The Food and Drug Administration regulates diet supplements. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 helps protect consumer safety. Manufacturers have to ensure that the product label is not misleading and truthful. Claims, package inserts and labeling are regulated. Diet pills fall into dietary supplements and receive regulation. Adverse reactions can result from taking these pills, so consumers should exercise caution.
Heart Problems
Some diet pills like fen-phen cause heart valve regurgitation. Fen-phen is an appetite suppressant that was approved in 1959 by the United States according to Dr. Frederick R. Jelovsek. The heart muscles and valves get stiff, which makes the heart work harder. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, heart rate irregularities and swelling of feet and legs. A study conducted by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 1997 discovered that 33 women who used fen-phen from 1 to 28 months developed heart valve regurgitation. People taking diet pills can also suffer from congestive heart failure and heart palpitations.
Death
Diet pills containing ephedra can result in severe health problems and possibly even death, according to a study by the Food and Drug Administration. Ephedrine comes from the herb Ephedra. Fourty-three of the people in the FDA study suffered adverse effects from ephedrine, and three people died.
Stimulants
Twelve million people in the United States purchase diet pills containing Ephedrine and caffeine. Ephedrine and caffeine boost energy levels. This benefits athletic performance, mental alertness and lessens appetite. However, caffeine and Ephedrine can raise heart rate to dangerous levels. Dizziness and muscle contractions can result. Insomnia can also occur. Combining caffeine and Ephedrine enhanced the effect. People with kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure should not use these pills.
Dependance
Some people who lose weight from diet pills may become addicted to them. Other factors like diet and exercise contribute to weight loss. However, people taking diet pills may believe that weight loss occurs from the pills only. People can develop an emotional attachment to the pills. Diet pill users may keep switching types if one does not work. They may even stop exercising and dieting believing that a diet pill causes weight loss.
Miscellaneous Side Effects
Taking diet pills can result in a number of undesirable consequences. High blood pressure, chest tightness and nervousness can result. Diet pills also cause laxative effects. Digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea and vomiting may occur when taking diet pills. You can also develop fever, dry mouth and blurred vision. You may experience headaches when taking diet pills as well. Hair loss may result. Tingling in the extremities and decreased sex drive may also occur. An overdose on diet pills may even result in hallucinations, kidney failure and convulsions.
References
- Food and Drug Administration: Dietary Supplements
- Frederick R. Jelovsek MD: Heart Problems Caused by Diet Pills
- University of California, San Francisco: Report on dietary supplements containing ephedra makes urgent call for research to develop dose guide
- University of Maryland: Dietary Supplements: Ephedra
- Something Fishy: Diet Pills, Laxatives and Dangerous Methods
Member Comments