Most diet pills are bad for you, states the TeensHealth website from the Nemours Foundation. Not only do diet pills often cause unwanted side effects, they typically do not work and significant weight loss does not occur. If you are considering the use of diet pills, speak to your doctor first.
Misconceptions
Most diet pills contain a blend of herbs that are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, according to TeensHealth. The claims made by the diet pill manufacturers, such as fat burning abilities and metabolism boosters are not validated by the FDA. If you do use diet supplements to lose weight, regularly check the FDA website for any possible warnings or recalls.
Time Frame
Even if you experience an initial weight loss from diet pills, the results are not likely to last. You will either have to continuously take the diet pills or reduce your calorie intake. Once you stop taking the supplement, the weight is likely to creep back on, states the MayoClinic.com.
Effects
One of the concerns of taking over-the-counter diet pills is that you may experience a range of unwanted side effects. For instance, diet pills that contain high amounts of caffeine may cause dizziness, heart palpitations and headaches. The over-the-counter diet pill Alli may cause oily rectal discharge, stomach pain and diarrhea, according to TeensHealth.
Warning
Some of the ingredients found in diet pills may be considered unsafe or possibly banned by the FDA. The FDA is investigating Alli, an over-the-counter version of Orlistat, amid reports of possible liver damage, states the MayoClinic.com. Country mallow and ephedra have been banned for distribution in diet pills by the FDA.
Considerations
In some cases, your doctor may recommend using diet pills to supplement weight loss. For instance, obese and overweight individuals may be advised to use the generic prescription weight loss drug Orlistat. This drug blocks fat from being absorbed into the intestines, and, instead, the fat passes through the bowels, notes Mayo Clinic. You should take these pills only in combination with a low fat diet and exercise plan.
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