Diet Pills Summary

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The Facts of Diet Pills and their Risks

Nowadays diet pills are one of the many weight loss options available to consumers, but just how informed are the masses about these products and their risks?

There are many weight loss options available on today’s market in a variety of forms, but perhaps the most abundant is the diet pill. It guarantees to help you lose weight, fast! But are these miracle pills really all they are cracked up to be? What about all the possible side effects listed in the fine print that they flash in front of your eyes for only a few seconds? According to the never ending flow of ads, diet pills are the answer to getting rid of those extra pounds, but are they really?

As with any diet plan, the dieter needs to keep in mind that the true key to losing weight in a safe manner is to follow a balanced, healthy diet and exercise regularly. Without those two key components, you can expect little to no results regardless of the regime that you follow.

Some things to keep in mind when browsing diet pill options are: how long has the product been on the market; is it approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration); does it have positive consumer reviews; does the product work in the short term or long term and would your doctor recommend or advise against using the product.

Most physicians will advise against using diet pills because many do not work at all. Those that do come with warning labels mention possible side effects, some of which are possibly life threatening. Side effects can vary depending on the specific product you are using, but most are unpleasant and can cause risks that outweigh any possible benefits.

Another problem with diet pills is the method that the pill is actually using to cause weight loss. Some prevent the body from absorbing fat, which instead passes through the digestive system and exits the body. This can be an unpleasant experience, especially if your diet is rich in fats and oils. Others only cause the loss of water weight, which is not getting rid of body fat, just causing dehydration. In other words, it is weight you would eventually gain back because it is part (75%) of your natural body weight.

Others act as appetite suppressants by raising the body’s metabolic rate. Although this seems like a good way to induce weight loss, recently the FDA has banned several pills that suppress the appetite because they have been linked to serious health issues, such as heart attacks and strokes, which in some cases have led to death of the consumer. These appetite suppressants can also cause side effects such as jitteriness and insomnia.

You have to keep in mind that diet pills are basically a prescription without the Rx. Doctors will refer to diet pills as anti-obesity pills, meaning they are used to treat a chronic medical condition. Despite the fact these pills are considered a medication, doctors will advise against them. In fact, the only group with a positive opinion about them is the diet pill industry itself. So as a consumer, are you willing to entrust your health to a product that most physicians are wary about, even adamant in avoiding?