Weight Loss Tablets: Help or Hype?

There have been several studies released showing that a growing percentage of the American population is overweight. More importantly, these studies indicate that a significant number of children - some just starting school - are overweight.

What has caused this increase in overweight people in the population? Several factors have been pointed out as contributing to this trend. One of the biggest contributors is fast food that contains a high amount of saturated fat. Many processed foods also contribute the problem, along with refined sugar, foods with low fiber content and overeating in general. Genetics and the decrease in metabolism that occurs with age are also factors.

Losing weight properly takes time and patience. There are many people who see themselves as having neither the time nor patience to shed the weight and opt to loose their weight as quickly as possible - with weight loss tablets.

Starting in the 50's and on into the 90's, doctors often prescribed specific drugs to assist in weight loss. These drugs increased the brain's serotonin level, which made the brain sense that the stomach was full and in turn, increased the person's metabolism.

When the medical profession discovered that these medications had harmful side effects related to heart valve failure, the drugs were quickly taken off the market.

Within a few years, modified versions of these drugs were developed, along with newer drugs, and doctors began prescribing them again. There are several other new drugs awaiting FDA approval.

The reintroduction of these drugs as given some people the impression that one pill can eliminate the need to diet or change other habits. This perception and temptation is easy to understand because people have seen family members and friends successfully lose weight with these prescriptions.

The result has been that people have spent millions of dollars on these drugs every year to get the same weight lose results they have seen in others. The secondary result has been the record profits that drug companies are making, in part because they market and sell these drugs.

Diet mediations are sold over-the-counter and by a doctor's prescription. In spite of the advances in medical technology, these medications continue to pose a significant risk to individuals who use them. Side effects from this group of drugs can include diarrhea and vomiting, and tightness in the chest or urinary tract.

In some cases, these medications can cause a heart attack or stroke. An overdose of a weight loss tablet can cause symptoms such as tremors, hallucinations, confusion, shallow breathing, convulsions, heart attack and renal failure.

It is important to note that potential side effects vary, depending on a person's health and lifestyle, and can be minimized when the person consults with a doctor and follows the prescription's instructions.

Studies have also shown that when a person stops taking these drugs, there are typically withdrawal symptoms and/or side effects, including mood swings, stomach pain, hyperactivity, nightmares, insomnia, irritability, fatigue, nausea, depression, trembling and vomiting.

Regular exercise that burns calories is an important part of a weight loss program. As previously stated, it is important to check with a doctor before starting an exercise regime.

An exercise program aimed at weight loss should include cardiovascular and weight training to help burn calories and increase the muscle to increase the body's muscle to fat ratio. This will increase the dieter's metabolism and weight lose progress.