Non prescription Diet Pills

From LoveToKnow Diet

What are the benefits -- and drawbacks -- of using non-prescription diet pills to help achieve a healthy weight?

Appetite Suppression

There are dozens of non-prescription diet pills available to help a person who needs a way to control appetite or prevent absorption of undesirable components of food. The most commonly-used type of diet pill is the appetite suppressant. Appetite Suppressants, including Dexatrim and Acutrim, usually contain a chemical called phenylpropanolamine (PPA). Unfortunately, PPA has been linked to many health problems, including stroke, high blood pressure, anxiety, and "the jitters." There has also been no scientific proof that PPA helps people permanently lose weight.

Blockers

Another class of over-the-counter diet pills includes the "blockers." The most common are carb-blockers and fat-blockers, which claim to prevent your body from absorbing the specific substance you are trying reduce. The idea is that taking these pills prior to eating will make it possible for you to eat what you want, while your body will be unable to process the macronutrient in question.

Laxatives

Laxatives, including herbal "diet teas" containing senna, are used to control weight by speeding elimination and emptying the intestines. The primary danger with laxatives is dependence -- long-term use has been shown to lead to an inability to have a bowel movement without first using a laxative. Laxatives have also been shown to cause dehydration, severe cramps, and damage to the digestive tract.

Diuretics

Also known as "water pills," diuretics are used to remove excess water from the body. What most people don't realize is that the body will respond to diuretic use by storing additional water, essentially defeating the purpose for which they were taken.

Benefits of Non-prescription Diet Pills

Actually, there aren't any. Most of them will not help a person achieve sustainable, long-term weight-loss. Some of them are, frankly, dangerous.

Drawbacks of Use

The dangers of non-prescription diet pills are myriad. As mentioned previously, some of the ingredients are known to cause adverse health effects even when taken according to the directions. Besides PPA, there are ephedra, caffeine, and other stimulants used in these pills to speed up the metabolism and control appetite. We all remember the problems discovered with ephedra, problems which eventually led to its being banned in the U.S.

As mentioned before, laxatives and diuretics can damage the body's digestive and excretory functions, and they can be addictive.

Alternatives to Non-prescription Diet Pills

Rather than using a pill to reduce weight, an overweight person should place themselves under the care of a competent doctor or nutritionist, and should follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen to safely and permanently eliminate excess weight.