For those who want to lose weight without much efforts, fat burning pills may appear the easiest option. This article is about the various aspects of these products, including the safety concerns.
With more and more people vying for a perfect figure, the different means and methods for weight loss, are also gaining momentum. Achieving weight loss and maintaining an ideal weight with a perfect figure have always been considered healthy. Different products, diet plans, and exercise programs have been developed throughout the decades. The latest fad is fat burning pills, that come in various types.
What are Fat Burning Pills?
As the name suggests, fat burning pills are meant for reducing the fat deposits in the body. Different types of fat burning pills are available in the market today. The working mechanism may vary from one type to another. In general, these pills work on the principles of increased metabolism, appetite suppression, or blocking fat absorption in the body. While some of them contain natural ingredients, like apple cider vinegar and green tea extract, others contain man-made chemicals.
Nowadays, you may come across separate fat burning pills for men and women. It is claimed that, those meant for men are beneficial for muscle building; whereas those for women is good for reducing body fat from areas, like thighs. These pills contain hormones too. There are certain types that are meant for both men and women.
However, these are said to be mere marketing gimmicks. Fat burning pills are now easily available in health stores, and are also sold online. As they are categorized as weight loss supplements, most of these products are not regulated by the FDA.
Are They Effective?
It is natural for a person to get inquisitive about the effectiveness of a product, that he/she is about to use. This curiosity tends to be higher, in case of health-related products, like diet pills; that are meant for quick weight loss without much efforts. All you have to do is pop the pills at stipulated intervals.
In fact, there is no scientific backing for the effectiveness of fat burning pills, and some of them are found to be of no use. However, some types may cause a temporary weight loss; which may get reversed once the person stops using the pills. In some cases, fat burning pills are found to be effective, when combined with diet control and exercises. Fat burning pills are also associated with some side effects.
Are They Safe?
These pills are composed of various ingredients, and some of them can be harmful to the body. In such cases, the user may experience side effects that may vary with the type of pill. The common side effects are insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. Some users may experience irregular heart beats, chest pain, vision problems, dry mouth, anxiety, and seizures. Women may confront problems related to menstrual cycle. Some people develop addiction too.
As mentioned above, there are no strict standards for manufacturing fat burning pills, and these products are not regulated by the FDA. However once the product is launched in the market, the FDA can recall those that are found to be harmful. Some of the ephedra-based (extract of the plant Ephedra sinica) fat burning pills have been recalled by the FDA, as major side effects were experienced by users. They include increased heart rate and high blood pressure.
Apart from pills containing ephedra as the main ingredient; others with ingredients that are chemically similar to ephedra (like, bitter orange), and those with traces of ephedra, may also cause side effects. Even some of the hydroxycut products are prohibited due to the possibilities of liver damage and jaundice.
Chitosan is a shellfish derivative, that is found as the main ingredient in some fat burning pills. It can cause side effects, like stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, etc. While green tea extract may cause gastrointestinal problems, along with insomnia and dizziness; caffeine is associated with headaches, anxiety, sleep problems, tinnitus, and confusion.
Another common ingredient in fat burning pills is CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), which may increase the risk of heart diseases; apart from causing side effects, like stomach upset and nausea. Guar gum is also linked to gastrointestinal problems.
In short, exercise and diet control are always preferred to supplements, to achieve weight loss. Remember the saying, “Rome was not built in a day”. So, forget the short cuts, and put in some real efforts to get that perfect figure. If you want to use fat burning pills, seek the opinion of your health care provider.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
