Nov 9, 2010 Tamara Laschinsky
Understanding how to naturally lose weight helps. - bethography - melting mama
Every year, millions of people look for ways to lose weight. There are hundreds of promised “miracle” pills and natural ways to lose weight, though many of them have not been tested or proven to be safe or effective methods for weight loss. These dietary supplements may potentially cause adverse health effects and you should always research any products you are thinking of taking for weight loss. Obesity is a growing problem in society and leads to many health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Using Weight Loss Prescription Drugs and Pills to Help You Lose Weight
According to the Mayo Clinic, some drugs and pills can assist you with your weight loss goals. They are not recommended for everyone, but your doctor may recommend weight loss pills if you have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 or if your BMI is greater than 27 and you have medical conditions like with obesity, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
These drugs work with a low-calorie diet and exercise to help you lose anywhere from five to 10 percent of your total body weight in a year. Once these medications are stopped, you are likely to regain much of the weight you lost.
Using Herbal Diet Pills for Weight Loss
Diet pills are a big market and contain a mixture of herbs and other additives aimed at helping you lose weight. Many of these pills are not tested for effectiveness or safety, since dietary supplements are not regulated the same way as prescription drugs are.
Some common weight loss pills with the claims and safety warnings are:
- Alli: Decrease absorption of body fat; FDA investigating liver injury reports
- Bitter Orange: Increase calories burned; possibly unsafe
- Chitosan: Blocks absorption of dietary fat; possibly unsafe
- Chromium: Increases calories burned, decreases appetite and builds muscle; likely safe
- Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): Reduce body fat, builds muscle; possibly safe
- Country mallow (heartleaf): Decrease appetite, burns calories; Unsafe and banned by FDA
- Ephedra: Decrease appetite; unsafe and banned by FDA
- Green tea extract: Increase calorie and fat metabolism, decrease appetite; possibly safe
- Guar Gum: Blocks absorption of dietary fat and increase full feeling; likely safe
- Hoodia: Decreases appetite; Not enough information
Be sure to investigate the pills or herbal remedies you are considering taking. Ask your doctor or pharmacist and check the FDA's website to see if the product or ingredients has any warnings or sketchy history attached to it.
Focus on Diet and Exercise for Natural Healthy Weight Loss
In order to lose weight, you must create an energy deficit; this is done by burning off more calories than you consume. Your body requires a certain amount of energy for daily functions including growing, circulating blood, food processing and physical activity. The basal metabolic rate will account for 60 percent to 75 percent of the calories you burn every day. The remainder of calories your consume that are not burned off by your body naturally, will need to be burned off through exercise in order to lose weight.
Your metabolism is influenced by factors such as your body size, your sex and your age. It is a natural process and will balance itself to meet your specific needs. Starvation diets do not work for weight loss, as they only cause your metabolism to slow down and conserve calories for your survival.
By incorporating a low-calorie diet into your routine and following an exercise schedule that helps to burn off extra calories, you are losing weight the healthy way and without risk to damaging your body’s organs and functions.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
References:
MayoClinic.com. “Weight –loss drugs: Can a prescription help you lose weight?” (accessed November 9, 2010)
MayoClinic.com. “Over-the-counter weight-loss pills: Do they work?” (accessed November 9, 2010)
MayoClinic.com. “Metabolism and weight loss: How you burn calories” (accessed November 9, 2010)
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