Losing weight with diet pills and carb blockers can cause side effects, according to the Food and Drug Administration. However, side effects are typically experienced by a small percentage of users. The efficacy and ingredients of prescription diet pills are more reliable than over-the-counter dietary supplements for weight loss because they must gain approval from the FDA before marketing. Contact your health professional before taking diet pills or carb blockers and reduce your chances of side effects and adverse reactions.
Diet Pills
Prescription appetite suppressants can cause side effects including sleeplessness, nervousness and an increased heart rate. Drugs that inhibit the digestion of fats can cause cramping, oily spotting and rare cases of severe liver damage. The Food and Drug Administration warns consumers, dietary supplements for weight loss may contain hidden ingredients not listed on the label. You may experience side effects from listed and unlisted ingredients. According to two studies presented at the International Congress on Obesity in Stockholm in 2010, many natural diet pills don't work, including bitter orange, guarana seed powder, guar gum and chromium picolinate.
Carb Blockers
Alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are popularly known as carb blockers. These compounds occur naturally in plants including white and mung beans. Alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase are stomach enzymes that help digest carbohydrates, turning them into glucose. Carb blockers block the enzymes from breaking down the carbs, so you excrete rather than digest them.
Acarbose
Acarbose is a prescription carb blocker typically prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes. Acarbose can have an adverse reaction with certain health conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, cirrhosis of the liver or an ulcer. Acarbose can cause hypoglycemia when taken with insulin, which produces symptoms including confusion, weakness and a fast heartbeat. Less serious side effects include gas, a mild skin rash or diarrhea. More serious side effects include jaundice, stomach pain, clay-colored stools and a low fever. The frequency and intensity of the side effects typically diminish with time. If you have side effects to your medication, contact a health care professional.
White Beans
An carb blocker derived from white beans produces weight loss, according to a scientific review by Medicus Research in California and reported in the March 2011 issue of "Nutrition Journal." The study examined a popular brand of carb blocker containing alpha-amylase inhibitors. The subjects took 500 to 3,000 mg per day in single and divided doses. The researchers found some subjects experienced gastrointestinal side effects, but this was rare and became more moderate with continued use. The subjects did not report any serious side effects.
References
- Drugs.com: Precose
- "Nutrition Journal"; A Proprietary Alpha-Amylase Inhibitor from White Bean ( Phaseolus Vulgaris): A Review of Clinical Studies on Weight Loss and Glycemic Control; M.L. Barrett, et al.; March 2011
- Medline Plus; Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors;
- Weight-Control Information Network; Prescription Medicaitons for the Treatment of Obesity; December 2010
- Food and Drug Administration; Beware of Fraudulent 'Dietary Supplements'; March 15, 2011
- EurekAlert!; New Research Finds No Evidence That Popular Slimming Supplements Facilitate Weight Loss; July 12, 2010
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