Top 5 Dangerous Weight Loss Methods To Avoid

Weight Loss Supplements That Can Do More Harm Than Good

When you talk about weight loss, everybody yearns for it but rarely do they want to put in the work to get the desired results. But contrary to every new magical weight loss marketing strategy, there is no magic pill. Sure you can take something that will help you drop pounds for the short term, but they all inevitably have some downfall. Either you’ll gain the pounds back as soon as you stop taking the pill or it can cause other long term health issues.

Losing weight and looking great is awesome, but at what cost do you want to shortcut the true, permanent and healthy path to your perfect body? It’s extremely important to really do your homework and identify the truth behind all the hype of the next new miracle diet supplement.

Below is an outline of the potential dangers associated with some of the new weight loss methods and the new marketing catch phrases that gets you hooked to the wrong way to lose weight and stay healthy. Needless to say, no matter what you choose, you should always consult your physician before you take anything!

Prescription Diet Pills

Amphetamines, anti-obesity drugs, anorexiants or whatever you want to call them, are mostly available only by prescription, but most doctors are cautious to prescribe them these days. While they do suppress appetite, it teaches you nothing about healthy eating and exercise. And if you don’t change your eating habits and get the exercise required, you are very likely to gain the weight back the moment you stop taking them. Not too mention, they can be habit forming. Some unwanted side effects include high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, sleeplessness, hallucinations and delusions. Sounds like a trade of you don’t want or need.

Prescription weight loss drugs may be an option for patients who have serious health risks, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol and have a hard time controlling their weight with diet and exercise alone. Weight loss drugs should not be used as a substitute for healthy eating and a regular exercise program.

Ephedra as a Diet Supplement

Ephedra has been argued about for over 20 years when it comes to it’s safety. This all natural Asian herb is found in many herbal remedies and weight loss powders. It has a powerful appetite suppressant effect. Ephedra contains a chemical called ephedrine. Ephedrine stimulates the heart, the lungs, and the nervous system and has been implicated in over 70 deaths. Ephedra is banned in the U.S. due to safety concerns. In 1997, the FDA proposed restrictions on the ephedrine content of dietary supplements, new warning labels for products that contain the active ingredients in ephedra, and a ban on combination products containing ephedra and other natural stimulants. December 30, 2003, the FDA announced the complete ban of ephedra products in the U.S.

Ephedra use is also banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, International Olympic Committee, and National Football League. need I say more? Steer clear of this one..

Phentermine Fenfluramine-phentermine (fen-phen)

Fen-phen was a popular weight loss supplement in the 90s until it was implicated in deaths due to heart-valve damage. The diet-drug is a combination of fenfluramine and phenteramine, commonly known as fen-phen, but was removed from the market but Phentermine alone is still sold in many weight loss products. Some side effects include headaches, dizziness, heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure and insomnia, definitely not worth it.

People still looking for fen-phen for weight loss are turning to the still available herbal Phen-fen, which can be bought in drugstores and health food stores. The idea is that the combination of fenfluramine which raises the level of the chemical serotonin in the brain making you feel full, and phenteramine, which increased the metabolic rate so that you burn up more calories. One big issue with herbal Phen-fen is that it also contains ephedra, which outlined above, is banned and very dangerous.

Laxatives for Weight Loss Issues

One of those popular home remedies, used for purging. A recent study of the weirdest weight loss methods shows that 47% of women trying to lose weight turned to laxatives, this topped the list. But the kicker is, they knew about the side effects and potential dangers? Using laxatives tend to give people a false sense of being cleansed. Although you might have some quick weight loss, most of it is from loss of water. Once the laxative use is stopped, most, if not all, the weight lost will return fairly quickly. Laxative use, also cleanses you of important nutrients and calories, affecting your natural fat absorption, and upsetting your electrolyte levels.

If that’s not enough to stop you from using them then check out this list of possible consequences from taking laxatives to lose weight are: stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting from damaged stomach lining, diarrhea which causes dehydration, rectal bleeding from too frequent bowel movements, fainting, dizziness, Electrolyte Imbalance which starts a whole new line of side effects, damage to the gastrointestinal tract which can be permanent.Regular use and abuse of laxatives can result in low potassium’s, arrhythmia and pancreatic damage.

Artificial Sweeteners to Lose Weight

Aspartame, although the most commonly used artificial sweetener, made from amino acids phenylalanine and aspartic acid. It has been implicated in many lawsuits alleging damages that include blindness, seizures and brain damage. Some researchers actually go as far as calling it a poison. As for weight loss, it’s far from helpful, actually it’s the opposite of helpful. You may be surprised, but research has repeatedly shown that artificial no-calorie or low-calorie sweeteners are just bad news for weight loss… Contrary to what we’ve been taught, studies have found that artificial sweeteners such as aspartame can stimulate your appetite, increase carbohydrate cravings and stimulate fat storage and weight gain.

Listen, although weight loss and looking great is something we all want, it should be reached in the right way. A way that teaches you how to eat right, get the proper exercise and live a long healthy life. Looking for short term results while jeopardizing your long term health with weight loss supplements is a gamble no one should take, it really is just as easy once you get into a routine and you’ll be much happier you did.