When it comes to weight loss, many people turn to diet pills as a quick fix. But do these pills really work? According to the FDA, most of them don't and some can even be dangerous. Federal regulators have found products marketed as dietary supplements that contain drugs that are not approved for use in the United States. It's important to remember that FDA-approved diet pills are not a magic weight loss formula.
Medications may be helpful in the treatment of obesity, but they are not a miracle cure. A small minority of people consider them a useful supplement to a diet and exercise program. In a study of 2,800 people who lost at least 30 pounds and did not maintain them for more than a year, only 4 percent did so with medication use. Another approach is to lose some weight and use medications to help keep the weight down.
Most prescription weight-loss medications work by decreasing appetite or increasing feelings of fullness. The latest generation of drugs seems to do just that - they will not reduce the model of a morbidly obese patient, but they will remove excess fat enough to improve risk factors for heart disease, such as hypertension, high blood sugar and high cholesterol, experts say. Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate. It is also often added to dietary pills and supplements.
According to a study of 76 obese adults, people who had a high intake of caffeine saw a greater reduction in fat mass, weight circumference and overall weight compared to people who had a low caffeine intake. Side effects of caffeine include nervousness, increased heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. Glucomannan is a type of fiber supplement. It works by absorbing water in the intestine, which produces a feeling of satiety that can cause people to eat less.
However, studies seem to be contradictory on whether glucomannan can help you lose weight. A more recent review of randomized control trials indicated that glucomannan did not appear to produce significant weight loss. For those who do take glucomannan, side effects may include gas, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Garcinia cambogia extract contains the juices of this little fruit and is available as a weight loss pill. Garcinia cambogia can inhibit or prevent a fat-producing enzyme called citric acid lyase.
Although garcinia cambogia extract may not help you lose weight, it doesn't seem to cause many side effects when taken in reasonable doses. The previous report also indicated that no adverse effects occurred with a dietary dose of up to 2,800 milligrams (mg) per day. The body produces pyruvate when it breaks down sugar. Pyruvate is also sold as a supplement to help you lose weight by helping break down fat and increase metabolism. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institute of Health, Pyruvate May Have Some Effects on Weight Loss.
Existing studies are weak, so the results are not conclusive. Side effects of pyruvate include gas and bloating. Hydroxycut is a popular dietary supplement. There are different Hydroxycut products, which contain several ingredients. Hydroxycut products usually contain plant extracts and caffeine, although caffeine-free versions of the supplement are also available.
There are no studies that specifically review Hydroxycut. Caffeine, which has been studied, may contribute to small amounts of weight loss. Since the ingredients in Hydroxycut vary, it is difficult to establish the possible side effects. Hydroxycut supplements containing caffeine can cause jitters and increased heart rate. Caffeine, green tea extract and orlistat seem to be the most research supporting their claims for helping with weight loss.
Unfortunately, there is no miracle supplement that will safely melt kilos away - but if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Ask your health professional about lifestyle treatment programs for weight management that work. There are only two prescription drugs that are approved by the FDA for long-term use for weight loss (several others are approved only for short-term use for a few months). In reality, according to the NIH, the amount of fat you bind is probably not enough to help you lose a significant amount of weight. Two or three stimulants are usually “stacked” in a single weight loss product, often together with aspirin or willow bark. Although it is considered quite safe, there is no evidence that it actually helps you lose weight - overuse has been linked to liver problems. However, sustained weight loss of 5-10% can have significant health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, blood sugar and triglyceride levels. In one study from Sweden involving overweight men who took CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), they lost more fat than those who did not take the product. While there is little evidence that some of these products have minor effects on weight loss, none is the magic formula that will allow you to lose weight while eating potato chips in front of the TV! Your healthcare professional may prescribe medication to treat your overweight or obesity if you are an adult with certain health risks. Here's what you need to know about each one and if they can help you lose weight: This is because most diet pills are made up of several ingredients and instructions suggest taking them while on a diet that is restrictive in calories. How long you will need to take weight-management medication depends on whether the medication helps you lose weight and keep it off - as well as whether you experience serious side effects - when combined with changes in behavior such as healthy eating and increased physical activity. That new understanding is why some major medical associations have come to consider diet pills intrinsic in the battle against obesity - along with lifestyle programs which address other things that cause you to gain weight such as eating triggers and not getting enough sleep.
