The Truth About Diet Pills
For those who want to lose weight, there will always be the question of the much-touted weight-loss pills and supplements. You need to be aware however, that these drugs are not a magic pill that will cure your weight like what an aspirin will do for your headache. Weight loss should be a long term treatment, and while these diet pills may help, they need to be taken in combination with regular physical activity and a healthy diet.
Types Of Weight-Loss Medications:
Probably one of the most popular types of these diet pills (or at least, most commonly known) are "Appetite Suppressants". As the term implies, they keep your appetite down by increasing serotonin or catecholamine in your brain. These are two brain chemicals that affect your appetite, mood and disposition. They promote weight-loss by making your body think and believe that you're not hungry or that you're full. They're available in tablets or capsules and may be bought with or without a doctor's prescription. Of this type, what has been approved by the FDA are Phentermine and Belviq for use in the treatment of obesity.
There is also the drug Qsymia, which when combined with the migraine drug Topiramate can reduce your weight in various ways which may include making you feel that food taste is less appealing or that you feel a certain fullness. It is also said to increase your body's capability of burning calories. These are usually sold only at certified drug stores.
The other type of weight-loss medication is what is known as Fat Absorption Inhibitor. What it does is prevent your body from breaking down and absorbing the fat that usually comes with the food that you eat during meals or snack-time. The fat that is not absorbed is then eliminated out of the body through bowel movements. Of this type, the brand Xenical would probably be known to you as it's available by prescription or over-the-counter as Alli.
Among obese persons, weight-loss pills may help reduce any number of health risks. You need to recognize though, that studies are needed to fully determine their effects in the long haul.
Herbal Weight-Loss:
A newer breed of natural weight loss pills are touted as safer alternatives to medications. These will include herbs that have been shown to burn fat and suppress appetite. Some of these ingredients include chitosan (fat absorption inhibitor), ginger, caffeine (both used to speed up metabolism), among many others. Brand names include Phen375, Herbalife and Adiphene.
While most ingredients in herbal weight supplements are generally safe, the combination of them is unknown. Also, some studies show mixed or even ineffective results with some of the ingredients. While side effects are generally lower with natural supplements, you still need to use them wisely, and check with your doctor before trying any.
The Risks Involved In Diet Pills
When planning to take these medications, you should talk to your doctor regarding the following risks and concerns:
Addiction : Except for Xenical, the above-mentioned drugs are what is known as controlled substances, which in essence says, doctors should follow certain do's and don'ts when prescribing them because they could be addictive.
Possibility of Tolerance: Meaning that after taking these pills for 6 months, your weight would just be leveling off which could be a tell-tale sign that your have developed a tolerance for this medication, although this is yet unclear and unconfirmed.
Side Effects: Most of these weight-loss drugs generally come with side effects. While some can be unpleasant, they are mild and fleeting and tend to improve as your body gets used to them. It's good to note that rarely has there been any report of any serious or fatal side effects.
When taking these, be aware of any or a combination of the following side effects:
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Excessive thirst
- Drowsiness
- Stuffy Nose
- Headache
- Increased heart rate
- Lightheadedness
- Dry mouth
- Increase blood pressure
- Abdominal cramping
If you're serious about losing weight, weight-loss pills should be viewed as a short-term tool, and are not recommended for long term use. It makes sense that while you are taking them, you learn and adopt new eating habits to permanently keep the weight off once you are finished with them.