Lida Daidaihua, efficiency wrapped in danger!

For some time now, the web has been overflowing with sites extolling the virtues of a new slimming supplement, LIDA DAIDAIHUA.

We’ve taken a closer look at this product, to see whether or not it really does have slimming virtues.

Our survey will answer any questions you may have about this product.

Presentation and promises of Lida Daidaihua

Lida Daidaihua is a 100% natural herbal supplement.

It is traditionally used by obese people, and reportedly has the advantage of imposing no particular diet.

In other words, it’s a product that makes you lose weight while eating what you want, as the many retailer websites like to say.

Equally effective for both men and women, Lida Daidaihua is particularly indicated for people with more than 10 kg to lose, providing the following benefits:

• Stop food cravings;
• Reduce overall food consumption;
• Acts as a powerful appetite suppressant;
• Melt away excess fat;
• Slow down fat absorption;
• Increase metabolism by up to 18 times;
• Increase energy levels;
• Stimulate motivation;
• No side effects.

Just one capsule a day is all you need for noticeable results within the first week.

The capsule should be taken 30 minutes before breakfast.

The manufacturer of Lida Daidaihua

A number of online retailers offer this slimming product.

Several sites, mostly in English, claim to be the only official site for the product, and it was on one of them that we were able to read that products are shipped from Hong Kong.

Unfortunately, this is the only information we were able to gather on the provenance of Lida Daidaihua.

The absence of any information on the manufacturer, the laboratories and the place where these capsules are produced, is a lack of professionalism that we criticize the entity behind this product.

Ingredients present in Lida Daidaihua capsules

Lida Daidaihua is made up of the following ingredients:

1. Daidaihua extract:

Daidaihua is the Chinese name for bitter orange extract, also known as citrus aurantium.

In short, citrus aurantium is recognized as a powerful fat burner and metabolism booster. Its action, similar to that of ephedrine (a substance now banned), gives it its amazing properties, but also implies cautious use, which has been the subject of a precise legal framework. Today, any product containing citrus aurantium must meet the following conditions:

• Synephrine content must be less than 20mg per recommended daily dose;
• The label must include a warning that the product is not suitable for children, pregnant or breast-feeding women, or people suffering from high blood pressure;
• It is forbidden to add caffeine or caffeine-source ingredients to the composition of the product.

For more details on this ingredient, please consult our article, HERE.

Information concerning the precise dosage of citrus aurantium in Lida Daidaihua capsules does not allow us to say with certainty whether or not these conditions are met.

2. Casse seeds:

This is another name for senna, which acts as a powerful laxative.

The plant’s active substances, namely sennosides, release their effects once in the intestine, acting to significantly activate intestinal transit.

Senna should not be used for prolonged periods.

3. Coicis extract:

This plant from China, also known as Job’s tear, is used in traditional medicine to combat diarrhoea and oedema, particularly those associated with water retention.

It promotes drainage of the body, and is said to regulate blood sugar levels.

4. Amylum Médical:

Amylum is a starch composed of 80% amylopectin and 20% amylose, both glucose residues.

This complex carbohydrate is said to promote satiety by filling the stomach.

It also helps control fat gain by blocking the transformation of nutrients into fat.

5. Mulberry leaves:

Mulberry’s active substances, zuccarin and 1-deoxynojirimicin (DNJ), are said to modify carbohydrate metabolism, partially blocking their assimilation by the body.

Mulberry also has the ability to regulate blood sugar levels, and significantly reduce sugar cravings.

Lida Daidaihua and science

According to information provided by retailers, the main ingredients in Lida Daidaihua have been validated by science. We checked for ourselves and here’s what we found.

Citrus aurantium has in fact been the subject of several clinical studies.

Take, for example, this study carried out in the USA in 2011, which investigated the effects of p-synephrine, derived from citrus aurantium, alone or in combination with selected bioflavonoids, on resting metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate and self-reported mood changes.

The aim was to evaluate the thermogenic effects of p-synephrine alone and in combination with the flavonoids naringin and hespedrin in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled protocol involving a sample of 10 people per group.

Results showed an increase in resting metabolic rate of 65 kcal in the group taking a 50mg dose of p-synephrine, compared with the placebo group.

Consumption of 600mg naringin and 50mg p-synephrine resulted in a 129 kcal increase in resting metabolic rate compared with the placebo group.

And in the group receiving 100mg hesperidin plus 50mg p-synephrine and 600mg naringin, the recorded increase in resting metabolic rate was 183 kcal compared with the placebo control group.

On the other hand, a dose of 1000mg hesperidin, combined with 50mg synephrine and 600mg naringin, produced only a 79 kcal increase in resting metabolic rate, again compared with the same control group.

No changes in heart rate or blood pressure were observed in any of the groups.

In conclusion, the researchers found that this combination of ingredients, which raised the resting metabolic rate in the subjects without impacting heart rate or blood pressure, is an unusual fact that needs to be studied closely and in depth to accurately determine the value of bitter orange extract as a weight control agent.

(Source: NCBI. Dean Emeritus, Creighton University Health Sciences Center, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. Stohs SJ, Preuss HG, Keith SC, Keith PL, Miller H, Kaats GR. Int J Med Sci. 2011 Apr 28;8(4):295-301.)
Another group of researchers has examined Cassia Spectabilis (senna) and its promising benefits for improving human health.

This study highlights the presence in Cassia Spectabilis of a variety of medically important chemical constituents. Referring to previous pharmacological studies carried out by various researchers, this plant possesses significant biological activity as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant.

At the same time, studies on its toxicity revealed no toxic effects on mice.

The aim of this review is to compile all the information currently available on the botany of Cassi Spectabilis, its phytochemistry, pharmacology, mechanism of action, toxicology and ethnomedical uses.

(Source: NCBI. Institute of Research in Molecular Medicine-INFORMM, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia. Jothy SL., Torey A., Darah I., Choong YS., Saravanan D., Chen Y., Latha LY., Deivanai S., Sasidharan S. Molecules. 2012 Aug 29;17(9):10292-305. doi: 10.3390/molecules170910292).

Finally, we’d like to mention a third study, focusing on the effects of mulberry as an adjuvant treatment for obesity.

The experiment consisted in studying a population of 46 people divided into two groups, both receiving an identical diet, i.e. the equivalent of 1300 kcal. In addition, the first group received a dose of 2400mg of Japanese white mulberry extract, and the second group was given a placebo.

Each group was followed up every 30 days (30, 60 and 90 days).

In the first group, the researchers observed a significantly greater weight loss than in the second: 9kg in 3 months, equivalent to 10% of the initial weight. The plasma insulin and glucose curves of the volunteers in the first group were lower than those at the start of the experiment.

Weight loss results for women in the second placebo group were limited to 3kg in 3 months, equivalent to just 3% of their initial weight.

In conclusion, the researchers suggest that Japanese white mulberry extract may represent a reliable adjuvant treatment in the dietary management of certain obese or overweight patients.

(Source: NCBI. F. De Ritis Institute, Afragola, Naples, Italy. Division of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. Medical Research ONLUS Foundation, Bologna, Italy. Da Villa G., Ianiro G., Mangiola F., Del Toma E., Vitale A., Gasbarrini A., Gasbarrini G. J Bio Regul Homeost Agents. 2014 Jan-Mar;28(1):141-5).

Lida Daidaihua, side effects and contraindications

According to retailers, Lida Daidaihua has no side effects. However, our research shows otherwise.

If you’ve read our previous reviews of products containing citrus aurantium, you’ll know that this ingredient can cause significant side effects, such as hypertension, headaches, restlessness, palpitations, increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and higher blood glucose levels, especially after moderate physical exertion.

Senna, on the other hand, is an ingredient whose consumption should not be prolonged over time, as its powerful laxative effects can lead to dehydration of the body or deficiency of certain essential nutrients.

However, retailers warn against overdosing on Lida Daidaihua, as this can have potentially serious effects: dehydration, dry mouth, headaches, nausea and abdominal pain.

In addition, we note that various countries have warned of, and banned, the Lida Daidaihua supplement due to its potentially fatal side effects.

The Belgian Senate website reports that the product, banned in Germany, has been seized by customs. According to this legal text:
“Doctors warn of deadly side effects. High blood pressure and heart and circulatory problems are also to be feared.”
(Source: Belgian Senate. Questions and answers. Bulletin 3-72. Session 2005-2006. Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health. Question n°3-5396 de Mme Anseeuw du 9 juin 2006 (N.) : LiDa slimming product – Risks to public health).

The Health Canada website also warns against consuming this product, which has been assessed as dangerous.

And to conclude, we leave you to consult this FDA press release about this product: U.S. Food and Drugs Administration. Medication Health Fraud.

Testimonials from Lida Daidaihua users

Despite the dangers of using this product, many people have tried it.

Many find Lida Daidaihua highly effective, particularly as an appetite suppressant. The effects can even suppress feelings of hunger for an entire day!

People have reported losing 2.5 kg in 4 days, or 15 kg in 2 months.

Others, however, have had to stop using the product because of dizziness, headaches or excessive sweating.

Lida Daidaihua price and guarantee

No official website, but numerous reseller sites.

On the latter, you can find a box of 30 Lida Daidaihua capsules, equivalent to 1 month’s treatment, at an average price of 44€.

Resellers’ warranties apply and may vary according to their terms and conditions of sale.

Our opinion on Lida Daidaihua

Given the information gathered during our survey, we have no hesitation in rejecting this slimming supplement.

Losing weight is important for self-confidence and general well-being, but it must not be achieved at the expense of health.

Other products exist which are reliable and much more respectful of a healthy and global slimming approach.