The Mystery “Magic” Medications
Weight-loss
medications have become very popular in our country. This may seem like
the newest trend in weight loss but people have been taking some form of
medication or concoction for eons in hopes of adjusting their weight.
From the formula the local witch doctor may have whipped up to the
medications offered today, the “magic cure” has unfortunately thrived.
Some forty to fifty years ago doctors used to give out “diet pills.”
These primarily contained amphetamines, were highly addictive, and led
to adverse effects on the heart and nervous system. Thankfully these
compounds are no longer recommended for use in obesity treatment.
Other medications
are easily purchased over the counter at the drugstore and are mostly
known to decrease the appetite. These may work with obese people at
increased risk for serious medical problems but should not be used
strictly for cosmetic reasons and certainly not without a physician’s
approval. Herbs, over-the-counter medications, and prescription
medications are all drugs with potential side effects. Some are tested
for their safety, but long-term studies take time. Testing each and
every one of them is not possible. Always be cautious of any product
that you take and be aware of possible health consequences that may
result.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of weight-loss medications may include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Weakness/fainting/dizziness
- Anxiety
- Gallstones
- Headaches
- Anemia/low iron levels
- Seizures
- Nausea
- Heart attack/stroke
- High cholesterol
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Death
Recent Medication Developments
In recent years, various
medications have been released to the public to help lose extreme
amounts of weight. These products were promoted as a new type of
appetite suppressant. Millions of prescriptions were written. The side
effects were so horrible that they had to rightfully be removed from the
market. To this day we often hear and see news alert stories splashed
across the screen about some weight-loss product gone badly. But
consumers still want the “magic” and voilà—guess what? There are
countless new prescriptions, over-the-counter, and herbal remedies
available. My best advice is: “buyer beware!”
Although people are
more skeptical of product safety, they are still lining up to try the
latest medication in hopes of dropping those extra, unnecessary pounds.
Products like appetite suppressants, which are used to decrease appetite
and increase satiety (the feeling of fullness), and products used to
block absorption of fat and even starches can be found in abundance.
Even if you find a good product that is sanctioned by your physician or
health care provider, none of these products is marketed to work on its
own. They usually recommend making lifestyle changes. This is often
ignored like the legal gobbledygook at the end of a car commercial.
People forget that, along with taking these “pills,” there’s no escaping
the importance of decreasing total food intake and increasing activity
levels.
At first, prescription
medications were promoted to the severely obese. Even with their
so-called side effects, these medications were believed by experts to be
less of a health risk than being seriously obese. It was only a matter
of time before more prescriptions were being written strictly for
cosmetic reasons. Many of these people were less than severely obese.
Today these medications are commonly abused. People need to realize that
these drugs are powerful and can be harmful if not used properly.
With use of these
medications, pounds will be lost. But pounds will stay off only as long
as the plan is continued. Once medications stop and old lifestyle habits
return, pounds are regained. Medications are only a temporary solution.
Weight-Loss Medication Schemes
Beware of the following weight-loss medications and products. The Food and Drug Administration has banned many of them.
- “Fat burners”—These products include such ingredients as alcohol, caffeine, dextrose, and guar gum and claim to dissolve excess fat.
- “Diet patches”—These are promoted as a means to dispatch medication through a patch placed on the skin.
- “Fat blockers”—These promote the blockage of fat absorption.
- “Starch blockers”—These promote the blockage of starch absorption.
- “Bulk fillers”—Excess fiber in these fills the stomach and absorbs fluids, but can obstruct the digestive tract.
- “Magnet-type” pills—These are promoted as a way to flush out the body.
Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies for
general health are not all bad. I get excited by their potential and
the thought of more research. However, when it comes to weight loss,
many of these so-called natural products can be downright dangerous.
They are available through health food stores, mall kiosks, Internet
sites, weight-loss clinics, individual distributors, and drug stores.
The Food and Drug Administration warns consumers about the harmful use
of many of these products, as their safety and effectiveness have not
been tested.
Many herbal products
contain an amphetamine-like compound with potentially harmful stimulant
effects on the heart and central nervous system. Some of these products
act as diuretics (substances that increase urine production), thus
causing water weight loss. Others are promoted to increase metabolism
and decrease appetite. Products like these often can lead to undesirable
side effects like insomnia, irregular heartbeats, tremors, headaches,
irritability, and high blood pressure. There are still other products
that offer the benefit of helping consumers feel satiated or full. These
products tend to absorb fluids in the body, making a person feel
fuller, but in reality they have little weight-loss benefit.
Weight-Loss Effects from Hot and Spicy Foods
Hot
and spicy foods often are promoted as foods that can help increase your
metabolism (the rate at which calories are burned). Reports indicate
that these foods do not increase your metabolism, but may just increase
your desire to consume liquids because of their hot, spicy flavors.
Going to Extremes: Surgery
With all the makeover
shows on TV, you may be considering surgery as an extreme weight-loss
option. Following are some available procedures.
If you are
considering surgery, please understand that these options carry many
health risks. Do your research. When all is said and done, perhaps the
best extreme makeover you may need is to finally take extreme care of
yourself and your own diet and exercise.
Free to Eat Really Well
I promised you a
diet that really works. So what does that really mean? Today most people
think “diet” is a painfully restricted eating program. It conjures up
thoughts of starvation and gestapo rules of “You will eat this,” and
“You can’t eat that!”
The definition of
diet actually is “manner of living.” Originally it was meant to
encompass an entire approach to eating and daily activities. It’s time
to reclaim the original meaning and feel free to eat really well and
enjoy a full, active life. I’m often amazed at how many people are
shocked when I exuberantly proclaim, “I love to eat!” As you become more
knowledgeable with my program you can make good food choices, too. Only
5 to 10 percent of people who use a restrictive diet keep the weight
off for more than five years. Most of the weight is regained within a
year.
You
need to be the boss of your body and what works for you. Don’t be taken
in by overzealous claims. Don’t throw away your good sense of nutrition
or your need to establish lifelong healthy habits. Balance your food
choices and eat a variety of foods, doing so in moderation. Forget all
the crazy options trying to seduce you. Choose to enjoy your food and
really love life.
