Popularly referred to as diet pills/ diet supplements/ anti-obesity pills, slimming pills are often promoted as a fast approach to weight loss. And in a bid to significantly drop some dress sizes rapidly, many turn to these seemingly miracle weight-loss drugs. Some work, some don’t but the question is – how safe are these wonder pills?
Tagged as “metabolism boosters” or “fat burners”, most of these diet drugs which often come in powder, capsules or pills are lethal due to the large amounts of herbal stimulants and appetite suppressants they carry. Oblivious to many consumers, these ingredients are highly detrimental to human health and in most cases, trigger severe side-effects. The user is prone to several diseases ranging from bladder ailments to heart problems.
Functions of Slimming pills
Slimming pills usually differ in functionality depending on the ingredients contained in them. Below are some of the varied functions:
A slow down of the production of fat in the body
Appetite suppressant /control – Curb cravings for food
Satiety – User feels full by eating just a little
Fat blocker – prevent body from absorbing the fat in foods
Metabolism booster – Speed up metabolism
Effects of Slimming pills
With the above roles in effect, weight loss certainly occurs but the dangers of these overwhelming achievements definitely outweigh the benefits. Let’s see how.
A popular example of a weight loss supplement is Ephedra, a powerful Chinese herbal stimulant known to radically suppress appetite and boost energy. This ingredient was quite effective for weight loss. It worked by increasing heart rates and putting unnecessary pressure on the circulatory system of the consumer. This led to several cases of heart attacks and strokes. Ephedra was legally banned in 2004 by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in the United States.
Slimming drugs that offer consumers fat blocking benefits are usually laden with lipase inhibitors like Orlistat and Alli. These components have been linked with liver damages and symptoms of liver diseases like yellow skin or eyes, stomach pain, excessive gas, loss of appetite, pale coloured poop, and brownish urine (due to surplus bilirubin in the urine).
Furthermore, not only do lipase inhibitors prevent the body from absorbing large amounts of fats, it also stops the body from digesting certain vitamins. In addition, consumers who use slimming drugs that contain lipase inhibitors are prone to regaining weight as rapidly as they lost it the moment they stop the medications. Highly detrimental, right? More like an effort in futility, if you ask me.
Some slimming pills containing anti-depressants and amphetamines have also proved to become very addictive sometimes. Amphetamines are strong stimulants that speed up the heart and increases blood pressure. They are usually included in weight-loss drugs as appetite suppressants. Working on the central nervous system, the user feels energized and alert without eating and in little or no time drops notable weight, becomes emaciated and if too drastic, malnourished. Other side effects include: mood swings, convulsion, chest pain and possibly, heart failure.
Ideally, there is no shortcut to weight loss. The use of diet pills is a quick-fix weight loss practice which is extremely harmful and may lead to death. Incorporating the right kinds of food, regular workouts and healthy habits into your everyday life are the safest ways to a wholesome long-term weight-loss journey.
