How Effective and Safe are Diet Pills?

It is estimated that only about $6 billion, among a stated $50 billion, are being spent by Americans annually on weight loss products that are ineffective and fraudulent. For those with obesity and weight issues, the vast array of diet pills in the market is really very enticing. Frustration after frustration has led to more desperate measures. There are people who claim how a certain diet strategy or pill made them lose those unwanted fats. Of course, there are also those, amidst painstaking efforts, are still bothered by their severe weight problem.

These weight loss strategies do not work for everyone. This goes with the saying that we are not all born alike. With the advent of diet pills, especially if it can be bought over-the-counter, it has become very irresistible.

There have been studies about different variations of diet pills in the worldwide market. You may find it quite rare to find these researches put together for comparison. In fact, most of these researches have become compromised for marketing purposes. Even so, there is still accurate information and research accessible to help you determine which diet pill may work for you.

Reviewing and Comparing Weight Loss Supplements

Comparing different products and active ingredients for weight loss drugs will help you decide which diet pill to purchase. This will not only save you a hefty sum of money, it will also help you determine which pill actually works. Be careful of the products you buy in the market. Some of the products have been proven as not just ineffective, it is very dangerous also.

The current leading diet pills in the market would be the Proactol, Xenical and Alli Diet Pills.

Proactol

Proactol is a clinically proven fat binder. It is actually new in the open market. It has been stated as very safe and effective. There has been no clinically known side effect reported during and after using this pill. It works by binding up to about 28% of your actual fat intake.

A patented fiber complex is its active ingredient. This is actually from an Opuntia ficus-indica cactus which consists of two fibers. This would be a soluble and a non-soluble fiber.

It is the non-soluble fiber that binds with dietary fat through a fluid gel. This makes it impossible for the fats to be absorbed by the body. As an end result, these body fats will just pass through your body just like any of your bodily waste.

As the soluble fibers connect with your bile acids, it will eventually form a viscous solution. This solution will slow down the digestion process and glucose absorption. This will make you feel that you are already full and not hungry for a period of time. This proves that proactol decreases food cravings and lowers the absorption of cholesterol.

Its efficacies also include the reduction of calorie intake, suppression of appetite and the improvement of obesity-related risk factors. For its side effect, the only reported complaint would be a slight change in stool consistency.

Proactol is actually verified as a proven medical device. It has CE approval for actual weight management. This approval can only be awarded once the product has undergone a very strict regulatory testing. What this means to you is that Proactol is that you are guaranteed of its safeness and affectivity.

Xenical

Xenical is categorized as a Prescription Lipase Inhibitor. It has been used as a weight loss aid for years now. It actually uses Orlistat, known to inhibit lipases in the digestive tract.

Xenical works by interfering with the lipase activity that serves as a tool to break down the fats and have it absorbed easily by the body. This is why some of the dietary fats pass through your body undigested. Studies actually show that Xenical inhibits the Absorption of dietary fat by around 30%.

It is also stated that Xenical reduces the risks caused by obesity. This would include high blood cholesterol, high blood sugar level and high blood pressure.

Regarding its side effects, there have been reports experienced by some users of Xenical. Most of the common instances would be from users who do not keep their supposed diet. These would be oily or fatty stools, gas eruptions with unwanted fecal discharge, and incontinence or fecal urgency.

The thing is – these side effects are amplified when you eat more fat. Other side effects include vitamin deficiency, flatulency, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea and back pain among others.

Xenical is a prescription drug that aids in the long term treatment of clinical obesity. It is actually proven to be effective. Although there has not been any report of any major problem resulting to the use of Xenical, it is still advisable to consult your doctor before taking this pill.

Alli

Alli is a new OTC pill for diet and weight loss. It is the reduced and over-the-counter version of the above mentioned Prescription Lipase Inhibitor, Xenical. Although it is a similar version of Xenical, an approved weight reduction program is essential while taking this pill. You need to still have an exercise program, low fat and low calorie diet during your use of Alli.

Its efficacies include a 25% reduction of fat intake and it has improved risk factors that are obesity-related. Regarding its side effects, it is very much similar to the side effects mentioned in Xenical. This is because both Xenical and Alli have the same active ingredient – Orlistat.

You can minimize these side effects by taking multivitamins and beta carotene religiously once a day. You also need to lessen your calorie intake to about 1200-1800 everyday. The average fat intake you need per meal would only be about 15 grams.

Alli is proven to be somewhat effective and safe. There are reports that there are several criticisms about the over-the-counter approval of Alli in the market. Since it can easily be bought, its use can also be easily abused. There are still research and study being conducted to verify if Alli can possibly cause precancerous colon lesions.

Weight Loss Pills/Ingredients that are reported to Cause Serious and Dangerous Side Effects

Ephedra

A variety of weight loss pills have its similar active ingredient. It is regarded as a stimulant that suppresses appetite. Ever since it was introduced in the market last 1990, it has received a lot of FDA warnings.

Since it consists of amphetamine-like compounds, studies have shown that it can cause a powerful effect on your nervous system. It’s very alarming because of the danger it can give to your heart. Ephedra may cause rapid or irregular heart contractions. There are those who complained of other bizarre psychological side effects. These include insomnia and depression among others.

Make sure you exert all precautionary measures when you take Ephedra, especially if you are taking other drugs or stimulants with it. It is also proven that once it is taken with caffeine or other herbal supplements, it can stimulate your central nervous system to a life-threatening extent.

Ephedra may have shown results of weight loss, but the dangers its side effects possess do not validate any reason to use this product.

Phentermine

Phentermine is said to be similar to amphetamines. Although it is a prescription drug, it is a sad fact that it is available through the internet even in greater strengths and doses.

Phentermine works through your central nervous system (inside your brain). It actually suppresses your appetite and increases the amount of your adrenaline.

It has been proven to be effective, especially for short term use. Experts still believe that it can be a good ingredient for short term weight loss regimens. This is because of its side effects such as insomnia, blurred vision, chest pain and rapid heart beats. These are only mild side effects but can be amplified when the product is used for a long period.

It is advisable you only purchase this through a prescription. That is once you have consulted with your doctor. For your safety, never purchase this though online avenues.

Weight Loss Pills/Ingredients that are proven to be Ineffective (Still Lacks Proof of its Effectiveness)

Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA

Many fat burning pills have this as their active ingredient. It is actually a fatty-like acid. It was produced inside the gut of some mammals, plants and maybe even humans. It works by transporting, metabolizing and storing the fats effectively.

There have been no reports that this product has major negative side effects but it has only been tested on animals. For tests done on some humans, there was a variety of results. There are still those that loss weight lost only a few pounds and there are even those that found their weight increasing instead.

It is currently advisable to avoid this product until further reports that claim it is safe for human use.

Chitosan

Chitosan was discovered inside the skeleton of a few marine animals. Sellers of this product, of course, will tell you about its effectiveness to block fat and help you lose weight. It is a sad fact that there is only limited evidence to prove Chitosan’s effectiveness.

Like CLA, the testing of Chitosan, has only been done on animals. Test results for these animals did not actually show that Chitosan is capable of reducing your weight. The only thing clear on the test results was the fact that Chitosan can reduce cholesterol.

Weight Loss Pills/Ingredients that are Proven to be Fraudulent Products

Hoodia

Hoodia is found in the South African deserts. It grows there and resembles a cactus plant. Only one type of Hoodia is being sold. It is called Hoodia Gordonii and contains a P57 chemical. This P57 chemical functions by instructing the hypothalamus part of the brain that your body is already full. You will not feel hungry for a period of time.

Since it does not contain amphetamines, like the two above mentioned suppressants, it will not affect your central nervous system.

One problem with Hoodia is the fact that it is expensive and very difficult to harvest. Removing the P57 is a very tedious task. Another problem would be the unwanted effects it has on the liver.

Hoodia is currently highly demanded. This is why there are already reports of manufacturers producing fraudulent Hoodia drugs. They would either be contaminated or counterfeit.

P57 has been stated as effective on tests done on animals but no evidence has been stated that it actually works on humans. Hence, because of Hoodia product’s fraudulent manufacturers, consumers know better than to risk purchasing a dangerous product. It is good that they just look for other alternative products instead.

Tagged as: Alli, Alli Diet Pill, Diet Pills