Dieters seek appetite suppressants to start a weight loss plan because it is difficult to immediately change your eating habits to smaller portions. Prescription diet pills made from amphetamine derivatives can have undesirable side effects and some doctors will not write a prescription for these drugs. Herbal appetite suppressants, available at health food stores, are an alternative solution for dieters who need to overcome hunger. Naturopathic herbal remedies promote a holistic approach to health with minimal use of surgeries and drugs. Always consult your physician before attempting naturopathic remedies at home.
History
Amphetamines were popular drugs for weight loss until the FDA banned them as appetite suppressants. Drug companies started making non-prescription diet pills with a combination of caffeine, ephedrine and phenyl-propanolamine to provide an appetite suppressant with the same effects as amphetamines. The FDA banned this combination in 1982. In the 1990s, a new appetite suppressant hit the market with fenfluramine and phentermine (fen phen) and the herbal stimulant ephedra, from the Chinese plant ma huang. This drug caused heart valve disease in some people so the FDA banned it in 1997. Ephedra itself was not banned until 2004.
Types
Herbal supplements are available to help suppress the appetite organically. These supplements can be taken with foods. Green tea extract promotes thermogenesis, or the creation of heat or energy in the body, which increases the metabolism and causes a loss of appetite. Garcinia Cambogia is a plant from India related to the citrus family that also works as an appetite suppressant because it has Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA), which raises the level of serotonin in the brain. Hoodia is a plant from Africa that has a molecule called P57, which affects the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls the appetite. Guarana is a root or berry from South America that has a substance called guaranine, which works like caffeine in the body. It increases energy levels and suppresses the appetite.
Effects
The herb ephedrine has side effects including aggressiveness, anxiety, increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Serious side effects are cerebral hemorrhage, strokes, or heart irregularities. Garcinia cambogia has no known side effects but children, pregnant women and people with diabetes should not take this supplement because it decreases the blood sugar and increases the level of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Hoodia has no major side effects but you should not take it with other medicines. Guarana is generally recognized as safe but it has the same effect as caffeine and can increase the heat rate and cause irritability.
Considerations
Herbal appetite suppressants usually include product labels or warnings and brochures or pamphlets in the store to educate consumers. However, dieters should think about how to handle their appetite when they stop taking the supplement. The appetite can come back with increased vigor, thus causing weight gain instead of weight loss. Due to the increased popularity of hoodia, some disreputable merchants are selling fake pills on the Internet. Ensure that you purchase well-known brands of hoodia from an official supplier such as a pharmacy or health food store.
Benefits
According to Dr. Katlen Zenmen, MPH, RD, LD, studies have shown that people who take some herbal appetite suppressant pills like hoodia pills are able to suppress the appetite and successfully reduce the daily calorie count to 1000 calories, which helps them lose weight. Garcinia cambogia is safe for most adults and it is a naturopathic way to lose weight. The HCA in garcinia slows down fat production from carbohydrates and proteins. Guarana has other qualities besides appetite suppression; it also stimulates the migration of lipids so the body can burn fat as energy.
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