It’s very common to hear the term “magic pill” when talking about weight loss. The truth is, a magic pill just doesn’t exist to make the weight fall off without any effort. Which usually begs the question, do weight loss pills work in any way shape or form? Do they really have the nasty side effects that people usually talk about? Should you start taking weight loss pills?
Popular Diet Pills
The diet pill industry is one that keeps booming year after year. It makes sense that people want to try them – after all, it can be a slow process losing weight even if you do put the effort in to get more physically active and to improve your diet.
Among recent additions to the diet pill family include hoodia, bitter orange, saffron extract, green coffee bean extract, and so much more. However, it’s important to know that these pills are mostly unregulated by the FDA, as they are not drugs but supplements. Because of this, it’s important to be cautious when attempting diet pills as a weight loss solution. There are only a few weight loss pills that are given the green light by the medical community, examples being Alli and Xenical.
Do Diet Pills Work, and Are There Side Effects?
A majority of diet pills are not backed up by studies, and any “evidence” they claim is usually rhetorical or anecdotal. Many consumers report no change in weight or appetite by taking weight loss pills, though they may work for a small percentage of users.
Fat absorption inhibitors like Alli do help reduce the amount of fat that the body absorbs, but usually at the price of side effects like gassiness, stomach cramps, loose stool, bowel incontinence, and so on. Even other forms of diet pills can result in side effects like insomnia, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
In severe cases, especially with unregulated diet pills where you just don’t know what’s in them, side effects can include cardiac problems and even death.
Long-term Effects of Weight Loss Pills
When taken long-term, weight loss pills can cause a lot of harm in the form of heart conditions, pill addiction, hypertension and a host of other health problems. Therefore, it is best to avoid taking them at all. In fact, stick to the healthy and natural way to lose weight, which is with a low-calorie diet and plenty of physical activity.
There really is no such thing as a magic pill, and the sooner you get rid of that notion, the better. Keep your money in your wallet and use it to buy wholesome healthy foods and practical exercise equipment instead. At least with a proper diet and exercise, you will really lose weight and be able to keep it off long-term too!
