We all desperately want to shed pounds and maintain our best figure. We exercise. We eat clean. But it’s exhausting when we can’t reach our goal, right? We hear about people all the time who are unhappy with their self-image and suffer from serious eating disorders as a result.
So we pop a few diet pills. Why not? They all promise the same thing – to curb hunger, increase energy, and burn fat in no time. They are easy to get. You can find them online, in pharmacies, and in the health food and grocery stores. The routine starts with taking one or two pills as directed. After about a month or so, you increase the dose and take the pills more often because the results are less than desired.
Does this sound familiar? Do not feel embarrassed to say “yes.” You are not the only person who can relate to abusing highly-addictive diet pills. They are full of caffeine, amphetamines, and herbal stimulants, which are classified as “natural and safe,” but severely affect your central nervous system.
Be Cautious of Harmful Diet Pill Ingredients
Most diet pills contain an appetite suppressant medication. It stimulates the release of brain chemicals which reduce your sensation of hunger. Diet pills are also known for increasing energy levels and stamina, and create a sense of euphoria. If your diet pills were prescribed by a doctor, or you purchased them over the counter, how can they be bad? They not only contain addictive ingredients, but many diet pills are unregulated and contain hidden contaminants that are dangerous to your health.
These are some of the potentially life-threatening ingredients to watch out for in diet pills, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.
1. Ephedra or Ephedrine –
This was banned in the U.S.; it causes high blood pressure, increased heart rate, irregular heart rate, heart attack, and stroke.
2. Bitter Orange or Synephrine –
Similar to Ephedra; causes headaches, vomiting, insomnia, high blood pressure, fainting, heart attack, and stroke.
3. Sibutramine –
A powerful stimulant that increases heart rate, arrhythmias, and stroke; it was removed from the market in 2010, but several weight-loss drugs have been illegally spiked with it.
4. Fenproporex –
A stimulant not approved for use in the U.S.; it is converted to amphetamine in the body and might cause heart arrhythmias and possible even sudden death. It might also be addictive.
5. Phenolphthalein –
An ingredient that was in some laxative products until 1999, when the Federal Drug Administration declared that it was “not generally recognized as safe and effective.” It has been found to be a hidden ingredient in several diet pills.
The FDA issued more than 30 public notifications and recalled seven tainted weight-loss products in 2014. The agency also has issued warning letters, seized products, and criminally prosecuted people responsible for marketing illegal diet pills. This proves how unsafe diet pills are, and that an addiction to them is as serious as someone’s addiction to heroin, cocaine, or other illegal street drugs.
In a special ABC report (http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=124290&page=1) in April, 20/20 investigated three common gimmicks used in diet pill commercials that play with the truth from manipulating photos and quoting experts who are not what they seem to ads that hype up claims without valid scientific support. ABC warned viewers never to underestimate doctor endorsements or medical miracle claims. They further explained how low some marketers will go to sell you a “magic” pill when the only real magic is diet, exercise, and a healthy dose of skepticism.
How to Lose Weight Without Diet Pills ?
There is no such thing as quick and easy weight loss. Fad diets, diet pills, and fat-burning clothing promise miracles every year and we end up disappointed. And the extreme dieting trends that do work are just a temporary fix to reach your desired body image goal. Try the following weight loss suggestions to safely shed pounds without compromising your health.
- Eat breakfast everyday
- Consume more protein
- Establish a time at night when you will stop eating and stick to it to avoid late-night munchies
- Experts say to brush your teeth after dinner, which can help curb cravings
- Choose water or low-calorie beverages to satisfy your thirst
- Include strength training in your exercise routine
- Get rid of the guilt and don’t beat yourself up if you enjoy a “bad” snack every once in a while
- Seek help from a dietician or nutritionist if you are overwhelmed with the process or don’t know how to get started
- Sleep is your secret weapon. Getting less than seven to eight hours a night has been linked to higher rates of weight gain and obesity
- Be consistent and stay committed to your new routine
You are in charge of your body and your health. Be safe and not sorry. Make a lasting change by ditching the unreliable quick fix to try healthy ways to lose weight for good.
Ben Emerling is a content writer based in Metro Detroit. Blogger by day and avid sports enthusiast by night, Ben uses his creative writing skills to help others achieve sobriety www.eliterehabplacement.com . Having previously interned for 12up, Ben dedicates himself to health, wellness, team sports, and living sober. Check out his sports articles, and say hi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benny.emerling
