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About Diet Pills - General Information
With over 38 million Americans meeting the classification for obesity, it is no wonder that the use of both over the counter and prescription diet pills has risen in recent years.
People who have been fighting their weight unsuccessfully for a long period of time often seek out prescription medications, in the hopes of losing the weight once and for all.
However, it is important to realize that there is no magic pill that will make you shed the weight without changing any of the habits that contributed to your weight gain in the first place. But, what prescription weight loss pills can do is give you a jumpstart on your weight loss program by helping you shed some initial pounds in a quick manner.
Prescription weight loss pills are designed for short-term use only and the brain develops a tolerance for their action after about 12 weeks. By that time, you should have lost enough weight to give you a feeling of progress, which can help keep you motivated and inspired to keep losing once you have stopped taking the medication. During this time, you will also be able to get a good start on changing your diet and adding exercise to your daily schedule.
Choosing a Diet Pill
In order to decide which diet pill to take, you should be sure to learn about them. If you are considering an over the counter medication, be sure to read the label and warnings on the label thoroughly. Many over the counter varieties are useless, or dangerous, or both.
Herbal weight loss pills can be equally as dangerous. It is important to remember that over the counter or natural does not mean safe. You should only consider using pills that have been approved as safe by a competent authority.
Prescription weight loss pills are subject to approval under much tighter guidelines by the FDA. The FDA requires that all prescription drugs be safe and effective and that their benefits outweigh their risks.
Prescription diet pills are made to improve your metabolic rate or suppress your appetite. Ingredients often found in prescription weight loss pills (besides the stimulants) are Carnitine and Chromium. Both of them play an important part in supporting different aspects of metabolic function.
The Benefits and Risks
Many people need more than just a diet and exercise plan. They need the mental and physical support offered by diet pills, especially if they are seriously overweight or obese. The loss of weight while taking the medication can often help motivate them to continue on with a healthier lifestyle to keep the weight lost off and to continue losing. It is important to remember that a healthier lifestyle is the only way to achieve permanent weight loss.
As with any drug, all prescription weight loss pills have some degree of potential health risks. For example, some weight loss drugs have been associated with elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure and heart failure.
It is important that you are completely honest with your doctor during your consultation and that you follow the instructions that come with the medication. In addition, if you experience any of the side effects listed in the pamphlet that comes with your medication, you should contact the prescribing doctor.
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