Obesity and unhealthy weight affect more than 2/3 of all adults living in the United States, according to a 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. With so many American struggling to lose weight, the demand for health supplements that boost metabolism and stimulate weight loss is very high. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill that can boost your metabolism and stimulate long-term weight loss.
Weight Loss Supplements
There are no supplements that will cause long-term increases in your metabolism, reports KidsHealth.org. Many supplements contain stimulants, such as caffeine, ephedrine or dextromethorphan that may temporarily increase your metabolism and suppress your appetite, but the effect is short-lived and unlikely to result in long-term weight loss, explains MayoClinic.com.
Other Chemicals
In addition to not boosting your metabolism, many over-the-counter diet pills contain chemicals that are either untested or should only be used with a prescription and the close supervision of a doctor, warns the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. Because over-the-counter health supplements are not regulated by the FDA, these supplements can contain dangerous chemicals not listed on the label. The supplements that guarantee rapid weight loss with all-natural herbal additives are most likely to contain dangerous chemicals, according to the FDA.
Risks of Diet Pills
Stimulants in diet pills can cause a variety of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and rapid heartbeat, the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs advises. Confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, disorientation and blurred vision are also possible. Physical coordination and balance may become impaired, andyou may develop burning or tingling sensation in the fingers and toes. In extreme cases, the powerful drugs in weight loss pills can cause death, warns the Food and Drug Administration.
Healthy Ways to Boost Your Metabolism
Your metabolic rate is determined by a complex combination of factors. While your genes play a role in setting your metabolic rate, there are steps you can take to safely increase your metabolism. Exercise is a well-known method to boost your metabolism. Aerobic exercise increases your metabolism while you are exercising and for several hours afterwards, explains Illinois State University. Additionally, exercise that increases your muscle mass increases your metabolism, because muscle continually burns high levels of calories. Another factor that contributes to metabolism is how often you eat. Eating smaller meals consistently throughout the day keeps your metabolism high. When you do not eat for a long time, your body slows down its metabolism in order to conserve energy.
References
- Illinois State University Maximize Your Metabolism
- KidsHealth.org: How Can I Speed Up My Metabolism; Mary L. Gavin; March 2011
- California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs: Over the Counter Drugs
- Weight-control Information Network: Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Beware of Fraudulent Weight-Loss 'Dietary Supplements'; March 2011
- MayoClinic.com: Does caffeine help with weight loss?; Katherine Zeratsky; May 2011
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