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Ask the Expert


Q Do diet pills really suppress cravings and help you lose weight?

A Good question. Sometimes these pills claim amazing results that sound too good to be true—and that's because they are. There is no "magic pill" that works. Think about it—if there really was one pill that people could take and see amazing results quickly, and with little to no effort, everyone in the world would know about it and probably use it.

Don't waste your money.

Some diet pills work because they usually contain stimulants, such as high doses of caffeine, which speed up your metabolism, making it easier for you to lose weight. These can be addictive, and cause serious health problems such as heart problems, medication interactions, and even death. In addition, as soon as you stop taking them, you’ll likely put all the weight you lost back on.

The other problem is that these products (diet pills and herbal supplements) are not regulated by the FDA the way that other medications and drugs are. So basically, no one is checking to make sure their claims are true, that the pills contain what they say they do, or that they are actually safe to be taking at all. Remember, even "natural" doesn’t mean safe.

The best way to lose weight is through a healthy diet and regular exercise. The closer you get to your goal weight, the harder it can be to continue dropping pounds, but you just have to be patient. Save your money—diet pills are not a long term solution.

For more info on weight loss pills/supplements, and how to be a wise consumer when it comes to weight loss products, read:

Weight Loss Supplements: Fact or Fiction?
How to Get Ripped Off--Guaranteed!
12 Ways to Spot a Fad Diet
Discussion about Alli

 
 
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