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Since I've stopped smoking, I've gained weight and feel like a complete cow.

2006-12-30 07:18:09 · 6 answers · asked by Suzanne S 2 in Health Diet & Fitness

6 answers

Herbal or dietary supplement The claims What you need to know
Bitter orange Decreases appetite Touted as an "ephedra substitute" but may cause health problems similar to those of ephedra
Long-term effects unknown

Chitosan Blocks the absorption of dietary fat Relatively safe, but unlikely to cause weight loss
Can cause constipation, bloating and other gastrointestinal complaints
Long-term effects unknown

Chromium Reduces body fat and builds muscle Relatively safe, but unlikely to cause weight loss
Long-term effects unknown

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) Reduces body fat, decreases appetite and builds muscle Might decrease body fat and increase muscle, but isn't likely to reduce total body weight
Can cause diarrhea, indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems

Country mallow (heartleaf) Decreases appetite and increases the number of calories burned Contains ephedra, which is dangerous
Likely unsafe and should be avoided

Ephedra Decreases appetite Can cause high blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, sleeplessness, seizures, heart attacks, strokes and even death
Banned from the marketplace because of safety concerns, but may still be legally sold as a tea
Despite the ban, many ephedra products still sold on the Internet

Green tea extract Increases calorie and fat metabolism and decreases appetite Limited evidence to support the claim
Can cause vomiting, bloating, indigestion and diarrhea
May contain a large amount of caffeine

Guar gum Blocks the absorption of dietary fat and increases the feeling of fullness, which leads to decreased calorie intake Relatively safe, but unlikely to cause weight loss
Can cause diarrhea, flatulence and other gastrointestinal problems

Hoodia Decreases appetite No conclusive evidence to support the claim


The pitfalls of pills
Dietary supplements and weight-loss aids aren't subject to the same rigorous standards as are prescription drugs or medications sold over-the-counter. Thus, they can be marketed with limited proof of effectiveness or safety. Vendors can make health claims about products based on their own review and interpretation of studies without the authorization of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, the FDA can pull a product off the market if it's proved dangerous.

For the consumer, it's hard to know what you're getting, or even if the list of ingredients matches what's in the bottle. Many weight-loss pills contain a cocktail of ingredients — some with more than 20 herbs, botanicals, vitamins, minerals or other add-ons, such as caffeine or laxatives. How these ingredients interact individually and collectively with your body is largely unknown. And using them can be a risky venture, especially if you're taking other medications.

Your own scrutiny and curiosity are your best protection. Read labels closely and talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any dietary supplements you're taking or considering taking.

No quick fix
There's no magic bullet for losing weight. The only way to lose weight and keep it off is through indefinite lifestyle changes: Eat healthier, low-calorie foods, watch portion sizes, and engage in regular physical activity. It's certainly no magic pill, but it works.

Keep in mind that even if you take a weight-loss pill, you still have to eat fewer calories than your body uses in order to lose weight. Even if these products were to help you lose weight initially, you'd have to continue taking them for the weight to stay off, which is neither practical nor safe.

If you are concerned about your weight or have a condition that's exacerbated by extra pounds, talk to your doctor. Whether you have 10 pounds or 100 pounds to lose, you need to eat a healthy diet based on a variety of foods and burn calories through physical activity. Time has shown that there truly are no easy solutions to losing weight. And over-the-counter weight-loss pills could cause more harm than good.


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Protein shakes: Do they increase weight loss?
Weight-loss drugs: Can a prescription help you lose weight?
Bitter orange weight loss supplements: Do they work?
Hoodia: An effective appetite suppressant?
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Mar 10, 2006
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Dec 30, 2006

2006-12-30 07:31:45 · answer #1 · answered by iroc 7 · 0 0

Drink lots of tea and water. Most of the time we confuse thirst as hunger. Also, tea is good for you and an appetite suppressent as well. Try to stick to decafinated teas! Good luck!

2006-12-30 07:19:33 · answer #2 · answered by seriously2sweet4u 2 · 0 0

Hoodia

2006-12-30 07:19:35 · answer #3 · answered by talarlo 3 · 0 0

a mirror.

Try chewing sugar-free gum and delving into a rigorous exercise regimen.

2006-12-30 07:20:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

exercise, that is really the only thing that works. also cut
back on eating. my husband and I have started sharing
combo meals when eating out.

2006-12-30 07:29:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

you could try the slim-fast milkshakes... (Tiiime is on my side...) i think the can has a little clock on it

2006-12-30 07:20:57 · answer #6 · answered by emblebeegirl 3 · 0 0

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