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All About Diet Pills
Most diet pill manufacturers advertise their products as being safe and natural. These pills are often promoted as providing other health benefits in addition to weight loss like increased energy or longevity.
Because many of these claims are not endorsed by the FDA, it is import that you consult with a doctor before using diet pills as a calorie substitute. Here are just a few other precautions you should take when using diet pills:
o Always swallow the pill whole with a beverage. Orange juice and other acidic fruit juices will help your body to break the pill down, but crushing the pill to put in a beverage or food may be dangerous.
o Many diet pills also act as diuretics, encouraging the rapid digestion of any fluids in your body. This may lead to dehydration, making it crucial for all diet pill users to drink a healthy amount of water (eight glasses a day) while using the pills.
o Diet pills are already dosed for full effectiveness. Taking more than the prescribed amount may increase side effects but not weight loss.
o Check your pulse regularly. Your heart should maintain a steady pulse of 86 beats per minute or less. If it rises above 90 for a prolonged period of time, discontinue use of the diet pills immediately.
o To get the best results from your diet pills, consult your doctor or physician for additional instructions and for assistance in formulating a complimentary diet plan.
o The most common active ingredient in diet pills (phenylpropanolamine) is only safe to use for a duration of sixteen weeks. Other diet pills may cause serious health problems if used for as little as one month. Contact the manufacturer for recommended length of use, and as a general rule discontinue the use of any diet pill after three months.
Diet pills can be attained two ways. Some diet pills will require an initial consultation and prescription from a doctor, while others can be purchased over-the-counter.
Prescription pills are required to undergo clinical tests that monitor both effectiveness and risks. These pills have been approved by the FDA under regulation of licensed physicians. One popular prescription diet pill is Xenical.
A popular benefit of Xenical is that it is safe for long-term use, but as with any diet pill (prescription or non-prescription), it does have side effects. As part of your consultation, your doctor will advise you on a diet plan that best combats the side effects of the diet pill they have prescribed.
Non-prescription diet pills have not undergone the testing required to be endorsed by the FDA. There is no guarantee of the benefits promoted by these pills, and some may have serious side effects including risk of death, specifically to those people with pre-existing heart conditions.
Consult with a doctor before starting any diet plan, whether or not it includes diet pills, and avoid diet pills altogether if you or your family has a history of thyroid or blood sugar disorders, mental illness, high cholesterol or blood pressure, or heart disease.
Other prescription medicines may interfere with the effectiveness of certain diet pills and even cause additional side effects. As always, a healthy diet and exercise are the safest and healthiest way to lose weight.
