Today I’m introducing a a guest post by Anita Fernandes on the most dangerous diet pills and weight loss supplements. I hope you take her advice seriously and make sure you follow a reputable weight loss that will keep you healthy in the long term, like my very own Beauty Body Plan.
The Dangers of Using Weight Loss Supplements
Weight loss supplements may seem like the ideal solution to your weight problems. You’re not alone in thinking this. According to recent surveys, at least 15% of adults in the United States used a weight loss supplement. Supplement manufacturers often make claims that aren’t backed up by solid research. While weight loss supplements seem like a good idea, the most dangerous diet pills pose serious health risks. In rare cases, they can even be fatal.
Following are five shocking truths about weight loss supplements.
1. Fraudulent and adulterated diet pills are common.
The weight loss market in the US is worth over 66 billion USD. It’s not surprising the market attracts greedy companies selling deceptive, phony and unhealthy diet pills. These weight loss and diet pills won’t help you lose weight and can pose a serious health risk. Impure products can contain heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury), pesticides or other fillers. Thus, products that contain heavy metals are transformed from ineffective diet pills to dangerous weight loss supplements. The FDA warns consumers to avoid weight loss supplements that offer miraculous benefits. Don’t pick up weight loss supplements on a whim. Instead, research the product well before you buy. Furthermore, don’t buy online from unknown sellers. Instead buy them from a reliable store or local pharmacy.
2. Products can be tainted with prescription drugs.
Weight loss products are often marketed as plant-based. Plant-based is supposed to be safe, right? Unfortunately, not always.
Regulatory bodies have found plant-based (or natural) products have hidden pharmaceutical ingredients. For instance, the FDA found that several dietary supplements contained fluoxetine. Fluoxetine is the active ingredient in Prozac. Other supplements contained triamterene which is a prescription diuretic. Triamterene side effects include low blood pressure, kidney damage and congestive heart failure.
The FDA has discovered pharmaceutical ingredients hidden in bee pollen and garcinia cambogia supplements . The FDA distributes notices on tainted weight-loss products to buyers make informed decisions.
So, are weight loss pills dangerous?
3. Products can cause anxiety and paranoia
Even if a weight loss product is not adulterated, its ingredients could pose a risk to your mental health. This is because some of the herbs used can cause or exacerbate mental illness.
For instance, many weight loss herbal products contain the herb ginseng. Ginseng can cause nervousness, anxiety and sleeplessness in healthy individuals. Ginseng can trigger manic episodes in patients with psychiatric disorders.
Many weight loss products contain stimulants to increase calorie expenditure. These stimulants can also cause agitation, mood swings, anxiety and paranoia.
4. Products can cause heart problems.
Ephedra was one of the first weight loss ingredients to suppress appetite. The FDA banned the sale of medicines with ephedra when it was shown to cause heart attacks and strokes. Yet, herbal supplements for weight loss may contain ephedra as a hidden ingredient.
Other ephedra-free supplements have ingredients that have similar side effects. For instance, many weight loss supplements contain guarana. Guarana can cause increased heart rate and abnormal heart rhythms.
5. Products can cause addiction.
Diet supplements containing amphetamines can lead to addiction. Amphetamines are very effective in controlling appetite but researchers warn of habituation risks. Academic physicians report that amphetamines can temporarily restrict eating habits. Yet, the risk for long-term misuse is high. Users can develop a tolerance and become dependent on supplements. ‘Developing a tolerance’ means you’ll need higher doses to achieve the same effects. This can lead users to stimulants with more serious health risks, like methamphetamines.
Are weight loss supplements regulated?
Pharmaceutical drugs need to pass rigorous testing before they can hit the market. Yet, weight loss products are categorized as dietary supplements and not drugs. This means they do not need any review before they are sold. Weight loss supplements don’t need to prove they’re safe or even effective. The FDA will only recall it after a complaint is and thorough investigation is done.
Weight loss supplements may promote weight loss but usually risks outweigh the benefits. Evidence shows you’re more successful at keeping off weight if you lose weight gradually (1-2 pounds per week). Diet experts agree fad diet plans and restrictive programs are not the solution. You need to change your daily eating habits and exercise on a regular basis to see long term results.
Cheap weight loss supplements that work are improbable at best. At worst, they’re imaginary. Dangerous weight loss pills that work aren’t worth it. The possibility to lose a dress size now and suffer serious health complications later is a bad bet to make.
About the author
Anita Fernandes has been writing on health and wellness for over a decade. She has expertise in nutrition, fitness, public health, and weight loss. She has contributed content to a variety of leading digital health publishers. Anita has a unique perspective on healthy living and lifestyle, as she has battled and overcome anxiety and mental health issues. She shares her experiences to help others with physical and mental health problems that often seem unbeatable.
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