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Weight loss pills are deemed as one of the most convenient and effortless way to loose weight. Day in and day out we are bombarded with TV ads, newspapers and health programs about some new miracle drug that will do wonders for our figure without any need to diet or exercise. The easy availability of these diet pills over the counter has boosted its sales and the market is booming with all sorts of remedies to reverse obesity process. Some of these pills are very effective in weight reduction and many successes have been recorded. But the market is flooded with many other counterfeit slimming pills and weight loss supplements that give us deceptive and false information. Beware of falling prey to these individuals or companies whose primary aim is to extort money from you. Henceforth it is imperative that we do some research and seek proper medical advice before trying them.

How do Pills work

There are a variety of ways that these slimming pills work to help you loose weight. This can range from speeding up your metabolic rate, preventing fat from being absorbed by the body or simply curbing your appetite. Most of these pills are made from common ingredients that slightly differ in quantity and quality.

When I searched Google answer to find out if these pills really worked, this is what I found :

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=771129

Below are the details of some of the most popular drugs and their workings, now this again is according to the respective manufacturers :

Xenical – This drug is known to prevent fat from being absorbed by the body. It works by inhibiting an enzyme called Lipase that breakdown body fat in the gastrointestinal tract. Because of the inability of body to absorb that fat, the side effects can lead to diarrhea, oily stools and rectal cramps. In order to reduce these side effects it is recommended to take healthy food which is already low in fat and calories.

Meridia – This drug directly affects the chemicals in brain that control our appetite. This hunger suppressant is normally prescribed to people who have significant trouble controlling their food cravings and calorie intake. The side effect of this drug is dryness in mouth and constipation. Since this drug also increases heart rate and blood pressure, it is not recommended for people with high blood pressure or any cardiovascular disease.

Phentermine- This drug is an appetite suppressant and produces the same result as Meridia. It is one of the most commonly prescribed medications as it is not very expensive and relatively safe to use. The side effect of this drug causes anxiety and nervousness. Long term use can also lead to insomnia, high blood pressure and depression.

Ephedra (Ma Huang) – this drug has been in thick of controversy because of its severe side effects. It boosts the metabolism of the body that increases heart rate and you burn body fat at a much faster rate. The side effects of this drug have resulted in cardiac arrests and deaths. Recently FDA has issued a ban on the use of this drug. The general consensus is that even though Ephedra works, its use has to clinically controlled and monitored.

Beware of counterfeit drugs

The market nowadays is flooded with fraudulent and untested weight loss pills which are a combination or cocktails of one or more drugs. These are not regulated by the government and its use without any proper inquiries can have very dangerous and harmful effects. Always be very careful about choosing your drug, they should ideally be FDA approved. Consult a doctor, who can prescribe a drug suited to your needs and body type. Regular monitoring and supervision is absolutely essential especially during first few weeks. Asking for a full explanation of drug’s functioning, side effects and symptoms will help you make an educated guess.

Do they work

As I already posted above, according to reviewers at Google, it’s better to go the herbal way :

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=771129

So the million dollar question is do these pills work. The answer is both yes and no. Some of these pills have good potential to help you loose weight but not on a permanent basis. It is a common knowledge that once you stop taking them, the weight creeps back. Sometimes your body gets adapted and resists the impact of the drugs and you wonder why you have reached a plateau where the weight stops dropping. In order for the pills to work effectively you should have it in conjunction with eating healthy and regular exercise. Changing your lifestyle and getting your basics right is the only way to reach your goal. Remember low calorie intake and physical activates have been the best proven methods to work since time bygones. .

For more info read about Diet pills or anti-obesity drug in wikipedia.

Ref:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-obesity_drug

You can pretty much judge how fat you are by your BMI. Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.

* Enter your weight and height using Standard or Metric measures.
* Click on “Compute BMI” and your BMI will appear in the heart of the figure.

BMI Categories:

* Underweight = <18.5
* Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
* Overweight = 25-29.9
* Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
Calculate your BMI for free online using these BMI Calculator/s

1> BMI Calculator at nhlbisupport.com

and

2> BMI Calculator at dietpillsguide.org