Diet Pills
Surf the net for information to help you lose weight and
chances are you’ll come across plenty of sites selling diet
pills. But is it worth spending £££s in an attempt to lose lbs.
Weight Loss Resources dietitian Juliette Kellow reports...
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Diet Pills Online Review
By WLR Dietitian
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‘Fool your brain into thinking you’re full!’, ‘Eat all your
favourite foods but still lose weight!’, ‘Fire up your body’s
fat-burning furnace!’.
These are just a few of the claims you’ll
find on websites that sell pills to help you lose weight. And
with the promise that you can eat what you want but still lose
large amounts of weight in a short amount of time, it’s
unsurprising many of us our tempted to buy and try.
But is it safe to buy diet pills from the net and if not,
what are the dangers of diet pills purchased online?
For many diet pills available online, there’s often very
little research – if any at all – to prove their ingredients
will actually help you shift those pounds. And even if research
has been carried out, it’s usually only one or two small
studies, the results of which haven’t been repeated or seen in
larger studies.
In reality, most dietitians agree that any weight loss
achieved is usually due to a change in lifestyle rather than the
pills themselves. Indeed, many diet pills come with a
reduced-calorie diet (although this is often called an eating
plan) and advice to drink large amounts of water every day. It’s
the reduction in calories that causes weight loss, while
drinking lots of water helps to prevent hunger kicking in, so
that just as the packaging claims, ‘you lose weight, without
feeling hungry’!
Even if pills don’t come with a diet, there’s
evidence that some people unconsciously change their eating and
exercise habits for the better when taking a pill they believe
will help them lose weight. So again, it’s far more likely to be
diet and exercise that result in weight loss rather than
anything magic in the pill.
Meanwhile, many diet pills sold online provide very little
information about what they contain, how they supposedly work,
for whom they are suitable or any potential side effects. This
lack of information poses a real health hazard as certain
ingredients in slimming pills may interact with other prescribed
medications or be unsuitable for people with medical conditions
such as diabetes or high blood pressure – both of which are more
common in people who are overweight or obese.
And if you’re still tempted to buy, don’t be fooled into
thinking you’ll receive more information with the product.
Chances are, you won’t!
Even more sinister is the fact that some slimming pills sold
on the net contain herbal ingredients that are banned in some
countries because they’re considered to be harmful to health.
Worse still, there are no guidelines to control the claims or
descriptions made about these products. This means some of these
slimming products are described as ‘natural’, giving the
impression they are completely safe, when in fact, this couldn’t
be further from the truth.
Equally worrying is the fact you can buy slimming pills on
the net that should only be available on prescription, including
prescription-only slimming pills that are used in America but
not recommended in the UK. While more research has generally
been carried out on these types of drugs – and there’s more
evidence that they actually work – taking prescription-only
drugs without any medical checks can be potentially fatal,
especially for people with health problems such as high blood
pressure or heart disease. That’s why prescribable drugs should
only be taken under strict medical supervision, following an
initial assessment by a doctor and then regular follow ups
whilst taking the pills.
Meanwhile, it’s also important to avoid being fooled into
thinking that a product is safe or effective because of the type
of website it’s available from.
Many websites simply provide an online pharmacy, enabling
customers to buy a range of diet pills, often at discounted
prices. It’s obvious the main function of these sites, just like
any shop, is to make money. In contrast though, some websites
take a more subtle approach and are designed to look as though
they could be part of a medical establishment. They often
provide health or diet information and include pictures of
doctors and nurses to give the impression they are credible
organisations. Individual products may also include some
‘research’ or ‘testimonials’ from ‘doctors’ to support their
effectiveness. Ultimately though, just like the online
pharmacies, the main function of these sites is to sell slimming
supplements – and make money.
It’s worth bearing in mind that a lack of
information, little proof they work and potentially putting your
health at risk is not the only price you need to be prepared to
pay. Chances are you’ll definitely lose pounds – but most
significantly, from your pocket!
Instead, WLR recommends spending the cash you might be
tempted to fork out for pills, on your favourite healthy foods,
a gym membership, new clothes or a pampering treatment to keep
you motivated as you lose weight by safe and effective calorie
counting!
Here are just a few examples of some of the diet pills and
products you can
buy online…
Ephedra or ephedrine
Ephedra is also known as Ma Huang, a Chinese herb.
Its active ingredient is ephedrine, a ‘natural’ chemical that
stimulates the heart and nervous system. Ephedrine made in
laboratories is used in drugs to treat asthma and other
respiratory conditions. However, ephedrine has also been found
to suppress appetite, boost metabolism, enhance sports
performance and increase energy.
As a result, until recently, ephedra was often found in many
‘natural’ diet pills and supplements designed for athletes.
However, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – the
organisation responsible for ensuring that food and drugs are
safe for Americans – banned products containing ephedra in 2004,
saying there is ‘an unreasonable risk of illness or injury’ from
the use of the drug.
Following an extensive study looking at the drug, ephedra was
linked to psychiatric problems and was found to raise blood
pressure and put additional stress on the circulatory system,
leading to heart attacks and strokes.
While many products
removed ephedra from their products in response to this ban –
and started labelling themselves as ‘ephedra-free’ –
it’s still possible to buy products that contain ephedra on the net, although WLR actively discourages this.
Furthermore, many ephedra-free products now use Citrus
aurantium or bitter orange extract instead of ephedra. This
contains an active compound called synephrine, which is
chemically very similar to ephedrine. Like ephedrine, it acts as
a stimulant and is thought to boost energy levels and increase
metabolism, so that the body burns more calories. However, it’s
also thought to have similar side effects to ephedrine and so
WLR recommends avoiding products that contain it.
Sida cordifolia
Sida cordifolia is a plant that’s been used
in India for thousands of years to treat conditions such as
asthma, colds, flu and nasal congestion.
In the Western world,
it’s often used in diet pills. This is because, like ephedra,
Sida cordifolia contains ephedrine, although in smaller amounts.
It’s therefore a weaker stimulant, but nevertheless, it still
has many of the side effects and potential health risks and
dangers seen
with ephedra, particularly when it’s combined with other
stimulants such as caffeine.
Although the FDA has not banned
Sida cordifolia, it’s likely to have similar side effects to
ephedra and so WLR recommends avoiding products that contain it.
ECA Stack
The ECA Stack contains three drugs – ephedrine,
caffeine and aspirin – which, when combined, are thought to
boost metabolism even more than ephedrine alone. In particular,
this combination is potentially lethal for anyone with a heart
condition or high blood pressure as the drugs all act as
powerful stimulants. As products based on ECA combos contain
ephedrine, they carry the same health risks as products based on
ephedra alone. Meanwhile, other side effects include insomnia, a
dry mouth, irritability, stress, headaches, dizziness, nausea,
an irregular heartbeat and trembling hands.
Guarana or kola nut extract are often used to supply a
‘natural’ source of caffeine. Similarly, white willow bark is
often used to provide a ‘natural’ source of salicylates, the
main active ingredient in aspirin. Fortunately, following the
ban on ephedra, many ECA stack products have been discontinued.
However, similar products have sprung up in their place using
bitter orange extract or Sida cordifolia (see above) instead of
ephedra. Some examples of different Stacker 3 diet pills
available that are based on the principles of the ECA stack
include Herbal Thermo Stack E/C/A, Stacker 2 Ephedra Free and
Sida Cordifolia Complex. WLR doesn’t recommend these types of
products.
Caffeine-containing pills
Many diet pills contain caffeine,
usually in combination with several other stimulating
ingredients.
Some common examples of brands include Zantrex and Xenadrine,
together with those based on the principles of the ECA stack
(see above). The caffeine in these pills is often from plant
extracts such as guarana, yerba mate, green tea and kola nuts.
As a result, products are often described as being ‘herbal’ or
‘natural’, inferring they are completely safe. Caffeine
stimulates the central nervous system and supposedly boosts the
body’s potential to burn fat.
Ultimately though, most diet pills containing large amounts
of caffeine have similar unpleasant side effects to drinking
excessive amounts of coffee. These include anxiety, an increased
heart rate, raised blood pressure, nausea, diarrhoea,
restlessness, shaking, irritability and insomnia. Caffeine is
also addictive.
Consequently, WLR recommends avoiding diet pills containing
caffeine, especially if you have high blood pressure, thyroid
disease, diabetes or heart problems.
Phentermine
This is an appetite suppressant that’s available
on prescription in America, but not in the UK.
It’s chemically similar to the amphetamines and stimulates
the hypothalamus in the brain to increase the amount of two
neurotransmitters (chemicals) – dopamine and noradrenaline.
These neurotransmitters stimulate a fight or flight response in
the body, which in turn halts hunger and causes a loss of
appetite.
Phentermine can cause side effects such as an increased heart
rate, palpitations, insomnia, restlessness and raised blood
pressure. Plus, in the long term people taking this drug can
feel euphoric and so get addicted to it.
It’s unsuitable for people suffering with certain conditions
including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy
or thyroid problems and should only be used by people who have a
BMI of 28 or more.
Due to the potentially addictive nature of
this drug, the FDA recommends it’s only used for 12 weeks, in
combination with a diet and exercise plan and with medical
supervision. Adipex and Ionamin are two different brands of
phentermine.
It’s also worth pointing out that in the past, phentermine
was combined with one of two other appetite suppressant drugs –
fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine. However, these were withdrawn
in America in 1997 after research showed they increased the
chances of developing problems with the heart valves and high
blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). This
combination of drugs – sometimes known as fen-phen – hasn’t been
available in the UK since 2000.
Meanwhile, in Europe, the authorities that regulate drugs
think more research still needs to be carried out on phentermine
alone as it may also be linked with heart and lung problems. As
a result, phentermine is not available or prescribed in the UK
or the rest of Europe. Consequently, WLR doesn’t recommend
buying and trying phentermine.
Sibutramine
Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant that’s
available on prescription in the UK under the brand name
Reductil.
It works by indirectly boosting levels of serotonin and
noradrenaline in the brain – two neurotransmitters or chemicals
that act on the part of the brain that tells us how hungry or
full we feel. When there are more chemicals in this part of the
brain, the brain gets more messages to say we feel full. This
means we feel more satisfied with less food, so eat smaller
amounts and lose weight.
It’s clinically proven to help people lose weight but should
only be used under strict medical supervision and in conjunction
with diet and exercise advice. It’s only suitable for people
with a BMI of more than 30 or for people with a BMI of more than
27 who also have other health problems such as diabetes or high
blood cholesterol. It should also only be prescribed to people
in these categories who have found it difficult to lose weight
by diet and exercise alone.
As with any drug, there are side effects, which include
headaches, a dry mouth, constipation, difficulty sleeping, an
itchy runny nose, a dry, sore throat, raised blood pressure and
an increased heart rate.
WLR don’t recommend buying any prescription-only drugs from
the internet. If you think you might be a suitable candidate for
Reductil, see your GP for advice. Meridia is the brand name for
sibutramine in America. Other brand names for sibutramine
include Obestat, Sibutrex, Sibutrim and Leptos.
Orlistat
Orlistat is available on prescription in the UK and
goes under the brand name of Xenical.
It works by blocking the action of an enzyme called lipase
that digests fat in the intestine. This stops around 30 percent
of the fat you’ve eaten from being digested and therefore
absorbed back into the body. As a result, fat passes straight
out of your body into your stools. This, in turn, means you lose
around a third of the calories provided by this fat and so start
to lose weight!
It’s clinically proven to help people lose weight but should
only be used with a doctor’s consent and regular medical
follow-ups. It’s only suitable for people with a BMI of 30 or
more, or those with a BMI of 28 or more who have other health
problems. Before being prescribed this drug, you also need to be
able to demonstrate that you can lose at least 2.5kg in a month
by dieting and exercising alone – and you’ll need to continue
with a low-fat diet whilst taking the drug.
Orlistat can have some unpleasant side effects such as
frequent wind, an urgent need to go to the toilet, an oily
leakage from the bowels, nausea and vomiting. These occur as a
result of the extra fat that travels through the body without
being absorbed. Orlistat can also stop the absorption of
fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K and so your
doctor might recommend supplements of these.
WLR don’t recommend buying Xenical from the internet.
Instead, if you think you might be a suitable candidate for this
drug, see your GP for advice.
Hoodia
Hoodia is the latest buzzword in the world of diet
pills.
It’s actually a succulent plant that looks like a cactus and
is found in the Kalahari Desert. There are several species of
Hoodia plant, but it’s Hoodia gordonii that appears to have
slimming powers.
After hearing that Bushmen in the Kalahari had been eating
Hoodia for thousands of years to stave off hunger during long
trips into the desert, pharmaceutical companies started to take
an interest. Scientists discovered it contained a previously
unknown appetite suppressant, which they called P57. This
ingredient appears to have similar effects on the nerve cells in
the brain as glucose – after eating, the nerve cells sense
glucose and start firing to let you know that you’re full.
Hoodia appears to trick the brain into thinking you’ve eaten
by making these nerve cells fire as if you were full. However,
very few studies have been carried out to establish the safety
or effectiveness of Hoodia and it’s still unclear whether there
are any side effects associated with taking it, especially in
the long term. As a result, most doctors are unlikely to
recognise or recommend this product as an appetite suppressant
until considerably more research is carried out.
Nevertheless, in recent years Hoodia has been turned into
pills and sold as an appetite suppressant on the internet.
However, research shows that many of these products don’t
actually appear to contain the active ingredient that allegedly
suppresses appetite.
WLR recommends avoiding these diet pills until we know more
about the long-term effects of Hoodia gordonii.
Bonus Tip
With the apparent dangers of using diet pills which Juliette
has outlined, why take unnecessary risks?
Try this... Using the food
diary and tools in WLR can help you lose weight in a healthy
and sustainable manner without the need for diet pills.
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