Popular Diet and Weight Loss Pills You Can Purchase

Losing weight can be very challenging. Eating less and exercising more are the basics of losing weight. However, some people prefer to add diet and weight loss pills to their routine to lose a few kilos faster.

Do Diet and Weight Loss Pills Work?

Most health professionals would agree that the best way to lose some weight is through a healthy diet and regular exercise. Moreover, your discipline when it comes to eating and exercising also is a significant factor in your weight loss journey.

The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology stated that a combination of increased exercise, a healthy diet, and behavioral therapy could help people lose weight. They may lose 5% to 10% of their weight in 6 months.

For some, a proper diet and exercise isn’t enough. Your doctor can assess you if you are fit to take some prescription weight-loss medication. These pills are okay for you if:

  • Your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or greater;
  • You have a BMI of 27 or greater as well as obesity-related conditions;
  • You have some difficulty losing even just one pound per week in the first six months of proper diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides a BMI calculator that you can easily use. The index shows you the measure of your body fat in relation to your height and weight. You can easily search for the BMI calculator online.

The BMI calculator may provide inaccurate results, especially if you are very muscular. If this is the case, you might want to consult your doctor about the best way to determine your status. Moreover, it is vital to know that teenagers, pregnant women, and children are not recommended to take diet and weight-loss pills in most cases.

Diet and weight loss pills can work in several ways:

  • Reduce Appetite (some pills make you feel full to keep you from eating more.)
  • Reduce Absorption (some pills reduce your absorption of nutrients such as fat, making you absorb fewer calories.)
  • Increase Fat Burning- (some pills make you burn more calories.)

Should You Consider Taking Diet and Weight Loss Pills?

It would help if you were careful of products that promise easy and quick weight loss. According to the Food and Drug Administration, most of those pills don’t work, and some can be dangerous to your health. Furthermore, the FDA doesn’t regulate over-the-counter supplements.

FDA-approved diet and weight loss pills don’t work like magic. Some won’t work for you, may have side effects, and are not risk-free. However, the benefits they carry might outweigh the risks, especially if your obesity-related conditions are more significant.

It is vital to ask your doctor about diet and weight-loss pills you plan on trying. Your doctor can provide you with the right information about the safety and effectiveness of these pills. He can also provide you with strategies on how to lose some pounds and maintain your healthy weight.

List of Pills You Can Consider

Here are 5 popular pills recommended for diet and weight loss you can try:

Garcinia Cambogia Extract

Garcinia cambogia gained popularity in 2012 through the Dr. Oz show. It is a small green fruit that looks like a pumpkin.

The skin of this fruit has hydroxycitric acid (HCA). This is an active ingredient in the pill. Furthermore, it is known that garcinia cambogia extract can help reduce your cravings.

No serious side effects have been reported in using garcinia cambogia extract. However, some reported that it could cause mild digestive problems.

Hydroxycut

Hydroxycut has been existing for more than a decade. It is still very popular as of today. Moreover, this pill has different types. However, the most common is known as hydroxycut.

Hydroxycut contains several ingredients that can help your weight loss journey. The ingredients include caffeine and several plant extracts. If you are sensitive to caffeine, you may experience some side effects like anxiety, nausea, jitteriness, and the like.

Caffeine

Caffeine is naturally found in coffee, dark chocolate, and green tea. It is the most popularly consumed psychoactive substance worldwide. Moreover, caffeine is also added to several beverages and processed foods.

Caffeine is a metabolism booster. It is commonly added to weight-loss pills. Side effects may include the following:

  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Irritability
  • Jitteriness

Orlistat (Alli)

Orlistat can be sold over-the-counter or under prescription. This pill works by breaking down your body fat, which makes you absorb fewer calories. Aside from helping you out with losing weight, orlistat can also reduce your blood pressure and the risk of having type 2 diabetes.

This pharmaceutical drug may cause digestive side effects. This includes having loose and oily stools, frequent bowel movement, and flatulence. Moreover, it may cause a deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, E, D, and K.

Raspberry Ketones

Raspberry ketones are found in raspberries. Research shows that this pill increases fat breakdown and increases the level of adiponectin (a hormone related to weight loss). The only side effect you may get are burps that smell like raspberries.

Takeaway

Diet and weight loss pills are not for everyone. Hence, it is essential to consult your doctor before you try any of these. Moreover, you should note that you still need to focus on proper diet and exercise while taking these pills.

Author Bio

Jack Harris is a freelance writer. He likes to write just about anything related to health, lifestyle, and sports. In his free time, he bonds with his two dachshunds dogs.