Over The Counter Weight Loss Pills-Do They Work?
Many dieters turn to weight loss pills for a quick fix. Some people have tried the traditional methods of diet and exercise and found it doesn’t deliver the desired results quickly enough. Others want to add an additional method of losing weight to their current weight loss program. But do diet pills deliver everything the advertisements say they do?
What Are Over the Counter Diet Pills?
Over-the-counter, or OTC, diet pills are those available at a local mass retailer. There are also some diet pills available exclusively online. Not all of the pill manufacturers have performed studies to determine the safety or effectiveness of these pills. The lack of federal regulations on over-the-counter diet pills means that manufacturers don’t need to prove that the products work or that they result in any form of weight loss.
As always, it’s important that you speak with your doctor before taking any diet pill, since there are some products that use ingredients that negatively interact with certain medications or conditions. Many OTC pills are advertised as natural but contain herbal ingredients that can affect a person’s health.
Effectiveness of OTC Diet Pills
Fat blockers such as alli and chitosan are noted for the ability to block a percentage of dietary fat and help increase weight loss. These must be used with exercise and a reduced fat diet in order to show an increase in weight loss. Fat blockers may also block necessary nutrients from entering the blood stream and cause certain vitamin deficiencies, so it is advisable you take a multivitamin when taking a fat blocker.
Appetite suppressants such as Hoodia are marketed as a natural way to decrease appetite and lose weight safely. While these products may seem effective initially, once they’re stopped, the weight will come back. And if you’re not eating nutrient dense foods while taking these pills, you could experience a nutrition deficit.
Some diet pills combine ingredients that help suppress appetite and help clean out the gastrointestinal track. This loss of water and bulk weight induces a slight weight loss, but the weight returns easily upon stopping the pills.
In conclusion, while most diet pills may offer some form of weight loss, the only real fight against weight gain is a sensible diet and consistent exercise.
An Overview Of The Most Popular Diet Pills
There are two types of diet pills available on the market. Prescription pills are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and must meet certain safety requirements. Supplemental pills are sold over the counter and aren’t classified as diet drugs, so these pills have no federal safety regulations. Most dieters prefer to try different over-the- counter diet pills since these are the pills marketed heavily on television by celebrities and musicians.
Types of Popular Diet Pills
Alli – The main ingredient in Alli is the fat blocker Orlistat. This pill blocks 25% of each meal’s fat intake from being absorbed. The unabsorbed fat is passed through the colon. One major side effect is that the excess fat in the colon can cause leakage or runny bowels that are uncontrollable.
Hoodia Gordonii Plus – Hoodia Gordonii is a succulent harvested for its appetite suppressing qualities. This pill tricks the body into believing it’s full before a large quantity of calories are consumed. Taken a half hour before meals, the Hoodia Gordonii pill can help people take in up to 1,000 less calories a day.
Thermogenic Hydroxycut Advanced – The original Hydroxycut products were recalled in May of 2009. This new product relies on caffeine anhydrous to help increase metabolism for a faster calorie burn. Its rapid release capsules are supposed to promote higher energy so a person can work out longer and harder.
Orovo Advanced Weight Loss – Inspired by an episode of Oprah and Dr. Perricone’s whole foods philosophy, Orovo combines vitamins and whole foods that help promote weight loss. The pills contain a mixture of herbs, ground whole foods such as alfalfa and flaxseed, and a small amount of antioxidants. The ingredients work together to reduce fat absorption and increase metabolism.
Fenphedra – This diet pill makes some serious weight loss claims, with some dieters claiming to lose 12 pounds in two weeks. Fenphedra uses Dicaffeine Malate, Chocamine, Phenylethylamine, and Synephrine. The ingredients work together to burn fat, increase energy, and suppress appetite. Since this product relies heavily on stimulants, some users may feel jittery while taking the pills.
There are a ton more diet pill products on the market, and diet researchers create new blends of pills each year. Dieters need to research the ingredients and side effects of each product before beginning any new pill. Diet pills aren’t a weight loss cure, and most of them still require diet and exercise to see optimal weight loss success.
If anyone has used any of these diet pills please leave a comment and let everyone know how they worked for you, good or bad.
