“Lose Weight While You Sleep!” “Drop 30 Pounds in Thirty Days!” Are these statements too good to be true? Everyone has seen these types of advertisements, but are they true? The fact is that Americans spend $30 billion each year on weight loss supplements. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 50 million Americans will go on a diet this year. Only 5 percent will be successful in taking the weight off and keeping it off. When trying a weight loss supplement, watch out for these words:
- Easy
- Effortless
- Guaranteed
- Miraculous
- Magical
- Breakthrough
- New discovery
- Mysterious
- Exotic
- Secret
- Exclusive
- Ancient
They are oftentimes included in ads and other materials to help intrigue your interest, but may have different meanings than you realize. Studies have been conducted to determine if weight loss supplements are really effective in the constant battle to maintain a healthy weight. Twelve supplements were studied and only two, ephedra and chromium picolinate, were effective for weight loss.
Ephedra worked the best with modest and short-term weight loss. However, because Ephedra can increase the heart rate and constrict blood vessels, heart palpitations were a common side effect. The FDA has prohibited the sale of weight loss supplements containing ephedra, and products containing this substance will be removed from weight loss products in the near future. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has banned only 111 other ingredients in weight loss products in the past.
Chromium piclinate, was shown to be moderately effective as a weight loss supplement. This trace mineral enhances the activity of insulin and reduces body fat.
Consumers should be wary of claims that you can lose weight effortlessly. The only proven way to lose weight is to decrease the calories you consume and exercise more.
Consumers should not use the following products:
- Diet Patches that are worn on the body. These have not been proven to be safe or effective.
- Fat Blockers that claim to absorb fat and block the fat that you eat.
- Starch Blockers that allegedly block or impede starch digestion. The claim is unproven that this actually works, and users have experienced side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pains.
- Glucomannan, a supposed Oriental root. Little evidence supports that this plant is effective against weight loss.
- Spirulina, a type of blue algae. This has not been proven effective for losing weight.
Weight loss supplements are not the quick fix for losing weight. They may help over a short period of time, but the only miracle cure for overweight America is to learn to eat healthy and to exercise on a regular basis. These supplements can control your appetite, but can cause serious side effects. Before taking any type of weight loss product, check with your doctor. Your family doctor can determine your proper body weight limits.
Other suggestions to help you lose weight in a healthy and effective manner are to:
- Eat smaller portions and choose from a variety of foods.
- Load up on foods naturally high in fiber: fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
- Limit portions of foods high in fat: dairy products like cheese, butter, and whole milk; red meat; cakes; and pastries.
- Exercise at least three times a week.
By R. S. Wagner