SAN DIEGO -- The Doctor's Weight Loss Clinic is a chain of seven centers in San Diego and Riverside Counties, and it caught the attention of the 10News I-Team because of information posted on their Web site, including the fact that they prescribe adenosine monophosphate.

In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration stated that adenosine monophosphate, also known as AMP, was "neither safe nor effective."

Despite that, it's legally obtainable in the U.S. However, it has not been approved by the FDA for weight loss. 10News confirmed it is one of the treatments offered at the weight clinics, along with B vitamin injections. The cost varies, but the injections run about $100 each or more.

I-Team researcher Julia Vazquez said she was told by the clinic that, "It speeds up metabolism which causes me to lose weight, and it's also an energy booster." She was told that during a visit to two of the clinics, one in Clairemont and the other in El Cajon.

"I asked if it was all safe and FDA approved and they said yes, all of them were," she said, referring to the injections of B vitamin and AMP.

The same claim was repeated during two phone inquiries 10News made as potential customers to the Riverside and Murrieta clinics.

Joyce Simpson said she is the managing partner of the seven clinics. Her daughter, Dr. Rhonda Simpson, whose practice is in Oregon, is the medical director. Another doctor, Arthur Aronson, does the initial physical.

10News told Joyce Simpson that her employees had claimed the vitamin B injections and AMP were FDA approved.

"If that happened, then it's a lack of training," she responded.

As a supplement, vitamin B is not regulated by the FDA, and it's debatable whether it is even helpful for those who don't have a deficiency.

Medical weight loss surgeon Dr. Julia Ellner said, "Vitamin B supplementation is a very common practice in weight loss clinics."

Ellner also said B vitamins do not make people lose weight nor boost calorie burning, and added, "B vitamins do not speed up your metabolism."

Ellner's opinion is echoed by Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietician with the Mayo Clinic.

"The bottom line is that there is no good evidence to support the use of any B vitamins for weight loss," she said.

Zeratsky said for most people who have a deficiency, taking B vitamins by mouth is just as effective as a higher-priced injection. For those without a deficiency, it's neither harmful nor helpful.

"Either they will be excreted, or they'll be a waste of your picket book," Zeratsky added.

Joyce Simpson said she stands behind her clinics' practices of offering B vitamin injections, including the claim her employees made that it's more effective if injected.

"I can't tell you why it works, but it works for me," she said.

As for the adenosine monophosphate, her manager insists that it is safe.

But 10News confirmed with the FDA that AMP is not approved and has not been determined safe by "scientifically credible observations."

Because doctors are involved, the FDA leaves enforcement up to state regulators. 10News contacted the California Medical Board and California Department of Public Health about what they learned, and the state medical board has asked for follow-up information.