Weight loss supplements, also known as nonprescription weight loss pills, can be purchased over-the-counter, and are usually a sweet escape for individuals desiring a magical solution to their weight problems. The biggest question mark is about these supplements’ effectiveness, possible side effects, and whether the experience is worthwhile in the long run.
The weight loss industry is a billion-dollar industry, so there are producers out there dwelling on greed and making false promises to their customers just to get in their pockets. They are not interested in what happens once their products are sold, and certainly don’t care about health. Some of these supplements’ ingredients are unknown to researchers, so the safety concern arises.
In other cases, studies have analyzed the dangerous aftermath of weight loss pills, and the use of notorious banned drugs as their ingredients. Take a look at the harmful substances that were found in the so-called 100% herbal and natural dietary pills:
METHYLSYNEPHRINE:
Also known as oxilofrine, this is a stimulus drug used in many countries for treating low blood pressure. This drug increases blood pressure and the volume of blood pumped by the heart, and so can prove seriously harmful for people with high blood pressure and undetected heart condition which could be adversely affected.
EPHEDRA:
Like methylsynephrine, this Chinese herbal stimulant was banned in 2004 in the US with the evidence that it increases the risk of heart attack or stroke, and was linked to a large number of hospitalizations and fatalities.
HYDROXYCUT:
These weight loss supplements can cause serious damage to the kidneys, liver and other vital organs. In 2009, Hydroxycut was recalled because of suggested evidence that it caused adverse reactions like jaundice and hepatitis. A couple of cases even revealed the death of a consumer; another ended up needing a liver transplant.
MERIDIA:
This drug was withdrawn from the market in 2010 after clinical research proved the drug could cause serious heart problems and cardiovascular damage.
It should be noted that not all weight loss supplements are bad, and there are weight loss pills out there that actually work and don’t put your health at stake. However, others still make use of ruthless ingredients, promising overnight weight shedding. Be reasonable to yourself, and go through a thorough background and ingredients check before going for these supplements so you can lose weight successfully and safely.
