Weight Loss Pills & Drugs
May 26, 2008
Worldwide statistics are highlighting the growing problem of obesity; in addition to these fears shown by health organizations, is the fact that obesity is affecting younger people. The patient ones have to decide to face this problem by adjusting their diet and taking more exercise but the impatient ones usually decide on surgery. Another group prefers the use of weight loss programs to aid them in losing weight so that results can be seen more quickly.
The drugs work by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain, making it believe that the stomach is already full, thereby, increasing the person’s metabolic rate. It was only after scientists discovered that these drugs had side effects and were related to heart valve disease that they were taken off the shelves. Of course the manufacturers did not give up that easily and new drugs were created, these drugs are still being prescribed even though the Federal Drug Administration has not yet approved them.
Most people have known friends or family members who have tried using diet pills and have seen tremendous improvement. This is obviously a very tempting prospect, to lose weight whilst eating the same diet. This approach has seen consumers spend millions of dollars every year and has generated huge profits for the drug companies who manufacture and sell the weight loss drug.
Weight control pills can be purchased either over-the-counter or prescribed by a doctor but even with the advances in medical technology they can still cause a lot of health related problems which can be unpleasant such as diarrhea and vomiting. You must check the packet carefully before you decide to use them because some of the other side effects can be even more harmful, like the possibility of a heart attack or even a stroke, with hallucinations, tremors, breathing problems and convulsions all recorded as side effects for users of these drugs.
Of course, many factors can affect the type and severity of problems like family history, weight, age and lifestyle; this is why it is so important to see the doctor before starting a course of pills; should you decide to stop taking the treatment, other side effects can occur as a result. These effects can be equally unpleasant as the side effects occurring as a result of taking weight control pills.
Despite all the bad publicity, weight loss drugs do work but they are more successful if they are used in conjunction with a low calorie diet and regular exercise, preferably using a properly worked out exercise regime. A low calorie diet would consist of meals that contain vitamins, minerals and fiber which are all essential for good health; the best sources are fruit and vegetables.
Exercising will need to be carried out if you want to benefit from the healthy food option but this probably needs to be worked out in advance with your physician. The best exercise plans should have cardiovascular and weight training exercises as this helps burn calories and increase the muscle to fat ratio that will increase a person’s metabolism and assist with weight loss.
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