The restrictive nature of dieting poses an unwelcome challenge for many overweight individuals. The weight loss industry claims to make the dieting process faster and easier by providing products that do everything from boost your metabolism to suppress your appetite. Always talk to your doctor before using a new weight loss aid.
Diet Pills
A weight loss industry staple since the 1950s, diet pills are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. The National Institutes of Health notes that although the US Food and Drug Association regulates non-prescription diet pills, it classifies them as "dietary supplements." Thus, they aren't regulated in the same manner as other food and drug products.
The FDA doesn't require non-prescription diet pill manufacturers to standardize diet pills. Because of this, its possible for two bottles of diet pills from the same manufacturer to contain considerably different levels of each ingredient. Prescription diet pills, by contrast, are closely regulated as drug products rather than dietary supplements.
Weight Loss Patches
Although not as widely used as diet pills, weight loss patches are yet another product available for dieters. Similar to smoking cessation patches, weight-loss patch manufacturers claim that the product delivers its ingredients through the skin over the course of a day--facilitating weight loss. Columbia University Health Services notes that weight loss patches often contain fucus vesiculosus, a type of algae, and should be avoided by individuals who suffer from diabetes as the algae can interfere with blood sugar levels.
Meal Replacements
Meal replacements consist of a reduced-calorie drink or snack intended to take the place of what would have been a higher calorie meal--reducing your caloric intake and causing your body to lose weight. You can combine meal replacement shakes and bars with modified healthy eating habits or use solely meal replacements for the initial phase of your diet.
According to New York University's Langone Medical Center, meal replacements provide greater initial weight loss than merely eating healthy foods, but individuals who use meal replacements to lose weight typically gain back more weight than those who adhere to a healthy diet from the start.
Green Tea
Green tea manufacturers claim that weight loss is a side effect of the natural ingredients contained within the tea. A 2010 article in the Los Angeles Times notes that a research study originally published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition demonstrates the weight loss benefits of green tea. Participants in the study who drank four cups of strong green tea throughout the day, lost an average of 5.5 lb. more than those who did not.
Member Comments