Weight loss is a universal concern these days and millions of people all over the world are trying to lose the unwanted pounds. Weight loss products can be found in every local store or supermarket, but how do you know which ones work? To start, you should understand the differences between the three most popular weight loss products available these days: diet pills, diet food plans and weight loss beverages. Here are three important questions to ask when evaluating which weight loss pills and diet food plans are best for you:
Do prescription and over-the-counter weight loss pills work? The FDA, which is responsible for regulating dietary supplements and cosmetics, has specific guidelines that determine how drugs, vitamins and other dietary aids are supposed to work and whether or not they are allowed to advertise as prescription medications. According to the FDA, dietary aids that are claimed to provide a cure or remedy for a disease must have a prescription from a doctor, and over-the-counter weight loss pills that claim to help you lose weight must have a prescription from your doctor as well.
Does each of these products have any clinical proof of effectiveness? A study conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that the majority of dietary supplements did not meet their claims of effectiveness. In one study, for example, researchers randomly assigned 6 groups of individuals to take one of four different brands of dietary supplements. After two years, only three of the group who had taken the placebo had shown a slight reduction in weight. This finding is pretty alarming, because no one knows, for sure, if the weight loss was caused by the supplement or not.
Are diet pills safe? They vary greatly in quality and safety. Diet supplements are generally considered to be safe when they are taken according to the directions and while there have been no reports of death by any of the diet pills, there have also been reports of allergic reactions and skin rashes. The best way to avoid this problem and purchase the right supplement is to do your homework. Research the ingredients and companies and talk with your doctor about how they might interact.
Can an over-the-counter weight loss pill alone help you lose weight? Many studies have shown that a diet supplement can play a significant role in weight loss. Some studies even suggest that a combination of a diet supplement and exercise can be as effective as just taking one product alone. An all review, for example, indicated that it can speed up your metabolism and may help fight depression.
Is an over-the-counter weight loss pill safe even when combined with other medications? Meratrim, a diabetes medication, was originally designed to be used in conjunction with other medications. When Meratrim was approved for use as an over-the-counter medication, one study was done to determine if meratrim was capable of causing its own side effects. The study showed that there were no serious side effects caused by taking meratrim together with limiting, a known diuretic; but meratrim users did report experiencing some slight nausea, especially after consuming large amounts. Other studies seem to indicate that meratrim is safe when used as directed; however, since it was never meant to be a substitute for medication, and since it does produce some side effects, its use may be limited.
How effective is green tea as a weight loss pill? A small study involving elderly Chinese people who were overweight showed that a combination of green tea and Hoodia with a meal suppressant significantly increased the amount of body fat they burned during a seven-day study period. The researchers concluded that the combination worked better than just green tea alone, but more research is needed to support this claim. One man in the study lost an incredible amount of weight, and another person lost a modest amount.
These two ingredients are the main ingredients found in Metabolic Maximizer, and they are also the main ingredients found in Alli. Both of these products are diet aids designed to help you lose weight faster than most mainstream diets can. While we don’t advocate using pills to help you lose weight, there are several diet pills that do have some measure of efficacy and have been proven to work, so use your common sense before making a decision.
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