Betahistine & Weight Loss

Betahistine is an oral histamine precursor that has been used to treat balance disorders in Europe, but has also begun to be used as a weight-loss drug. The drug does not stay in your system long -- it is excreted in the urine within 24 hours -- but there is some controversy as to its effectiveness both as a weight-loss drug and in its traditional role. There are a variety of side effects, and because it works directly on organs not associated with weight loss, there are safety concerns about using this drug in patients without balance disorders.

Traditional Uses

Betahistamine is the traditional treatment for Meniere's disease and other balance-related disorders like vertigo. A lifelong medication, betahistamine works directly with the organs in the inner and middle ear that are associated with balance by increasing the dilation of the blood vessels and passageways that control the movement of fluid within the balance centers. This allows the ear's system of "weights and pulleys" to better register the body's position in space, reducing dizziness.

Connection to Weight Loss

According to Science Daily, betahistine became associated with weight loss in 2007, when a doctor at Tel Aviv University took advantage of the drug's weight-loss side effect to develop a commercial diet pill based on the drug. Betahistine is thought to block certain receptors in the brain that control feelings of satiety and fat cravings, and the commercial diet formula was designed to help reduce the appetite and stop cravings in dieters.

Research

A 2010 study by the American Society for Nutrition conducted a study using women with a body mass index of 30 to 39.99, which is considered obese. They administered a betahistamine pill to each woman then observed the participants' behaviors at a buffet meal to measure hunger, satiety and desire to eat. After the results were adjusted to compensate for age, body composition and food preferences, betahistamine was found not to have an effect on the participants' appetites or food intake. On the other hand, the Science Daily article mentions clinical trials in which participants lost 2.91 percent of their body weight over 12 weeks as opposed to 0.4 percent with a placebo. While the research is contradictory, it is clear that more investigation is needed into betahistamine as a weight-loss drug.

Safety

The side effects of betahistamine include upset stomach and headache, and the drug has the potential to react with certain medications including antihistamines and histamine blockers. Consult your doctor before trying any betahistamine-based diet pill, especially if you have allergies, ulcers or asthma.

Alternative

Instead of searching for a "magic pill" that makes the pounds melt away, get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the weeks and learn proper portion control. Use an online calorie calculator to find out how many calories you should eat every day based on your age, weight and activity level. Avoid refined carbs and processed foods and choose fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein instead. If you change your lifestyle rather than go on a diet, the weight is more likely to stay off. Diets end, but good habits can last forever.