And it's possible that they could interfere with your other medications. Your pharmacist can walk you through a cryptic ingredient list and point out any red flags.
World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Women's Health. Primary Care. Mental Health. More Button Icon Circle with three vertical dots. It indicates a way to see more nav menu items inside the site menu by triggering the side menu to open and close. Donavyn Coffey.
Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board. There is minimal evidence that over-the-counter weight loss pills work. In fact, you should avoid over-the-counter weight loss pills since some contain harmful ingredients.
Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice. Donavyn Coffey is a contributor to Insider. In the United States, PPA is no longer sold without a prescription after studies associated it with increased risk of stroke.
Ephedrine, ephedra or ma huang, a component in adrenaline. It can cause a rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and even psychosis and seizures. There have been some reported deaths attributed to its use. Do not use these products! However, dietary supplements that contain ephedra have been banned in the U. For example, one study suggested it would take more than seven months to lose a pound of body fat via the effects of chitosan.
For women, no fat was trapped. Dietary herbal teas, which usually contain ingredients that work as laxatives. Over time, they can cause chronic pain and constipation. People then become dependent on their use for bowel movements.
To begin:. Finally, weight loss is not for everyone. You can be healthier by being physically active and eating a healthy diet -- fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean fish, meat or tofu and foods high in calcium like dairy products.
Go easy on fried foods. These may have to be eaten in limited quantities. Toggle navigation. Can diet pills help you lose weight? Limited prescription options Judith Stern is a professor of nutrition and internal medicine at UC Davis. Beware over-the-counter remedies Many over-the-counter remedies can have profound effects on your health in ways you might not predict. Here are some common — or once-common — over-the-counter dietary aids, including some that are now restricted: Phenylpropanolamine or PPA, once also an active ingredient in decongestants.
To begin: Set your own goals. Side effects: There are no reports of serious side effects, but some reports of mild digestive problems.
Hydroxycut has been around for more than a decade, and is currently one of the most popular weight loss supplements in the world. How it works: It contains several ingredients that are claimed to help with weight loss, including caffeine and a few plant extracts. Effectiveness: One study showed that it caused 21 lbs 9. Side effects: If you are caffeine sensitive, you may experience anxiety, jitteriness, tremors, nausea, diarrhea and irritability.
Unfortunately, there is only one study on this supplement and no data on long-term effectiveness. More research is needed. Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world 6. It is found naturally in coffee , green tea and dark chocolate , and added to many processed foods and beverages.
Caffeine is a well known metabolism booster , and is often added to commercial weight loss supplements. Effectiveness: There are also some studies showing that caffeine can cause modest weight loss in humans 11 , Side effects: In some people, high amounts of caffeine can cause anxiety, insomnia, jitteriness, irritability, nausea, diarrhea and other symptoms. Caffeine is also addictive and can reduce the quality of your sleep.
There really is no need to take a supplement or a pill with caffeine in it. The best sources are quality coffee and green tea, which also have antioxidants and other health benefits. Caffeine can boost metabolism and enhance fat burning in the short term. However, a tolerance to the effects may develop quickly. Orlistat is a pharmaceutical drug, sold over-the-counter under the name Alli , and under prescription as Xenical. How it works: This weight loss pill works by inhibiting the breakdown of fat in the gut, making you take in fewer calories from fat.
Effectiveness: According to a big review of 11 studies, orlistat can increase weight loss by 6 pounds 2. Side effects: This drug has many digestive side effects , including loose, oily stools, flatulence, frequent bowel movements that are hard to control, and others.
It may also contribute to deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E and K. It is usually recommended to follow a low-fat diet while taking orlistat, in order to minimize side effects. Interestingly, a low carb diet without drugs has been shown to be as effective as both orlistat and a low-fat diet combined Orlistat, also known as Alli or Xenical, can reduce the amount of fat you absorb from the diet and help you lose weight. It has many side effects, some of which are highly unpleasant.
Raspberry ketone is a substance found in raspberries, which is responsible for their distinct smell. A synthetic version of raspberry ketones is sold as a weight loss supplement. How it works: In isolated fat cells from rats, raspberry ketones increase breakdown of fat and increase levels of a hormone called adiponectin, believed to be related to weight loss Effectiveness: There is not a single study on raspberry ketones in humans, but one rat study using massive doses showed that they reduced weight gain There is no evidence that raspberry ketones cause weight loss in humans, and the rat studies showing it to work used massive doses.
How it works: Caffeine can increase fat burning, and chlorogenic acid can slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut. Effectiveness: Several human studies have shown that green coffee bean extract can help people lose weight 19 , A review of 3 studies found that the supplement made people lose 5.
Other benefits: Green coffee bean extract may help lower blood sugar levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is also high in antioxidants 22 , 23 , 24 , Side effects: It can cause the same side effects as caffeine.
The chlorogenic acid in it may also cause diarrhea, and some people may be allergic to green coffee beans Green coffee bean extract may cause modest weight loss, but keep in mind that many of the studies were industry sponsored. Glucomannan is a type of fiber found in the roots of the elephant yam, also called konjac. How it works: Glucomannan absorbs water and becomes gel-like. Effectiveness: Three human studies showed that glucomannan, combined with a healthy diet, can help people lose pounds 3.
Other benefits: Glucomannan is a fiber that can feed the friendly bacteria in the intestine. It can also lower blood sugar, blood cholesterol and triglycerides, and is very effective against constipation 29 , 30 ,
0コメント