What Diet Pills Really Work for Weight Loss?

With so many diet pills available you may wonder, what diet pills actually work for weight loss? The answer is there are a few diet pills that actually work, but there are no magic pills. You can't take any kind of diet pill, continue to eat everything in site, lead a sedentary life and expect to lose weight. Shrinking your waist requires a change in lifestyle. This means making healthy changes in your diet and getting your body up and moving.

Diet drugs have changed a lot over the past fifty years and while they are safer, they all come with their own risks. You shouldn't start taking any diet pill before you are educated on how it works and what health risks and/or side effects you may experience while taking the drug. Most importantly, you should always consult with a doctor before taking any diet pill or supplement. Here is a rundown of a few of the most popular diet pills available today.

Meridia (sibutramine)

Meridia works on norepinephrine and serotonin, the brain's appetite-control center. Meridia alters these chemicals in a way that makes a person perceive they are full. People who feel full will eat less. It is available by prescription only and is used for very overweight and obese people only.

This drug is only used by people who are very overweight or obese. It is not prescribed to someone who thinks that five or ten pounds is a problem! This drug is for the individual who needs to lose some serious weight and who wants an aid that will help do away with that ravenous hunger feeling.

It's important to know that Meridia can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack and it can raise your blood pressure. In fact, the drug has been banned in Italy because so many people were having adverse reactions to it. The FDA is currently monitoring Meridia to see if it is indeed safe.

Byetta (exenatide) and Glucophage (metformin)

If you are a type 2 diabetic and overweight or obese, your doctor may prescribe Byetta and Glucophage. Both are diabetic drugs used to manage blood sugar levels.

Doctors will generally not prescribe patients Byetta or Glucophage unless they are type 2 diabetics, or they suffer from hormonal conditions that are linked to insulin resistance. The good news is if your doctor does prescribe these two medications they are more likely to be covered by your insurance company than other diet drugs.

Zimulti (rimonabant)

Rimonabant is an anti-obesity drug. While pegged a potential blockbuster by industry analysts, it hasn't been approved by the FDA over concerns that it has been shown to increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. If, and when, the FDA approves this prescription drug, it will be marketed as Zimulti. However, it has been available in the European Union since 2006 under the name Acomplia.

Alli (orlistat)

Orlistat is a prescription drug used to treat obesity. Alli is a reduced-strength version of Orlistat and is available over-the-counter, but it is still recommended that you consult your doctor before taking it. Alli helps weight loss by preventing fat in the food you eat from being absorbed in the body, specifically by the intestines. The undigested fat is removed from your body through bowel movements. By decreasing the absorption of fat in the body, Alli essentially reduces the number of calories you absorb.

You should know that while Alli works to keep fat from being broke down and stored in the body, if you eat too much fat you may experience loose, oily stools. Some people report having "accidents" and problems with leading and soiling. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended you limit your fat intake per meal to 15 grams or less.

Supplements

Don't take any kind of diet supplements until you know what they are, even if they claim to be "natural." Just because they are natural doesn't mean they are good for you. For instance, bitter orange extract is being used as an ephedra replacement in many diet supplements. As you probably know, ephedra was banned because it caused adverse reaction in people, including several strokes and deaths.

Two supplements which seem safe and may aid in weight loss are hoodia gordonii and green tea extract. Hoodia is a natural appetite suppressant that has virtually no side effects. Green tea contains EGCG, an antioxidant that may help boost metabolism, according to some studies.

Diet pills - do they work for weight loss? As you can see, that depends. Some of the pills listed here may be beneficial and worth talking to your doctor about. Supplements may be a better alternative but there is no guarantee either that they are safer or equally as effective. Diet and exercise are the only tried and true methods for effective, long-term weight loss. However, if you feel compelled to try a diet pill or supplement, keep their limited role in perspective and always be sure to talk to your doctor first!

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

Are hoodia diet pills a better option to prescription pills? Learn more about hoodia gordonii side effects here and get brand reviews and recommendations.

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