What Diet Pills Really Work for Weight Loss?
Apr 13th, 2008 by Travis Van Slooten
With so many diet pills available you may wonder, what diet pills actually work for weight loss? The answer is there are a few diet pills that actually work, but there are no magic pills. You can’t take any kind of diet pill, continue to eat everything in site, lead a sedentary life and expect to lose weight. Shrinking your waist requires a change in lifestyle. This means making healthy changes in your diet and getting your body up and moving.
The diet pills available today may be safer than diet pills in the past, that doesn’t mean they are safe and effective for every individual. Each diet pill is different and each comes with its own set of side effects. You should talk in depth with your physician about any diet pill or supplement you are considering taking. Here is a list of some of the more popular diet pills today and the pertinent information about each.
Meridia (sibutramine)
Meridia works on norepinephrine and serotonin, the brain’s appetite-control center. Meridia alters these chemicals in a way that makes a person perceive they are full. People who feel full will eat less. It is available by prescription only and is used for very overweight and obese people only.
Meridia works well for some people who seem to never feel “full” after eating. If you have a ravenous appetite and never feel satisfied, Meridia could help you overcome that feeling. This drug is only prescribed to obese and overweight individuals. If you are struggling to lose that last ten pounds, Meridia is not the drug for you since its use is reserved for individuals with more serious weight issues.
Before you start taking Meridia you should know that it can increase your blood pressure and it can also up your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. You should also know that the FDA is closely monitoring Meridia ever since it was banned in Italy for causing adverse reactions in consumers.
Byetta (exenatide) and Glucophage (metformin)
If you are a type 2 diabetic and overweight or obese, your doctor may prescribe Byetta and Glucophage. Both are diabetic drugs used to manage blood sugar levels.
Doctors will generally not prescribe patients Byetta or Glucophage unless they are type 2 diabetics, or they suffer from hormonal conditions that are linked to insulin resistance. The good news is if your doctor does prescribe these two medications they are more likely to be covered by your insurance company than other diet drugs.
Zimulti (rimonabant)
Rimonabant is an anti-obesity drug. While pegged a potential blockbuster by industry analysts, it hasn’t been approved by the FDA over concerns that it has been shown to increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. If, and when, the FDA approves this prescription drug, it will be marketed as Zimulti. However, it has been available in the European Union since 2006 under the name Acomplia.
Alli (orlistat)
Alli can be purchased over-the-counter. It is a reduced-strength version of Orlistat, which is a prescription obesity drug. Alli works for weight loss by limiting the amount of fat in the foods you eat from being absorbed by the body. The fat that isn’t absorbed is removed from the body by bowel movements. By limiting the fat that is absorbed in the body, Alli helps to reduce the number of calories absorbed.
It is very important that you do not eat too much fat when taking Alli. Some users of this diet pill have reported loose stools and leakage when they have eaten too much fat. Many have resorted to taking extra clothing with them when they leave home! It is recommended that you consume no more than 15 grams of fat per meal after taking Alli to prevent these unwanted side effects.
Supplements
Don’t take any diet supplements until you know what you are consuming. There are some supplements, such as bitter orange extract, whose safety is being questioned. Bitter orange extract is often used as a replacement to ephedra. Ephedra was banned in the United States because it caused strokes and deaths-and a myriad of adverse reactions in consumers.
Two supplements which do appear to be safe and are rising in popularity are green tree extract and hoodia gordonii. EGCG, an antioxidant that helps boost metabolism, is found in green tea. Hoodia, on the other hand, has been shown to be a potentially effective natural appetite suppressant without any side effects.
Diet pills - do they work for weight loss? As you can see, that depends. Some of the pills listed here may be beneficial and worth talking to your doctor about. Supplements may be a better alternative but there is no guarantee either that they are safer or equally as effective. Diet and exercise are the only tried and true methods for effective, long-term weight loss. However, if you feel compelled to try a diet pill or supplement, keep their limited role in perspective and always be sure to talk to your doctor first!
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