Unhealthy alternatives to weight loss

These days it is nearly impossible to get through an episode of your favorite show without various interruptions from seemingly miraculous weight loss pill commercials.  With over 60% of American adults labeled as overweight or obese, why aren’t more people rushing to the pharmacy to buy the latest pound shedder?  And what really goes into the tiny marvels that make these pills so appealing?

Truth
Despite what you may have heard there can be some truth to the incredible weight loss claims.  These diet drugs can help you quickly lose weight.  But, quickly dropping pounds and maintaining a lighter weight should not be treated equally.  Most pills are successful in the beginning of your dieting process but are not intended to be a major player throughout your entire weight loss.  Also many diet pills on the market today, like the popular over-the-counter drug Alli, should be taken in addition to diet and exercise not used to replace it. 

How they work
Prescription diet pills can work to suppress appetite or block some of the fat you ingest, using ingredients with lengthy names such as sibutramine, diethylpropion, phentermine and orlistat.  The ingredients used to suppress appetite actually take effect on your brain as they block the re-uptake of the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which imitates the feeling of being full.  Over-the-counter and herbal weight loss pills usually have similar effects on the body and are also known to increase metabolism, cleanse the body of harmful toxins and create the faux full feeling in its users.  But are they safe? 

Why they don’t work
Herbal pills may be harmful before they even hit the shelves.  This is due to their food and drug regulation, or lack thereof.  Herbal supplements are regulated differently by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  While over-the-counter and prescription drugs are reviewed more closely within the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, herbal diet pills are not considered to a drug, so they are instead reviewed by the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.  This raises some speculation as to whether these supplements can actually perform the claims they boast. 

Harmful Aftermath
All diet pills can have risky side effects, including heart problems, stroke, seizures and death if taken for longer than six months.  Over-the-counter pills containing the ingredient phenylpropanolamine can elevate blood pressure levels and cause stroke if taken in excess.  Herbal supplements containing the ever-popular ingredient ephedrine have been known to cause seizures and heart attacks and can lead to death if the supplement is abused.  Mixing diet pills with other medications can have severe side effects as well.  Taking prescription diet pills with other medications, especially antidepressants or additional medications for controlling obesity, should also be avoided as overconsumption can lead to severe psychological imbalances as well as various heart and lung problems.  Less severe side effects include gastrointestinal and digestion problems including abdominal pain and constipation.  Likewise, the use of laxatives for weight loss should be avoided as it is known to cause dehydration and kidney disease.