Regularly do we read of people dying needlessly because they take slimming pills and diet aids containing a chemical called 2,4-dinitrophenol. It is surely one of those compounds that has no place in the nutritional world given that vulnerable people often try quick fixes and end up misusing a highly toxic chemical. At least 60 people according to the daily papers in the UK have attributed deaths to this compound usually through misadventure. The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK has examined the role of DNP in slimming tablets and produced a very informative essay on the compound.
In biochemistry, one of our first practical experiments involved an examination of metabolic pathways in mitochondria, particularly the electron transport chain. One way to chemically uncouple electron transfer was to add some 2,4-dinitrophenol or 2,4-DNP as it is usually abbreviated to. When mitochondrial oxidation is operating normally, electron transfer using substrates NADH & FADH2 to oxygen produces the energy molecule, ATP. The uncoupler upsets the link but still allows oxygen to be reduced to water. The process is reversible – the removal of the uncoupler means coupling restarts & ATP synthesis begins again.
The compound, DNP, is a common intermediate in organic chemistry for nitrosation of benzene rings and other compounds, so it has enormous synthetic value in organic chemistry. It has been commonly available globally for all sorts of commercial and industrial processes.
The interest in the compound as a slimming aid began in the early 30s (1933) in the USA. In humans, DNP drives metabolism extremely fast causing rapid weight loss. Under controlled conditions, the benefits might be seen to be dramatic and highly appealing. Indeed, DNP was then marketed for many years as a weight loss drug. It had to be withdrawn commercially about five years later in 1938 when reports came in of its toxic side effects and associated deaths.
The American Food and Drug Agency described the drug in an official statement issued in 1938 as “extremely dangerous and not fit for human consumption”. Unfortunately, weight and body builders have found DNP to be extremely useful in their campaign for the ultimate physique. It is available albeit illegally over the internet and is even marketed for the purpose of ‘under the radar’ weight loss.
Function Of Dinitrophenol In The Body
Generally, DNP raises the rate of metabolism to a point where it is so high that it becomes dangerous and uncontrollable. Whilst fat might be being burnt there are nasty side-effects. The NHS web-site describes some of these side-effects which include the following:-
- fever
- hyperthermia
- dehydration
- nausea
- vomiting
- restlessness
- flushed skin
- excessive sweating
- dizziness
- headaches
- rapid breathing
- rapid or irregular heartbeat
Any of these side effects, usually in combination can at the very least be extremely damaging to the body.
The warning signs which need to be spotted by others very often are the following:-
- hot dry skin
- excessive thirst
- excessive sweating
- abnormally fast heartbeat
- rapid breathing
Some users have described it like being ‘on fire from the inside out’. The long-term effects from DNP poisoning include cancer, brain damage, skin lesions, eye cataracts and damage to heart and nervous system.
Control Of DNP
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in combination with local authorities and police are actively preventing the sale of DNP in the United Kingdom. It is not possible to prevent sales from outside the country especially over the internet. Consumption of DNP is also banned in the USA and Australia but selling it is not, even in these countries.
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