5 Things you Need to Know About the Dangers of Diet Pills

1. Diet Pills Increase the Risk of Vitamin Deficiencies

Several essential vitamins, namely A, D, E, and K, are fat soluble, meaning they are digested with fat and stored in your liver and body fat. One of the dangers of diet pills that block the absorption of fat is that these important vitamins can be shed from the body rather than utilized. Instead of using or storing the vitamins, your body treats them as waste along with the fat being attacked by the diet pills.

2. Diet Pills to Block Fat Absorption Cause Digestion Problems

Proper digestion is essential for optimal health, and anything that compromises your digestion compromises your overall health. Fat-blocking diet pills can cause oily stools, flatulence with discharge, loose stools, pain in the digestive area and other equally uncomfortable, unhealthy and frankly, gross side effects. So much for the sexy diet pill ads--you won't feel sexy dealing with the digestive difficulties they cause.

3. Many Diet Pills Are Unregulated

One of the dangers of diet pills is that many hit the shelves without any oversight from the FDA. Often, diet pills sold as health supplements are completely unregulated, except for some oversight and restrictions on their advertising claims. In fact, several diet drugs have been recalled and pulled form the shelves after consumers' adverse effects created an uproar. Problems aren't limited to diet pills in the United States, either. One diet pill in Asia,
"Slim 10," caused the deaths and serious illness of several women before it was recalled.

4. Know the Scary Side Effects

Side effects from diet pills are enough to make you think twice, or run in horror. Diet pills, depending on the type and list of ingredients, can cause heart problems, high blood pressure, liver problems, organ damage, headaches, nausea, increased heart rate, breathing problems, anxiety, restlessness, addiction to the supplement and stomach pain. When the side effects are worse than the problem the medicine is intended to solve, think twice before taking it.

5. Many Diet Pills Don't Cause Weight Loss

Many diet pills don't even live up to their claims to help you shed the pounds. According to Mayo Clinic, Chitosan, Chromium and Hoodia are among those listed as "unlikely to cause weight loss" or not having substantial evidence to support the claims. Some herbal diet pills are harmless (no side effects) but pointless (don't cause weight loss). You're better off spending your money on good nutrition and fitness gear.