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Diet Pill Dangers The ads are seductive, promising easy weight loss, and Americans are increasingly buying weight-loss supplements in the quest to trim down. Many people just cannot lose the weight with diet and exercise alone. So along comes a print ad or television commercial that promises rapid weight loss with no dieting, no exercise and no side effects. In the quest for the perfect body and the easy fix, consumers are spending about $1.6 billion a year on weight-loss supplements. The American Dietetic Association believes they're wasting their money, and in some cases even risking their health. "You really don't know what you're getting when you buy some of these products," Sass said. "You don't know if what's in there is what it says. You don't know if it's going to be safe, you don't know if it's going to work. You don't know what kind of side effects it's going to have." Of particular concern are supplements containing stimulants. Studies show the popular Bitter Orange, or citrus aurantium increases heart rate and blood pressure when combined with other stimulants. Research also shows long-term use of Yerba Mate tea increases the risk of some cancers. At one store we visited, stronger stimulants such as Red Line Vbx are kept locked away from customers who must ask for the products. Of particular concern are supplements containing stimulants. Studies show the popular Bitter Orange, or Citrus Aurantium increases heart rate and blood pressure when combined with other stimulants. Research also shows long term use of Yerba Mate tea increases the risk of some cancers. At one store we visited, stronger stimulants such as Red Line Vbx are kept locked away from customers who must seek the products. "So I can tell them, you know, if you've got high blood pressure this is absolutely not a product that anyone would recommend you take," said Diana Pruitt of the Vitamin Shoppe. But many products may not even work. The government has gone after more than 100 of these companies in the past decade for deceptive advertising. "If there really were a miracle pill that would help you lose weight, you'd be hearing about it on the evening news not in a weight-loss ad," said Mary Engle of the Federal Trade Commission. As you can see, diet pills need to be taken with caution due to all of the physical risks. But there are emotional risks too. Often those trying to lose weight may start to feel emotionally dependent on the pills. They may attribute their initial success to diet pills only, forgetting any diet modifications, exercise or other lifestyle changes that may have been the true reason for the weight loss. People will often 'pill hop', trying one new pill after the other, looking for the magic cure that will let them continue to eat whatever they want but still lose weight. However, only a balanced, sensible diet combined with exercise has been proven to keep weight off over any amount of time. And no pill will cause the lifestyle and emotional changes needed to stop overeating and start losing weight. All Text Copyright © dmcrecycling.com |
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