Dodgy weightloss pills

The Tongue Patch

What is it? A patch is stitched to the tongue of the dieter to make the consumption of solid food painful. Invented by a plastic surgeon in America, it’s been criticised as being a modern version of wiring mouths shut.

The Tape Worm Pill

What is it? The original bad idea, tape worm eggs or larvae were encapsulated in pill form. Once in your digestive system the tapeworm hatches and attaches itself to your intestine, it begins to feed off your body’s nutrients and grows by reproducing proglottids, its chain-like body segments.

The Japanese Weight Loss Pill

What it is? A supplement imported from Japan known as Xiushentang, marketed as Japan Rapid Weight Loss Diet Pills in three colours: green, yellow, and blue. The active ingredient is not legal in most countries due to proven links to heart attack and stroke.

Clen Fat Burner

What it is? Clenbuterol is a steroid used to treat respiratory illnesses in horses. It's not approved for human use, but is taken illegally by athletes and models to boost muscle mass and lose weight.

The Brazilian Diet Pill

What it is? Nutritional supplements imported from Brazil, sold under the name of Emagrece Sim and Herbaslim. Ingredients include Librium, the antidepressant Prozac, and stimulant Fenproporex. The uppers-downers combination can cause mood swings.

The K-E Diet

What is it? Otherwise known as the ‘‘feeding tube diet”, a naso-gastric tube is inserted through the nose, delivering a nutrient solution directly into the stomach, which is carefully kilojoule controlled to promulgate weight loss.