| It has been estimated that as much as 65% of | | | | commercial sales.o St. John's wort - this herbal |
| adult Americans are suffering from obesity. This | | | | product is mainly used as an antidepressant and |
| does not include those suffering from morbid | | | | has recently been used for weight loss. However, |
| obesity, an extreme form of the disease. Every | | | | little research has been conducted on the |
| year, the numbers continue to increase, and even | | | | effectiveness of this drug on weight loss. It also |
| children are getting affected. That is why extra | | | | contains the active ingredient ephedra.o |
| measures are being taken to curb the spread of | | | | 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) - this ingredient is |
| this disease. | | | | extracted from a West African plant seed and |
| About obesity | | | | can be harmful to the liver in large doses.o |
| Simply put, obesity is the accumulation of body | | | | Chitosan - a dietary supplement made from chitin, |
| fat in the body. It can be measured roughly | | | | a starch found in the skeleton of shrimp, crab, |
| through the body mass index (BMI). The BMI is | | | | and other shellfish. It works by binding with fatty |
| the proportion of your height to your weight. | | | | foods and removing them from your body.o |
| Morbid obesity is an extreme form of obesity, | | | | Chromium - a nutrient believed to enhance the |
| affecting those who are more than 100 lbs. | | | | effect of insulin, thereby making the breakdown |
| overweight and have a BMI of over 40. If left | | | | of carbohydrates faster.o Conjugated linoleic acid |
| untreated, obesity can lead to serious health | | | | (CLA) - believed to reduce body fat, decrease |
| complications like heart disease, high blood | | | | appetite, and build body muscle. However, studies |
| pressure, and diabetes. | | | | have shown that CLA has side effects including |
| Finding the cure | | | | diarrhea, indigestion and other gastrointestinal |
| According to reports, Americans spend as much | | | | problems.o Hoodia - otherwise known as Oprah's |
| as $56 billion on weight loss products, including | | | | weight loss secret, this dietary supplement claims |
| weight loss pills, exercise, and surgery. However, | | | | to help suppress appetite. |
| because of all the media hype on being thin, over | | | | Pitfalls |
| the counter weight loss product has become | | | | Because of the influx of weight loss products sold |
| widely popular. But here's the catch: of the billions | | | | over the counter, users should be extra careful |
| spent on weight loss products, around $6 billion | | | | when buying them. A lot of over the counter |
| goes to ineffective and sometimes even harmful | | | | weight loss product come without sufficient |
| over the counter weight loss product. | | | | scientific studies to support their claims. Add to |
| How it works | | | | that all the media hype on their effectiveness, and |
| An over the counter weight loss product mainly | | | | it is almost impossible to fully scrutinize the |
| consists of appetite suppressants and fat burners. | | | | effects of each over the counter weight loss |
| Suppressants work by "tricking" the body into | | | | product. Scientists are being bombarded by the |
| thinking that it is full. Meanwhile, fat burners block | | | | constant emergence of new weight loss products, |
| natural chemicals that help the body break down | | | | and they can't possibly review each of them. As |
| fat. At first, using these pills can be good, even | | | | a consumer, it is your responsibility to judge each |
| effective. However, fraudulent products can lead | | | | product yourself. |
| to serious complications. | | | | Tips |
| Commonly used weight loss products | | | | As consumers, scrutiny and curiosity are the best |
| Below are some of the commonly used over the | | | | weapons against fraudulent weight loss producta. |
| counter weight loss product:o Ephedra - this is the | | | | Do not just trust an over the counter weight loss |
| most common type of over the counter weight | | | | product because it was endorsed by a celebrity. |
| loss product. Its active ingredient, ephedrine, is | | | | Do your own research about the drug, its |
| mainly used to cure asthma, but it can also | | | | ingredients, and its possible side effects. Better |
| suppress your appetite. However, recent studies | | | | yet, consult with a professional on what steps to |
| have shown that this drug has serious side | | | | take. Here are other tips:o If you immediately |
| effects such as high blood pressure, irregular | | | | notice any side effects, stop taking the drug and |
| heartbeat, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, | | | | see a doctor immediately.o It is best not to take |
| seizures, heart attacks, strokes and even death. | | | | diet pills if you are pregnant or are attempting to |
| In 2004, FDA officially banned this product from | | | | become pregnant. |