Diet Pills

Our passion for food can be overshadowed by our obsession with weight loss. Weight loss is often at the top of the list when it comes to New Year's resolutions.

We live in a world where many people resort to extreme measures to lose weight. In this climate, products that promise extreme or rapid weight loss have created a lot of suspicion and controversy.

There is a difference between unregulated weight loss supplements and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications to help people lose weight. Some people may benefit from using these FDA-approved medications under the supervision of their doctor if they also follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. This is what you need to know about these so called diet pills.

Are Diet Pills The Answer?

Most health professionals agree that the healthiest way to lose weight is to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet consisting of moderate portions of healthy foods. Understanding and changing your attitudes towards food is also the key to losing weight.

According to guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, a combination of healthy eating, increased physical activity, and behavioral therapy can help people lose 5 to 10 percent of their weight during the first six months of treatment. .

But for some people, this isn't enough. Your doctor can help you determine if you are a good candidate for prescription diet drugs, often called diet pills. According to the guidelines, they might be right for you if:

· Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more

· Having a BMI of 27 or more and obesity-related health conditions

· They were unable to lose one pound a week after six months of diet, exercise, and behavioral changes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers an easy-to-use calculator to help you determine your BMI. The index provides a measure of body fat based on weight and height. If you are very muscular, this may not provide an accurate indicator of your weight. Ask your doctor about the best way to estimate your status.

In most cases, pregnant women, teenagers and children should not take diet pills.

Controversy Over The Diet Pill

Diet drugs are very controversial. Several products have been withdrawn from the market after causing serious health problems. One of the best known was a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine marketed as Fen-Phen. This product has been linked to several deaths, as well as cases of pulmonary hypertension and damaged heart valves. Under pressure from the FDA, the manufacturers withdrew the product from the market.

Due to this history and the side effects associated with weight loss drugs, many doctors do not like to prescribe them. Dr Romy Block, a practicing endocrinologist in Skokie, Illinois, says, “I prescribe weight loss medications from time to time, but I'm hesitant. Many side effects need to be monitored, including blood pressure, heart rate, and mood.

Block adds that most people only lose 5 to 10 pounds when taking weight loss medications. “This is considered important by the medical community, but it is very disappointing for patients. Unfortunately, this modest weight loss is quickly recovered when patients stop taking the drug.

FDA Approved Diet Pills

Diet drugs work in several ways. Most suppress appetite or reduce the body's ability to absorb fat from food. Certain antidepressant, diabetic, and antiepileptic medications are sometimes prescribed to promote weight loss.

For short-term use, the FDA has approved the following diet drugs:

· Phendimetrazine (Bontril)

· Diethylpropion (tenuato)

· Benzphetamine (Didrex)

· Phentermine (Adipex-P, Fastin)

For long-term use, the FDA has approved the following drugs:

· Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)

· Phentermine / topiramate (Qsymia)

· Naltrexone / bupropion (Contrave)

· Liraglutide (Saxenda)

Should I Consider Taking Diet Pills?

Watch out for products that promise quick and easy weight loss. Over-the-counter supplements are not regulated by the FDA. According to the FDA, most of these products don't work and some of them are dangerous. Federal regulatory authorities have found that products marketed as dietary supplements contain medications that are not approved for use in the United States.

FDA approved diet pills are not a magic bullet for weight loss. They won't work for everyone, they all have side effects, and none are risk-free. But the modest benefits they provide may outweigh the risks if the health risks associated with obesity are significant.

Ask your doctor if prescribed weight loss medications are right for you. Your doctor can give you more information on safe and effective strategies for shedding extra pounds and maintaining a healthy weight.