The diet and weight-loss industry is bloated with promises of quick weight loss that comes in the form of a "magic pill." Actually, there are only two categories of diet pills: non-prescription over-the-counter weight-loss supplements and diet pills that are prescribed by your doctor. Dietary supplements refer to a wide spectrum of products that include fat blockers, appetite suppressants, carb blockers, fat burners and diuretics. Dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so get your doctor's advice before taking any diet or weight-loss supplements.
Prescription Diet Pills
In 1999, the FDA approved the drug Xenical, also known as Orlistat, for the treatment and management of obesity. Xenical doesn't suppress the appetite, but rather it works in the intestinal tract to keep your body from absorbing about 30 percent of dietary fat. This drug is only recommended for people who have a body mass index of 30 or higher.
Prescription diet pills that fall into the classification of an appetite suppressant are Meridia, Bontril, Adipex and Phentermine. These target neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, and an increase of these chemicals can lead to a decrease in appetite.
According to Donald Hensrud, M.D., preventative medicine specialist with Mayo Clinic, phentermine should be used with an comprehensive weight-loss plan that includes exercise and a healthful diet. Hensrud says phentermine can be a way to kick start your weight loss, but he warns that after you stop taking the drug, you most likely will regain the weight.
OTC Appetite Suppressants
Non-prescription diet supplements marketed for appetite control might contain one or more active ingredient, including caffeine, green tea extract or EGCG, garcinia cambogia or hydroxycitric acid (HCA), or the latest weight-loss-rage, hoodia. These substances are all considered to be natural stimulants that work by increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, there is not enough scientific data to confirm green tea extract aides in weight loss. However, the extract does contain caffeine and might cause insomnia, anxiety and other side effects. Obesity-news.com cites similar findings regarding garcinia cambogia, as in there is no credible evidence that the ingredient has any effect on weight loss in humans. Hoodia is an extract derived from a South African plant that is now being added to dietary supplements. From a consumer standpoint, it can be difficult to determine if the product contains the proper amount of hoodia to be effective. Obesity-news.com recommends that you look for a certificate of authenticity and attempt to buy from a U.S.-based company.
OTC Fat and Carb Blockers
Fat blockers are designed to keep your body from absorbing dietary fat and storing it in your fat cells, thereby rendering about one-third of the excess fat calories you consume "harmless." The substance used in these diet supplements is usually chitosan, which is derived from marine exoskeletons. Obesity-news says there are currently no published studies to support the claim that chitosan is effective for weight loss.
Carb-blockers are marketed similarly to fat blockers, except the intended enemy is sugar and starches. The key ingredient in carb-blockers is usually phaselous vulgaris, which is an extract derived from the white kidney bean. As of 2010, there are no long-term studies regarding the efficacy of carb-blockers, and the products that contain phaselous vulgaris are not regulated by the FDA.
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