subject: A Guide to FDA-Approved Weight Loss Pill and Supplements [print this page] A Guide to FDA-Approved Weight Loss Pill and Supplements
Indeed, the industry of weight loss products and programs is very big in America such that many products claiming to make one lose weight have sprouted out like mushrooms in recent years and they are selling like hotcakes. The reason why this is happening is because people prefer quick weight-loss schemes as opposed to going through the old "diet and exercise routine". But many of these products don't have the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval.
Many of the weight-loss supplements out now are created just to make a quick buck and not to serve as the "weight loss savior". These supplements do not require prescription so they are not regulated the same way with prescription drugs which makes them even more dangerous. Here are some reminders from the FDA to help consumers interested in these diet products and supplements.
1. Any product that claims to make you lose weight effortlessly is lying. Losing weight takes more than just drinking a weight loss drink or eating a low-fat energy bar.
2. Diet patches that claim to absorb fat are proven to be ineffective. The FDA has seized millions of these from their manufacturers.
3. Pills that supposedly block fats or those who claim to act as fat magnets that will easily drain your fats do not work. The FDA has already filed several legal actions against companies that produce these types of products.
4. Beware of supplements that contain ephedra. Ephedra is an alkaloid chemical compound that supposedly promotes weight loss. Side effects may include severe skin reactions, irritability, nervousness, trembling, profuse perspiration, dehydration, itchy scalp and skin, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, seizures, stroke or death.
The truth is, science has yet to come up with a pill or supplement that will facilitate easy weight loss to its users. Therefore, any product that claims to do just that is completely deceiving the consumers. Unfortunately, many people still fall for this tricks.
The FDA also advices people to look out for products that contains the following words on their claims and advertisements:
1. easy
2. effortless
3. breakthrough
4. guaranteed
5. magical
6. new discovery
7. mysterious
8. exotic
9. secret
10. miraculous
Every year in the United States billions and billions of dollars are spent, most of them wasted, on diet pills. Most people who take them end up with one of two results. First and most common, they fail to lose any significant amount of weight. Or second, they end up losing the weight, but then gain it all back once they stop taking the pills.
Moreover, I think that the reason for these failures are two-fold. One reason is that many diet pill makers either lie or exaggerate their claims. In this case there is little you can do but try to get a refund. However, I think the second reason people fail is more important. People who use diet pills expect a quick and easy fix to their weight issues. This is not realistic and is probably the number one diet pill myth out there.
Despite this myth though Americans continue to buy diet pills in ever great numbers and diet manufactures are happy to sell it to us. Essentially what has happened is that marketers keep making more and more outrageous statements such as: "lose 100 pounds before you finish reading this article." And consumers continue to believe them or at least that they can quickly lose a lot of weight fast.
Now the really unfortunate thing about all of this is that some diet pills really can help you to lose weight. The reason this is unfortunate is because it would be easy if all diet pills were scams then you could simply avoid them altogether. And in a sense you can, the most effective way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat right and exercise regularly. However, for many people these approaches can take months if not years to accomplish.
Real diet pills can speed up the process of weight loss but it can't be your only approach. To keep the weight off you will still need to eat better and exercise. Instead of thinking of a diet pill as the solution your problem think of it as an aid. It can help but you will still have to do a lot of the work.
Finally, if you are thinking or using a diet pill to lose weight make sure that it does work. The easiest way to do this is to type the name of the pill +review on google. If you see many negative reviews you should probably stay away from that one.
Remember, there are many diet pill manufactures out there who are only selling snake oil, making it difficult to determine the truth from lies. Some diet pills do work but you have to be realistic. Losing weight is difficult and takes awhile if you want to do it right. Keep that in mind when pick a diet pill and you will ultimately be successful with your weight loss goals.
