DNP: Weight Loss Drug Caused Deaths

This article explains the pros and cons of DNP (2,4-Dinitrophenol). DNP is a potent chemical promoted as a weight loss drug because it speeds up fat metabolism. While DNP significantly enhances your weight loss efforts, this drug can be toxic to humans, and its use has already resulted in death.

DNP was first used as a weight loss drug in the 1920s. As a result, DNP became a popular weight loss drug and was used until 1938, when it was banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to the number of toxic effects and deaths associated with its use.

How exactly does DNP help aid in weight loss? The way that this drug works is that it greatly increases the rate your metabolism. This is because it interferes with your body's ability to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which provides energy for your body. When this deficiency occurs, your body must increase its metabolic rate and burn more fat to meet energy demands. This results in excessive weight and fat loss over a short time.

However, the side effects included increased heart and breathing rates, along with increase of body temperature. This is due to the large amount of heat that is produced during the DNP's interference with the body's ATP production. In severe cases, DNP can cause rapid heart and respiration rate, kidney failure, and may also lead to death.

(The image above shows the chemical structure of 2,4-Dinitrophenol)

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DNP and Weight Loss