Senior Health Ministry official on the lasting consequences of 'Magic Honey': 'Could cause a stroke and endanger lives'
After laboratory tests found that the dubious product contains a prohibited medicinal substance, the director of the Ministry's Enforcement and Inspection Division revealed that hospitalizations following its use have already been reported in Israel. 'It is a dangerous substance,' he warns, explaining that severe side effects can appear as early as the first use.
After laboratory tests found that 'Magic Honey', marketed on social media as a natural weight loss aid, contains the prohibited medicinal substance sibutramine, the Ministry of Health has published an official warning. In a conversation with our desk, Dr. Roni Berkowitz, director of the Enforcement and Inspection Division, warned that some women may continue to suffer from side effects even weeks after stopping the product.
'This is a pirate product smuggled into Israel. We sent it to the laboratory for a broad scan, and our suspicions were confirmed: it contains sibutramine,' Dr. Berkowitz explains. Sibutramine was previously used as a prescription drug for obesity, but was removed from shelves in most countries in 2010 due to serious side effects.
Health Risks
Dr. Berkowitz confirms that consumer fears are well-founded: 'The substance affects brain receptors, so its effects do not always disappear quickly. The main concern is heart damage and psychiatric disorders. In severe cases, it can cause a stroke and endanger life. Side effects can appear as early as the first use.'
The large-scale international SCOUT study, involving over 5,700 patients, showed that sibutramine increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In recent years, medical literature has documented deaths linked to 'natural' weight loss supplements that secretly contained sibutramine.
What to do if you used the product?
Dr. Berkowitz urges anyone who has taken 'Magic Honey' or any unapproved weight loss product to stop immediately. If you experience symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, anxiety, or sleep difficulties, you should consult a family doctor as soon as possible.
'If you experience acute symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or severe dizziness, do not hesitate to go to the emergency room. Be sure to inform your doctor about this product, especially if you are taking antidepressants, as the combination can be dangerous,' the doctor adds.
The Ministry of Health advises the public to purchase medicines and supplements only from supervised sources. 'If you want to lose weight, do it under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian, not through miracle products that promise quick results,' concludes Dr. Berkowitz.
