There are many over-the-counter pills on the market that claim to help you lose weight, block fat, boost your metabolism, and increase fat loss. Many of the claims are untrue. Most are exaggerated. Some are simply lies. It is difficult to sort through it all.
Thyroid extracts from animals are contained in many of the over-the-counter pills and weight loss supplements. These substances are supposed to act like human thyroid hormones to increase your metabolism. While some do, you should be aware of the known side effects:
- Nervousness
- Bulging eyes
- Rapid heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Dehydration
Fat burners are another category of weight loss pills. They claim to raise your metabolism and help your body burn more fat. While they can raise your metabolism (sometimes to dangerous levels), the rest of their claims are questionable. Many of the fat burners contain ephedrine, ephedra, ma huang, guarana, or high levels of caffeine.
Ephedrine is similar to amphetamines. There have been more than 800 episodes involving ephedrine including high blood pressure, severe headaches, seizures, heart attacks, and deaths. The FDA strongly recommends that no person consume more than 8 milligrams of ephedrine per day for a period longer than 7 days. Unfortunately, the labeling of some products hides ephedrine. Use any over-the-counter fat burner with caution.
While there are some supplements that can help you during dieting and exercise, it is best to use clearly labeled products and talk with your doctor before beginning any program involving diet pills.
Keep in mind, too, that the FDA does not regulate herbal supplements, natural supplements, and foreign supplements that can be purchased over the Internet. Not that FDA approval is a surety that a pill cannot cause serious harm or even death, but the lack of any regulation allows many harmful products to enter the marketplace, and remain until the government conducts studies or learns of serious problems.
Chitosan additives are found in herbal diet preparations. Unfortunately, as with all herbal pills, the claims don't have to be backed up with results. Chitosan is supposed to bind itself to fat. The claim is that the fat you eat will never be "picked up" by the body therefore you won't gain weight. According to several independent studies, tests prove that no increase in fat excretion occurs when using chitosan-based products. Although Chitosan occurs naturally as shellfish fiber, its use as a diet pill can do you no good. Instead of taking Chitosan, simply limit your fat intake, pursue a healthy diet, and skip the expense of taking yet another diet pill that won't help.
Pyruvate is found in some over-the-counter weight loss pills. Billed as a "fat burner," this substance has not been proven to affect weight loss. In fact, in some studies conducted by private labs and colleges, pyruvate did not even appear in the blood streams of the users. It should be noted that taking large amounts of pyruvate can cause bloating and diarrhea.
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is found in some over-the-counter pills despite the FDA's November 2000 ban. This ingredient still appears in foreign made diet pills and many pills you can buy through the Internet. PPA was determined to be too dangerous according to medical studies citing more than 142 serious reactions to the drug including dangerously high blood pressure, headaches, stroke, and several deaths. PPA used to be found in Dexatrim, Acutrim, and other over-the-counter weight loss pills. Be aware of PPA in any diet pill you are planning to purchase. If it is listed in the ingredients, do not use the pill as serious complications can result. Note, too, that independent studies proved that weight loss programs of diet and exercise and programs that involved the use of PPA-based diet pills varied only by a half-pound loss per week in the PPA users.
Prescription weight loss supplements are available through your doctor. These diet pills usually work to control appetite and must be used in conjunction with diet and exercise. There are a few that are fat blockers and will prevent your body from absorbing some of the fat you take in through your diet. They are all FDA-approved, but not necessarily safe.
We researched the most commonly-prescribed weight loss and weight control medications. We have attempted to be a thorough as possible, but our information is no substitute for consulting with your physician.
Before you attempt to order any of these prescription medications online (and there are hundreds of websites out there), consult with your doctor to avoid serious interactions, side effects, or even death.
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