Losing weight isn’t easy. Many people spend months depriving themselves of food and over-exerting themselves with exercise and still don’t see the results they are hoping for. The promise of taking a pill that will help them reach their weight loss goals can be awfully tempting.
There are several weight loss pills on the market that may lure people in with their promise of helping them achieve optimal fitness. But do they really work? Read on to find out.
Do OTC Drugs Work?
There are a variety of OTC drugs on the market that promise to help you lose weight. They will typically contain ingredients such as botanicals, dietary fiber, caffeine, and minerals. In most cases, the amount of scientific information on these ingredients varies wildly making it difficult to come up with a logical conclusion on how effective they can be in aiding weight loss.
Furthermore, the variety of ingredients in each product make it nearly impossible to determine how effective each ingredient is on its own. Its effects can also change when it’s combined with other ingredients. Dosage amounts and active components also play a role in how well the product will help you reach your weight loss goals.
Consumers must also consider that weight loss supplements, like other supplements, are not approved by the FDA. Therefore, they may contain excessive amounts of caffeine and other ingredients that can produce harmful side effects.
What About Doctor Prescribed Weight Loss Medications?
Weight loss medications may be prescribed to people that have obesity that’s threatening their health. They may be prescribed to someone with a BMI over 30 or to someone with a BMI over 27 with other health conditions.
The pills are not a magic cure, but they help you lose 3% – 12% of your total body weight. This is enough to reduce health risks. If combined with the right diet and exercise routine, they may help you reach your fitness goals.
Here are some drugs that are commonly prescribed.
- Liraglutide mimics the hormone that tells your brain your stomach is full.
- Tirzepatide activates hormone receptors that increase blood sugar control.
- Naltrexone HCL and bupropion are combined into the drug Contrave which is used to treat depression, seasonal affective disorder, and addiction to opioids, alcohol, and nicotine.
- Orlistat stops your body from absorbing a third of the fat you eat.
- Phentermine is an amphetamine that curbs your appetite. It can also be combined with topiramate to produce similar results.
- Semaglutide imitates an intestinal organ that stimulates insulin production lowering your appetite and making you feel full.
- Setmalanotide is prescribed only to people who have certain rare inherited conditions. It doesn’t treat these conditions, but it keeps weight under control by making you feel fuller and helping you burn calories.
A magic pill may seem like the ideal option in helping you lose weight. But beware as some are not all they are cracked up to be. OTC options are dubious, and prescription choices are only prescribed in emergency situations. A healthy diet and exercise routine is really the best solution.
Here’s hoping you stay fit and healthy.
