclaimed Angela.
Angela's story begins at her high school reunion.
"I had always been a size two. I went to this class reunion in a size 16 dress after losing twenty pounds and got awarded, Most Changed."
All three tell me they have no more cravings, and a lot more energy.
It sounds too good to be true. Dr. David Koehler with Deaconess Weight Loss Solutions says the jury is still out on Ace.
"Nobody has done the science. If you're asking me for good sound evidence based medical advise, I can't do that."
That's because the FDA doesn't regulate dietary supplements like it does prescription drugs. The FDA only takes reports if a user files an adverse reaction report. That means the FDA doesn't supervise production, or ingredient list.
"This is a combination of several things that I've seen people kind of tout. They're often used in a lot of these supplements."
Dr. Koehler prescribes appetite suppressants to his patients, phentermine for one, at a co-pay cost of $10. Ace costs $60 for one bottle.
Ace is popular though. Marc says he quit his day job to help his wife sell it, and they tripled their income.
Dr. Koehler says if you drink lots of water, exercise and eat a good sensible diet, you'll lose weight without the pill.
The review of the product Ace is not intended to be an endorsement by Ann Komis, 14 WFIE, or Raycom Media.
Copyright 2011 WFIE. All rights reserved.
