WESTON, Fla. – The creators of Bystrictin tout it as a natural alternative for blocking hunger and an alternative to bariatric surgery.
"They shouldn't be comparing a dietary product to a surgical process," said Dr. Lillian Craggs-Dino, a bariatric dietician at Cleveland Clinic Florida.
Craggs-Dino said Bystrictin is like a high fiber meal replacement, a protein shake with three types of soluble fiber.
"What soluble fiber does is absorb fluid so it does make you feel that fullness feeling," she said.
Craggs-Dino said fiber from fruits and vegetables can provide the same thing.
"We're always looking for that magic pill to lose weight rather than doing it the right way," she said.
Although the product may be considered safe, Craggs-Dino said it's not for everyone.
"If you have somebody that doesn't know if they have a gastric obstruction, esophageal problems, this could be a very dangerous product for them because you need to drink plenty of water, and if you don't, you can actually create obstruction in the intestines," she said.
A monthly supply of Bystrictin costs $79.95.