Read today’s News-Press column: Diet pills, supplements may cause side effects
Consumers looking for a quick fix for losing weight are often tempted by fad diets including pills and supplements. While these may seem appealing, there are no shortcuts to weight loss. With diet pills and supplements available by prescription and over-the-counter, consumers should understand the products and potential side effects and weigh the advantages against the possible dangers.
Diet pills and supplements are designed to suppress the appetite so you will consume fewer calories. However, as you reduce your caloric intake, your metabolism also slows down. As your metabolism slows, the amount of weight you lose also slows down.
This is why it is common for people to lose only a certain amount of weight while taking diet pills alone. It is not a long-term solution, and the side effects can be serious.
Headaches, nausea and insomnia are some of the more common side effects of diet pills and supplements. Through the Food and Drug Administration, consumers have reported elevated blood pressure due to the over-consumption of diet pills.
In some serious cases, diet pills cause heart attacks and can be responsible for heart failure.
When considering diet pills or supplements, consumers should check the label for approval of the FDA. Diet pills can be habit-forming and abuse of these drugs may lead to dependence.
Before taking any prescription or non-prescription diet pill, you should find out if they are habit-forming and what signs you should look out for to alert you to this problem.
Discuss your weight loss strategy with your physician or a registered dietitian, who can help you set goals and create a long-term weight loss plan that is safe and effective. By making lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, nutrition changes and regular health checkups, you can greatly increase your weight loss success.
- Elaine Hastings is a registered dietitian and owner of Associates in Nutrition Therapy in Fort Myers. Contact her at AssociatesinNutrition.com or Elaine@eatrightRD.com.
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