It can be frustrating when it comes time to consider diet pills. Do they work or don’t they when it comes to weight loss? Not only can they be expensive, but some simply aren’t going to be effective. The good news is there are some diet pills that do work when they are taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Still though, keep their roles in perspective. While they may provide some weight loss help, their overall effectiveness is limited.
What diet pills really work will depend on your current health and weight – and whether or not your body responds favorably to the myriad of options out there. Unfortunately, there isn’t a “one size fits all” diet pill. You’ll want to consult with your doctor and discuss what options are best for you. Following is a list of some of the popular diet pills that people are taking today and what you should know about each of them.
Meridia (sibutramine)
Meridia works on the brain’s appetite-control center and alters the chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin. These chemical regulate how full a person feels after eating. Meridia is available by prescription only and it intended for very overweight or obese individuals.
Meridia may be the answer for those individuals who are obese and are always hungry. It may help overcome that gnawing hungry feeling and may help a person feel satisfied. This drug is only given to people who are overweight and obese. It should not be used by someone wanting to shed a few extra stubborn pounds.
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)
Byetta is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is an injectable diabetes medicine. Glucophage is also used for people with type 2 diabetes but it is an oral diabetes medicine. Both medications help control blood sugar levels.
If you are a type 2 diabetic, or if you suffer from hormonal conditions that are linked to insulin resistance, your doctor may prescribe Byetta or Glucophage to help you lose weight. Unlike other weight loss drugs, insurance companies will more than likely pick up the tab on these medications as they are classified as “diabetic medications.”
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)
Orlistat is a prescription drug used to treat obesity. Alli is a reduced-strength version of Orlistat and is available over-the-counter, but it is still recommended that you consult your doctor before taking it. Alli helps weight loss by preventing fat in the food you eat from being absorbed in the body, specifically by the intestines. The undigested fat is removed from your body through bowel movements. By decreasing the absorption of fat in the body, Alli essentially reduces the number of calories you absorb.
There is a drawback to Alli that consumers should know about. If you eat too much fat you may soil or leak on yourself. These kinds of accidents can be embarrassing, so be forewarned. These occurrences can be prevented, however, by limiting the amount of fat you consumer per meal.
Supplements
Many people think that if a weight loss supplement is natural, it is safe. This is not necessarily so. For instance, some companies looking for a replacement of ephedra (the drug that was banned due to its adverse reactions, including strokes and death) are now using bitter orange extract in its place because it affects the body in a similar way as ephedra. This is a perfect example of how a supplement may be “natural” but not necessarily safe.
There are two supplements, however, that many agree are safe and may be effective in weight loss. They are green tree extract and hoodia gordonii. EGCG, an antioxidant found in green tea, may help boost the body’s metabolism. Hoodia gordonii is a natural appetite suppressant. It tricks the brain into thinking you are full. The idea behind hoodia diet pills is that if you feel full, you’ll eat less. Thus, you’ll lose weight.
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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