Overweight and obesity are epidemic in the United States, with two-thirds of adult Americans overweight or obese. Many people try to lose weight, often turning to over-the-counter or prescription diet and weight loss products. While some people find success with these products, not everyone can or should use them.
Types
Health stores, pharmacies and supermarkets sell an assortment of diet and weight loss products. Herbal supplements, diuretics, laxatives and appetite suppressants are among the types of over-the-counter products available to consumers. In addition, physicians might prescribe medications for weight loss that suppress appetite, reduce fat absorption or stimulate metabolism.
Misconceptions
Not all weight loss and diet products are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to MayoClinic.com, most over-the-counter diet and weight loss products have not been proven as effective at causing weight loss, contrary to claims made on product packaging and advertising. Consumer Reports notes that taking more of a diet or weight loss product than is recommended will not speed up weight loss, and might cause serious health problems.
Effects
Some diet products contain caffeine and laxatives, which might interfere with sleep and cause changes in bowel and bladder habits. In addition, some diet and weight loss products could interfere or interact with medications used to treat serious health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, hypertension, asthma and high cholesterol. According to Consumer Reports, products containing garlic, ginger and ginseng can increase the risk of internal bleeding in people taking blood-thinning medications.
Considerations
Diet pills and related weight loss products do not replace a healthy lifestyle that includes moderate exercise on most days of the week and a nutritionally balanced diet. According to MayoClinic.com, successful long-term weight loss requires a commitment to a lifelong healthy lifestyle and permanent changes in dietary and exercise habits. Weight loss products and diet pills might not list the quantities and/or names of active ingredients, making it difficult for consumers to make an educated choice about the products they buy.
Warning
Several over-the-counter weight loss products have been labeled as unsafe and banned by the FDA. These include products containing the ingredients ephedra and country mallow. In addition, ongoing studies by the FDA and Consumer Reports on diet products containing kava, DHEA, orlistat, bitter orange and hoodia have found these ingredients are likely unsafe. Some diet and weight loss products contain ingredients that could worsen or complicate existing medical conditions, such as breast cancer, diabetes and arthritis.
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