What To Look For
A trip to the drugstore in search of a "weight loss pill" or "appetite suppressant" is likely to result in product overload. These days, there are so many products marketed to people who want to lose weight. However, there are only a handful of medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as weight loss aids that help suppress the appetite--Diethylpropion, Phendimetrazine, Phentermine, and Sibutramine--and you can only get these drugs with a doctor's prescription.
While there are hundreds of other options that you can purchase over the counter (OTC), the FDA has only approved one (Xenical, marketed as Alli), which it is currently investigating for reported cases of liver injury. No other OTC product has received FDA approval yet, and and some reportedly cause serious side effects and/or lack evidence to support their claims of weight loss.
Common Pitfalls
If your doctor has advised you against a prescription weight loss drug, you may be tempted to go the "natural" route by buying one of the many over-the-counter products that are marketed as "natural" or "holistic." These terms sound healthy, right? Not exactly. Country mallow, also know as heartleaf, is a popular "natural" weight loss aid that was banned by the FDA as unsafe. Green tea extract, while considered possibly safe by the FDA, has insufficient data to support claims of weight loss.
Contrary to popular marketing, the truly natural approach to appetite suppression has nothing to do with a pill, and everything to do with eating and drinking the right kinds of foods and beverages. Low-calorie, high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains act as a natural appetite suppressant because fiber takes longer to digest, which contributes to a sense of fullness. A few extra glasses of plain water every day, particularly before meals, have a similar effect.
Where To Buy
One of the great things about the truly natural approach to appetite suppression is that you can buy low-calorie, fiber-rich foods at any supermarket, usually at a fraction of the cost of a potentially unsafe, clinically unproven appetite suppressant. Best of all, you can lose weight by eating healthy foods in reasonable quantities, rather than popping a potentially unsafe or ineffective pill.
Cost
One of the most common arguments against eating a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains is the cost. While some researchers agree that processed junk foods are cheaper to purchase, remember that appetite suppressants in pill form cost something too--and you still have to fill your refrigerator afterward. Also remember that if cost is a concern for you, there's a wealth of resources available to help you stretch your shopping budget while purchasing and preparing healthy foods to help you feel full and lose weight naturally.
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