Why pay 80 cents for a single stick of gum? Three words: endurance, stamina, satisfaction

Chew On This

They call it “gum for him.”

The “him” is any man who needs some help with endurance. Or needs stamina support. Or satisfaction assistance.

You get the drift.

It’s a new chewing gum, called Sexlets, described as a dietary supplement that contains “natural” ingredients.

But Marc Ullman is not buying it–both literally and figuratively.

According to NutraIngredients-USA, Mr. Ullman is a “New York food attorney” who says Sexlets is not a supplement and should be regulated like a drug. He notes that the manufacturer (Future Lifestyles LLC) claims that the active ingredients in the gum are “instantly absorbed into the body through the capillaries.”

Mr. Ullman: “If a nutrient is absorbed through the capillaries, then it’s a drug. Dietary supplements have to be absorbed in the GI tract.”

Thing is…the GI tract begins in the mouth, which is where Sexlets’ ingredients are absorbed. This is also where other supplements are absorbed, like sublingual vitamin B12 tablets and sublingual sprays that relieve headaches.

But I’m not sure Mr. Ullman is truly and deeply dedicated to getting Sexlets classified as a drug. Sounding kind of mopey, he also told NutraIngredients, “I doubt FDA will do anything. The Agency generally reacts with glacial speed unless there is an imminent danger to public health.”

Imminent danger could be hard to prove. But you can absolutely make a case that chewing Sexlets is a reckless way to jumpstart endurance.

Missing totals

The main problem with Sexlets is the glaring lack of dosage information.

The package labeling might be specific (I haven’t seen it), but the information website (sexletsgum.com) does not let you know exactly what you’ll be getting when you order. (Side note: make sure you type in the website address carefully and include the letters g, u, and m–or you will get MUCH more than you bargained for!)

Sure, there’s plenty of information about the ingredients (history, trial results, etc.), but not a word about dosage. Which is kind of a big deal with some of the ingredients.

For instance: Yohimbe bark extract is an African botanical that’s been used as a stimulant for many generations. And if you get a good quality product, it just might stimulate blood flow and maybe even ease depression.

But for some, yohimbe makes blood pressure spike. The risk of this side effect and others (palpitations, dizziness) happens to increase with higher dosages. But if you’re chewing a stick of Sexlets, you have no idea how much yohimbe you’re getting.

Another Sexlets ingredient is DHEA.

This important hormone helps boost energy levels and alleviate depression. DHEA production in the body drops off as we age, so supplements can be helpful for some. But a hormone supplement should ONLY be taken with the guidance of a doctor. And knowing the dosage is a must.

One other ingredient of note is orchic powder–described on the Sexlets website as a “glandular supplement that can increase the testosterone levels.”

First you should know that the gland here is bull testes. And while you’re chewing on that, remember that testosterone is a hormone. Boosting it might be a good idea for some, but it might also prompt rapid growth of prostate cancer–a common cancer that can go undetected for years.

I’m sure there are plenty of men out there who will ignore these concerns, throw health caution to the wind and start chewing. But if they do, they’ll also throw some cash to the wind. A single stick of Sexlets costs about eighty cents. And the website suggests you use three sticks daily. That’s a monthly chewing gum bill of more than $65! (You can order in bulk and get a slightly better deal.)

Keep in mind, though, you’re not just paying for gum, you’re paying for know-how. According to the website, that’s what makes this Future Lifestyles product so dependable: “Combining fifty six (56) years of knowledge and experience, we hold a strong grip with awareness and expertise of our manufactured products.”

What they lack in their grip of grammar, they make up for in unintentional hilarity.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Sources:
“Sex Gum is Drug, Says Attorney” NutraIngredients-USA, 1/29/10, nutraingredients-usa.com
“Factory Produces a Million Pieces of Libido Enhancing Sex Gum Monthly” Ayinde O. Chase, All Headline News, 2/1/10, allheadlinenews.com