Diet pills may seem like a good solution, but they carry significant side effects. Most diet pills, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, are only for those who are very overweight or obese, according to Teens Health. Due to the side effects associated with some diet pills, it's imperative that you do not take them without prior physician approval.
How Diet Pills Work
Depending upon the diet pill, it may help curb your appetite, block absorption of dietary fat or increase the number of calories that you burn. Mayo Clinic compiled a list of various weight-loss aids and rated most of them as either ineffective or possibly effective. Only one on the list stood out from the rest, proving that it works, and this same weight-loss aid -- Alli -- has approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Despite the effectiveness, or ineffectiveness, of weight-loss aids, Americans spend billions of dollars each year trying to lose weight.
Diet Pill Safety
Just about every diet pill on the market carries some sort of side effect. These may range from moderate to severe, and can affect all users differently. The most common side effects of diet pills are nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea and feelings of uneasiness or anxiousness. This is because diet pills work to speed up the processes within your body, to either quickly eliminate foods or to increase your metabolism. Alli, which blocks dietary fat absorption, causes sudden bursts of spontaneous diarrhea in almost every user, and the maker discloses this information in its warnings. If your physician approves of a weight-loss aid, talk to her about the possible side effects that may accompany a specific product. Even FDA-approved Alli has been the subject of investigation for reports of liver injury.
Dieting Without Diet Pills
Since diet pills may not be effective or only work for a short time, you may decide not to take them, especially considering the side effects. It is possible to lose weight without spending a single penny on weight-loss pills. You can lose weight by decreasing the amount of calories you consume and by changing the types of foods that you eat. To lose one pound of fat per week, you would need to consume 500 less calories each day. The type of food that you eat can also make a significant difference in your diet. A typical candy bar contains around 300 calories, and this is an empty calorie food because it really doesn't offer any nutritional value. You can use those same 300 calories eating a healthy side salad with light dressing and plenty of veggies, and receive plenty of vitamins and nourishment.
Exercise
It's not just about eating less to lose weight, exercise is important, too. Exercising can burn calories and fat, which can help lower your weight. Losing weight by eating healthy and exercising can help keep the weight off longer because you build muscle when you exercise and you're developing a healthier routine that you're more likely to continue.
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