Best diet pills
The diet pill industry is thriving, mostly because so many people are looking for a fast and easy way to lose weight without having to bother with diet and exercise. Diet pills come in all shapes and sizes, and each one promises to do something different, whether it be blocking fat, filtering out "bad" carbs, or boosting your metabolism.
Over-the-counter diet pills
You can purchase these diet pills from any local drugstore. However, these pills are not backed by the Food and Drug Administration, which means they are neither a credible or safe way to lose weight. In fact, one of the main ingredients in many over-the-counter diet pills, Ephedra, was recently banned by the FDA for use because it has been proved to lead to heart failure. At best, the most you'll be doing purchasing these pills is taking expensive vitamins. At worst, the combination of "natural herbs" and other ingredients could prove very harmful and even fatal.
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That said, it's safe to say you should avoid over the counter diet pills, as they are neither an effective or safe way to lose weight. A general rule of thumb to keep in mind is if it sounds too good to be true (such as "lose 30 pounds in 30 days" or "lose weight without dieting or exercising) then it probably is. But are there any diet pills that actually work?
Prescription diet pills
Prescription diet pills can be an effective and safe ways to lose weight. However, these types of pills are not designed for people who want to drop a few pounds or who want to look good in a bikini by summertime; rather, most doctors refuse to prescribe them to anyone who isn't clinically obese, which is categorized as having a Body Mass Index of over 30.
Doctor-prescribed diet pills come in two main forms - appetite suppressants and fat blockers. Appetite suppressants target the hypothalamus, the area in the brain responsible for the appetite. The pills work by increasing certain chemicals in the brain, which in turn make you feel fuller for a longer period of time. As a result, you tend to eat less.
Fat blockers inhibit an enzyme in the body responsible for breaking down fat. By doing this, a percentage of fat that is ingested is flushed from the body through bowel movements. Both appetite suppressants and fat blockers are designed to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program to give people a little extra help in losing weight.
If you qualify for prescription diet pills, the following are some of the best and most effective on the market.
- Meridia. This is categorized as an appetite suppressant, but it does not work to actually suppress your appetite. Instead, it makes you feel fuller sooner and longer, so you are more likely to eat less. Most people on Meridia are also able to maintain their weight loss once they get off of it.
- Orlistat. This fat blocker is designed to help you keep weight off. It comes along with a special diet plan from your doctor, as there are certain meal restrictions that must be followed before you take orlistat.
Depending on the diet pill, they can be an effective way to help you lose weight. However, there is no magic pill; in order for diet pills to be effective, they must be taken in conjunction with an exercise and diet program.
