There seems to be a variety of opinions regarding the value of diet pills. There are as many people who have experienced meaningful weight loss from using diet pills as those who have been disappointed. The simple fact is: diet pills are not magic bullets. But, they can be a useful weapon in your personal battle of the bulge.
Regardless of your position, one of the most popular segments of the dietary supplement industry is weight loss, commonly sold as diet pills, to help people burn fat and lose weight. It is easy to understand why diet pills are so popular with consumers.
Americans are a growing population.
Unfortunately, it is growing wider and wider. Airline seats are becoming too small for the passengers; beds aren’t strong enough to hold the occupants; cars, that used to seat 6 people comfortably, do so for 4 people. Clothing manufacturers are even changing the cut of their clothes. Size 12 isn’t a 12 anymore – it is relaxed fit.
Prior to 2003, most of the diet pills contained an herb called Ma Huang. It has a stimulating action and, when mixed with a natural caffeine source and a natural aspirin, initiates thermogenesis: a process that creates heat by burning calories in the form of stored fat. Users experience increased energy and in most cases, measurable weight loss.
The active ingredient, Ephedra, was banned by F.D.A. in 2003.
The F.D.A. felt these ephedra-based products were dangerous and banned all supplements containing Ma Huang and any other herb that contained this particular plant compound generally referred to as Ephedra. Rightly or wrongly, people lost a valuable tool for weight loss because a few people, who were using the product, refused to follow label instructions.
What are People Doing?
People still want diet pills to help them lose weight. The industry offers a host of diet products that contain stimulants from various sources. Recently, the F.D.A. evaluated weight loss products. After the evaluation, more than 70 of them were recalled because the products were adulterated with unauthorized stimulants. The list is available on Consumer Alert website of the F.D.A.
There are better choices.
There are diet pills on the market that do not rely on over-stimulating the body to help consumers lose weight. But, because they lack the “pop” that was the hallmark of the ephedra-based diet products, they are often overlooked by consumers. In fact, many of these products can be very helpful for achieving meaningful weight loss.
People should expect three things from a diet pill:
- A quick, experiential change of energy. It isn’t that jittery feeling – it is a sensation that people often refer to as an awakening.
- A sustained, heightened level of energy and focus that, when taken in the morning, carries the consumer through the typical mid-morning doldrums. You can expect a similar experience if you use the weight loss supplement at lunch.
- Appetite and cravings management to help avoid snacking between meals.
Can diet pills help you lose weight without feeling jittery?
You bet. Diet pills can help you lose weight. But, you should know that there is a difference between burning calories and burning fat. And, you can lose weight even faster if you add moderate exercise and avoid eating products made with white flour, milk and milk products, starches and table sugar. And, don’t forget fruit sugar in juices!
Whether you choose to begin your weight loss program for health reasons or appearance, you don’t have to feel like you could jump out of your skin to lose weight. All you really need is your good judgment, well-crafted diet pills and a little time.
