The World Health Organization notes that more than 1 billion people are overweight worldwide. Some of these adults will turn to weight loss pills to try to get the pounds off. However, it is important to consider some important facts about these pills before relying on them to help you shed the pounds.
Types
Over-the-counter weight loss pills may have one or more active ingredients that the manufacturer claims aids weight loss. Chitosan, orlistat, bitter orange, green tea extract, chromium, conjugated linoleic acid, guarana, St. John's wort, spirulina and hoodia are some of the possible active ingredients.
Function
Active ingredients in over-the-counter weight loss pills claim to work in a variety of ways. Orlistat, guar gum and chitosan, for example, claim to block the absorption of fat by the body; however, only orlistat has been proven to do so. Green tea extract is said to increase the metabolism and decrease appetite. Conjugated linoleic acid is thought to build lean muscle and burn fat. While some of these ingredients may be effective, most have only limited studies to back up the claims.
Side Effects
The possible side effects of over-the-counter diet pills range from minor annoyances to major health concerns. Liver injury, blood clotting disorders, gas, bloating, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, insomnia, allergic reaction, headaches, memory loss, gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea are some of the possible side effects of these products. In some cases, an increased risk of heart disease may result from taking these pills. Because these pills are marketed as dietary supplements, they aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration unless reports of significant health concerns are raised about the safety of the ingredients. For example, ephedra and country mallow were once used in weight loss pills, but both are now banned in the United States.
Concerns
If you do decide to start taking over-the-counter weight loss supplements, you should first check with your doctor to ensure that you don't have any medical conditions that will be affected by the product you are planning on taking. Weight loss pills can also affect how certain medications work, so be sure that your doctor knows what prescription and over-the-counter medications you take when you are discussing diet pills.
Considerations
Regardless of the over-the-counter weight loss pill you choose to take, you will have to eat a healthy low-calorie diet and exercise on a regular basis if you want to lose weight at a healthy rate and keep it off once you stop taking the pills. While pills may help you lose weight, they aren't a magic fix that is effective without learning to live a healthy lifestyle.
Warnings
When you buy over-the-counter weight loss pills, be sure they are from a reputable manufacturer. Counterfeit orlistat pills and other diet pills have been reported to contain unsafe ingredients.
References
- World Health Organization: Obesity and Overweight
- MayoClinic.com: Over-the-Counter Weight Loss Pills: Do They Work?
- Colorado State University Extenstion: Weight Loss Products and Programs
- NutrIngredients-USA.com: FDA Warns Against "Misleading" Weight Loss Pills
- Food and Drug Administration: More Weight Loss Products Added to Consumer Alert
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