Natural Weight Loss Drugs
If you go into any health food store or look online, you’ll find hundreds of weight loss supplements, many of them claiming to have remarkable benefits. Although it’s tempting to try new supplements, the possible side effects and safety concerns aren’t always listed. And while some of them may be promising, others can do more harm than good. Here’s information about some of the more popular weight loss supplements.
Lose Weight the Natural Way
Still the best natural way of losing weight is to do it, well, the natural way - eat right and exercise. (No, using a natural weight loss drug doesn’t count.) Do not give up just because you cannot see results. Depending on your level of fitness, these things take time. You did not gain all that weight overnight so you should not expect to lose it overnight either.
Over-the-Counter Drugs and Herbal Remedies
Orlistat
Orlistat (Xenical) can help about one third of obese patients with modest weight loss, and can assist in long term maintenance of weight loss. It reduces the body’s absorption of fat from foods, thereby reducing weight and cholesterol. Orlistat blocks the action of lipase, an enzyme in the intestine that breaks down fat. It does not increase serotonin but it makes it work effectively, and it is a stimulant. Studies have found that at the end of the first year orlistat users achieve an average of 5% to 10% drop in body weight.
Hoodia
Hoodia is one of the better-known herbal supplements used as a natural appetite suppressant, but there haven’t been any clinical trials involving humans yet. If you search online for hoodia, you’ll find hundreds of companies selling hoodia and cautioning you not to buy the competitor’s useless hoodia pills. Counterfeit or fake hoodia is a real problem – it’s been estimated that more than half of all hoodia products aren’t actually the real thing.
Risks of Using Health Products for Weight Loss
The ingredients of the specific health product;
Whether the health product is used alone or in combination with other products for weight loss, prescription and non-prescription health products, as well as certain foods; and
The age and health status of the person using the product.
Underachievement for drugs
According to a report published yesterday by Edison Investment Research, an equity research firm, the market for weight loss drugs has until now been stunted because of the side effects or limited efficacy of most products.
