Monday, October 13, 2008

Do Weight Loss Drugs Work?

Weight Loss Drug Dangers


[Each year, increasing numbers of people around the world are becoming overweight, including school children according to recent studies. To cure this problem, some people have resorted to surgical measures whereas others have decided that adjustments to their food intake and an increase in physical activity is necessary. The problem is that many people are impatient and want instant results so they resort to taking weight loss drugs instead of living a healthy lifestyle.

These drugs usually work buy telling the brain it's no longer hungry, stimulating metabolism to aid the shedding of excess fat. It was only after scientists discovered that these drugs had side effects and were related to heart valve disease that they were taken off the shelves. Since then, newer drugs have been developed and doctors continue to prescribe them although they are still awaiting FDA certification.

The chances are that if you asked enough people, someone will say they have used them and been happy with the results. This is obviously a very tempting prospect, to lose weight while eating the same diet. Many millions of dollars are spent each year in The United States alone while the drug manufacturers spend huge sums on further research into weight loss drugs.

An individual wishing to buy weight control pills can do so over-the-counter or have them prescribed by their doctor, however there are still health risks associated with their use. You must check the packet carefully before you decide to use them because some of the other side effects can be even more harmful, like the possibility of a heart attack or even a stroke, with hallucinations, tremors, breathing problems and convulsions all recorded as side effects for users of these drugs.

This can lower the possibility of some side effects occurring, although this may depend on the genetic makeup of the person using them. Problems like irritability, tiredness, vomiting, stomach pains and sleep problems are all common effects reported when someone stops taking these weight control pills.

{Although these weight loss drugs do work, an increase in beneficial effects occurs when regular exercise is undertaken along with a change in eating habits. Despite all the bad publicity, weight loss drugs do work but they are more successful if they are used in conjunction with a low calorie diet and regular exercise, preferably using a properly worked out exercise regime.} A low calorie diet would consist of meals that contain vitamins, minerals and fibre which are all essential for good health; the best sources are fruit and vegetables.

As far as the exercise is concerned, this needs to be worked out in advance after a physical examination by your doctor. A regime of this kind would increase an individual's metabolic rate.]