You will see advertisements for weight loss supplements on television, on the internet and as you drive by any health food store in your neighborhood. There are various weight loss supplements on the market, and there are many ingredients featured in these pills. The ingredients may help your body shed pounds, but they may also have a variety of side effects. The healthiest way to lose weight is to eat right and exercise. Always consult your physician before using supplements in a weight loss program.
Chromium Picolinate
Companies that sell pills containing chromium picolinate claim that this supplement helps your body increase lean muscle mass and decrease body fat. This chemical compound helps your body increase the efficiency of insulin, which results in weight loss along with several other health benefits. Chromium picolinate supplements may also improve your mood, increase your energy and prevent acne. These claims are not supported with proven scientific evidence. The side effects of this supplement include constipation and gas.
Guarana
This drug contains a large amount of caffeine. Guarana can help your body lose weight by speeding up your heart rate, which helps speed up your metabolism. While you may drop pounds with a supplement containing guarana, the FDA has not evaluated this drug for safety. If you have heart problems, an overactive thyroid, kidney disease or anxiety, you should not take a supplement with guarana. Guarana may lead to nervousness, anxiety and irritability.
Pyruvate
The distributors of weight loss pills that contain pyruvate make several claims for this supplement, including weight loss, improved endurance in workouts, cholesterol reduction and antioxidant benefits. According to William R. Sukala, clinical exercise physiologist and consumer health advocate, these claims are not based on conclusive evidence. According to Sukala, pyruvate does increase fat loss and weight loss, but not as much as claimed by marketers of the drug. Diet pill companies claim this drug increases fat loss by 48 percent but in reality, 23 percent is more accurate.
Ephedra
Ephedra, or ma huang, is no longer a legal weight loss ingredient in the United States, but some pills may still contain this drug, especially if they come from overseas. Since 2005, the sale of supplements containing ephedra has been banned in the U.S. because of safety risks including heart attack, stroke and death. This drug received national attention in 2003 when a Major League Baseball player died after taking the pill and exercising in hot weather. Many weight loss supplements are labeled "ephedra free." Read the ingredients carefully on any diet pill to make sure it does not contain ephedra or ma huang.
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