Americans fail to realize that there are no quick fixes for weight loss. Yet, millions of us shell out billions of dollars each year, only to find weight loss products that are big on talk and low on results. Failure leads to depression. Depression leads to overeating. Thus, the cycle of America’s obesity epidemic continues.
Special diets, pills, lotions and potions are bought at an alarming rate. Even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved some of these weight loss products, consumers will buy them anyway, probably out of desperation.
The following is a list of popular weight loss products that have been deemed unsafe and/or unproven to work for long-term weight loss results:
- Fat blocking pills - supposedly absorbs fat, yet no scientific evidence has been found to support such a claim.
- Diet patches - companies claim that while these patches are on your body, you will lose weight. These claims have been unfounded. In fact, they may be unsafe.
- Diet pills - probably one of the most popular products on the market because they vary. While weight loss has been reported, it is usually temporary or water-based weight loss.
- “Electrical muscle stimulators” - named so by the FDA’s official website, these devices are great for physical therapy, not weight loss. If used improperly, it could lead to burns or electrical shock.
- Liquid diets - you will be amazed at your weight loss, then horrified of your immediate weight gain.
- Fad diets - you cannot paint all diets in one stroke, but there are some that do nothing at all. There are some diets that last for only one week, five days, or even three days! Do not bother with these diets; you are only dooming yourself to failure.
- Diuretics - this age-old weight loss secret is popular with people with eating disorders. The only weight loss results that you will see will be water-weight loss.
Today, the low-carb craze is sweeping the nation. Many doctors and dieticians are wary about the various cookbooks, diet plans, and products available that cater to the special diet. Weight loss may be achieved, but no one is sure of the long-term effects on the body’s vital organs.
When taking a supplement for weight loss, it is advised that you should still eat fewer calories because eating more would defeat the purpose of your ultimate goal. There were a lot of over-the-counter weight loss products that contain PPA or Phenylpropanolamine, a drug that has been linked to bleeding in the brain. Because of that FDA warning, many companies that pedal these diet products have eliminated the drug from their pills’ ingredients.
Ephedra (Ma Huang) was once apart of the diet craze, but since its warnings of high blood pressure, insomnia, stroke, and even death, the FDA banned the drug in late 2003. People still continue to take the drug, however. In 1997, Fen-Phen was banned in the United States because the drug makers received numerous complaints about heart problems and reports of death.
Many companies who sell these products claim that its products are safe because they are made from natural ingredients. These products are made from herbs and natural elements but that does not guarantee results or even your health. If you want to get healthy the right way, exercise and eat a balanced diet. But before you get to work, consult your doctor because there is no set weight loss plan for everyone.
By Michelle Presbury