Several types of weight control pills are available in neighborhood stores and over the Internet. Ephedra, also called ma-huang, is chemically similar to methamphetamine. It is an appetite suppressant, but it is not clear that it actually causes weight loss. It was banned for sale by the FDA in 2004, but it may still be available as at tea and on the Internet. Country mallow, which also decreases appetite, contains ephedra. Hoodia is another product promoted as an appetite-killer. Bitter orange supposedly increases your calorie burn, and it has been called a substitute for ephedra. Pyruvate is also said to boost metabolism and diminish appetite. Guar gum blocks the absorption of fat from the food you eat and leaves you with a feeling of fullness after meals. Pills of green tea extract are said to increase calorie- and fat-burning and may also decrease your appetite. 7-keto DHEA and hydroxycitric acid (HCA) also increase metabolism. Chitosan is made from the skeletons of shellfish. It is reputed to block fat absorption from the food you eat. Glucomannan apparently slows the absorption of sugar from the intestines. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is purported to reduce body fat, decrease appetite and build muscle. Chromium may work with insulin to burn more carbs.
Several weight control pills are primarily diuretics and may cause weight loss that is primarily water. Dandelion and guarana are diuretics. Other substances, including cascara and aloe, may act as laxatives and cause some weight loss that way. Guarana is also a stimulant and contains quite a bit of caffeine. Both its diuretic action and caffeine content are reputed to cause weight loss. Yerba mate is also a stimulant.
What to Look for
You want to find a weight-loss pill that is both safe and effective. The down side of many of the over-the-counter products listed here is that there isn't much objective, overwhelming evidence of effectiveness.
When purchasing one of these products, avoid those that don't list all of the ingredients and that fail to list the amount of each in ingredient. Most recent research suggests the following dosing advice: 7-keto DHEA, 100 mg twice a day; green tea, 375 mg of catechins that includes 270 mg of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG); HCA, 500 mg 3 to 4 times a day; pyruvate, 3 to 5 g per day.
Common Pitfalls
Ephedra was banned by the FDA because it has been linked to increases in blood pressure, heart rate problems, seizures, heart attacks and strokes. Diuretics and laxatives may cause a small weight loss, but you generally put this weight back on. Bitter orange may increase heart rate and blood pressure to a dangerous degree. Don't use it with other stimulants. Components of bitter orange have been banned by some athletic associations. Green tea contains lots of caffeine. Pyruvate, guar gum, aloe, glucomannan and other products may cause abdominal discomfort or even obstruction. Nearly all over-the-counter weight loss products have the potential to interact with other medications. Mention your use of these products to your doctor or pharmacist.
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