In the United States, 8 out of 10 adults aged 25 or older are overweight or obese. This fact fuels an industry dedicated to creating weight loss products that may or may not work. Partnership Capital Growth reports the herbal supplement industry sold nearly $900 million in 2009, and the weight loss industry as a whole captured a revenue of nearly $60 billion in the same year. While herbal diet pills utilize medicinal plants with compounds that may promote weight loss, these pills may not be as safe as advertised.
Increased Heart Rate
A common ingredient within herbal diet pills is bitter orange. This herb rose to fame after ephedrine was outlawed by the Food and Drug Administration due to dangerous side effects. Side effects of herbal diet pills with this ingredient include increased heart rate and even strokes. These side effects are due to the active compounds, ocotopamine and synephrine. Other potential side effects of an herbal diet pill with this ingredient include increased blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms. Other ingredients such as guarana or caffeine may increase heart rate and carry adverse cardiovascular system side effects due to its stimulating effects.
Anxiety or Restlessness
Herbal diet pills with stimulant ingredients such as guarana, bitter orange or caffeine are known to cause anxiety or generalized restlessness. The cause of such side effects is due to the ingredients ability to stimulate the nervous system. Those with a history of anxiety or a nervous disorder should be extremely cautious when consuming stimulating herbal diet pills, as the ingredients may exasperate pre-existing anxiety disorders. This is especially true for herbal diet pills with guarana as an active ingredient.
Medication Interactions
Those consuming prescription over-the-counter medications for an ailment must be extremely selective regarding the use of herbal diet pills. MayoClinic.com states herbal diet pills may cause adverse side effects when taken with other medications. Depending on the ingredients found within the diet pills, a combination of diet pill and medication may cause adverse cardiovascular effects or prevent the body from properly absorbing the medication. Prior to taking any herbal weight loss supplement, it is vital you discuss the supplement and its ingredients with your physician.
Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Gastrointestinal discomfort is a common side effect of herbal diet pills with ingredients that block the absorption of fat, such as the herb guar gum or chitosan. These side effects may include nausea, excess flatulence, anal leakage, diarrhea and general intestinal discomfort.
References
- Get America Fit Foundation: Obesity Related Statistics in America
- Partnership Capital Growth: Market Statistics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Bitter Orange; July 2010
- Mayo Clinic; Herbal Supplements: What to Know Before You Buy; November 2009
- Mayo Clinic; Over-the-Counter Weight-Loss Pills: Do They Work?; February 2011
- Drugs.com; Guarana; January 2011
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