Often it seems that weight loss supplements are surrounded in shrouds of mystery or claim to have almost magical powers.With so many weight loss supplements on the market today, each company that develops and markets these supplements makes claims regarding the effectiveness of their product.Naturally, some claims can be considered fact, while other claims or rumors that float around regarding these claims are fiction.
So how do you separate the truth from the untruth?Here is a “Fiction and Fact” list of just some common myths truths associated with the weight loss supplements on the market.
FICTION:Weight loss supplements can be effective in reaching your weight loss goal even without changing your diet or activity level.
FACT: In order for weight loss supplements to have maximum efficiency they must be combined with proper diet and regular exercise.Some people may see some initial weight loss when beginning a drug treatment plan but there will not be full, lasting results without changing lifestyle habits.The main purpose of weight loss supplements is to help jump start your system while you try to set up better habits that will help you lose excess weight and maintain ideal weight over the long run.
FICTION:Phentermine weight loss supplements are responsible for deaths associated with heart disease caused by taking phentermine.
FACT:When combined with other drugs such as fenfluramine (as found in the much talked about diet pill Fen-Phen) there have been reported cases of heart disease that has led to heart attack or stroke.Some deaths have been reported in situations such as this, but never with the use of phentermine on its own.
FICTION:Medical breakthroughs have resulted in the development of medications that can completely block the body’s absorption of fat from the foods you eat.
FACT:Medications such as Xenical have been developed which can help block up to one third, not all, of the fat our body absorbs from the foods you eat when combined with a reduced-calorie diet where less than thirty percent of all calories consumed come from fats.There is no weight loss supplement that can entirely block the body’s absorption of fat from foods.
FICTION:Taking weight loss supplements that are available without prescriptions are safer than those requiring a prescription.
FACT:Almost all weight loss supplements have undesirable side effects and carry some degree of risk, especially to people with pre-existing health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, severe liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or glaucoma.Most weight loss supplements provide some sort of stimulation to increase metabolism or boost energy levels, which in turn means that these supplements increase heart rates which could be more dangerous for some people than others.
FICTION:Herbal weight loss supplements are 100% safe because they contain natural ingredients.
FACT:Even herbal supplements can increase heart rates and cause undesirable side effects for some people.People who suffer from severe kidney or liver disease should not take any sort of medication, herbal or otherwise, without first consulting a trusted physician.Also, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also consult a physician before taking any medications, whether available over the counter or not.
FICTION:Weight loss supplements are safe for long term use if you have a significant amount of weight that you need to lose.
FACT:Most weight loss supplements are designed for short term use for the clinically obese under close supervision of a physician.Many of the drugs contained in these supplements can cause dependency and have associated serious withdrawal symptoms.Drugs such as phentermine and Meridia are considered controlled substances and should be treated as such.
FICTION:It is all right to take more than the recommended dosage if you are a larger person and are not seeing results as quickly as the makers of the weight loss supplement claim.
FACT:It is never okay to take more than the recommended dosage of any medication.If you are not seeing the results that you would like when taking a particular weight loss supplement, you might need to try a different medication or change your diet and/or exercise program.