Taking supplements for weight loss may be hazardous to your health, especially if you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, or hypertension. This condition is the most common reason women seek medical treatment. It can increase the risk of conditions such as heart disease and stroke and becomes worse if you're carrying around extra pounds. Weight loss can improve hypertension, but seek advice from your doctor before taking pills to achieve your weight-loss goals.
Fiber Pills
A high-fiber diet is linked to both lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of becoming overweight. However, if you're like most Americans, you're not getting enough fiber in your diet. Women need at least 20 g of fiber daily, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. You can supplement your intake by taking a fiber pill, such as psyllium. However, consult your doctor before taking a fiber supplement. Also, you should drink lots of water when increasing fiber in your diet to prevent side effects such as gas, constipation and abdominal cramps.
Starch Blockers
These pills may aid weight loss by inhibiting an enzyme involved in the digestion of carbohydrates. As a result, some of the carbohydrates may pass through your body undigested, reducing the amount of calories you absorb from them. Also, by slowing carbohydrate metabolism, starch blockers stabilize levels of blood glucose and insulin, a hormone that can promote fat storage in your body. Starch blockers also help to lower blood pressure. Consult your doctor before taking these diet pills.
Considerations
Although fiber and starch-blocking diet pills might be beneficial if you have high blood pressure, it's better to get the ingredients in these pills from foods. For instance, fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber and other health-boosting nutrients, but low in calories. White beans, from which starch-blockers get their primary ingredient, are packed with protein, fiber, calcium and potassium. Also, taking diet pills that lower blood pressure if you are taking antihypertensive medications as well can be dangerous.
The DASH Diet and Weight Loss
Following the DASH --- Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension --- diet is another key recommendation for people with high blood pressure. However, the guidelines in this diet can also be beneficial for helping you to lose weight, which is no surprise considering that being overweight or obese increases your risk of becoming hypertensive. Primary features of this diet include consuming a diet low in fat --- especially saturated fats --- refined carbohydrates, red meat and sodium. The diet emphasizes consuming fruits, veggies, fish, poultry, whole-grain foods and nuts.
References
- "Prescription for Natural Cures"; James F. Balch, M.D. et al.; 2011
- MayoClinic.com: Dietary Fiber: Essential For A Healthy Diet
- NYU Langone Medical Center; Natural and Alternative Treatment Study Report: Starch Blockers From White Kidney Bean, a Viable Weight-loss Aid?; Steve Bratman, M.D.
- "The 200 Superfoods that Will Save Your Life"; Deborah A. Klein, M.S., R.D.; 2010
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: "Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH"
- Harvard School of Public Health: Fiber
