Each year, increasing numbers of people around the world are becoming overweight; the worrying factor is that school children are also affected by this, according to recent studies. To cure this problem, some people have resorted to surgical measures whereas others have decided that adjustments to their food intake and an increase in physical activity are necessary. Of course if you are really in a hurry then you can always use weight loss medication to speed the process up.
The drugs work by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain, making it believe that the stomach is already full, thereby, increasing the person’s metabolic rate. Unfortunately for the manufacturers, it was found that incidence of heart valve disease were connected to the use of the weight control pills and were rapidly removed from the shelves. More recently, new drugs have been developed and prescribed by doctors; many of which are still waiting for FDA approval.
These weight loss pills have become popular and you can almost guarantee that you will know of someone who has tried them with success. This is obviously a very tempting prospect, to lose weight whilst eating the same diet. The weight loss drug manufacturers have spent a huge sum on research but this cannot be compared to the amount spent by consumers.
The more recent weight control pills can be prescribed by your doctor, dietitian or purchased in a drug store and despite the advances made in the drug manufacture, there are still dangers including vomiting and stomach problems. Surprisingly more dangerous side effects exist including stroke, heart attack, renal failure to name only a few, so these drugs are still far from safe to use.
The best course of action before taking any type of pill is to consult your doctor; here are many factors that could contribute to any problems you experience and these do not necessarily stop when you cease taking the pills. Problems like depression, nausea, bad mood swings, nightmares, insomnia for example have all been reported when a person has stopped taking the weight control pills.
Whilst the effectiveness of these weight loss drugs is not in question, they are more effective if they are used alongside a controlled diet and exercise regime. A diet that is full of foods such as oats, rice, cereals, potatoes, vegetables and fruits contain a good supply of vitamins, minerals and essential fiber.
Of course this should always be combined with a good exercise routine which will use up excess calories and provide a good all round fitness workout. The most efficient exercise should be regular and contain a mixture of cardiovascular (walking, swimming etc.) and weight training using machines to build muscle, burn off excess calories and lose the extra pounds.