Is it a good idea to take slimming pills?
Taking diet pills to hasten your slimming treatment may not be a good idea. Slimming pills are often merely a combination of diuretics and caffeine. You might lose a couple of pounds initially, but the results are short-lived. The dehydration caused can be dangerous. Overdosing on weight loss pills has proved fatal in the recent past. They pose other threats to health as well, including organ failure and even strokes. Before you decide to take pills to lose weight, consider the following.
Consequences of taking weight loss pills
Orlistat and phentermine are licensed in Singapore. However, medication should not be taken without consulting your doctor. The number of people ordering unregulated drugs on online stores for unmonitored weight loss programs has increased. Overdosing on Fluoxetine caused the death of a 22-year old student in China in 2016. Popular Singaporean celebrities like Andrea de Cruz and Cheryl Miles have had bad experiences with slimming pills as well. Let’s take a look at the side-effects of different kinds of slimming medications.
Appetite suppressing pills
Stimulants in nature, this type of weight loss pills can induce conditions like nervousness, palpitation, irritation, and abnormal heart rates. A lot of them have been taken off the market after it was found that they pose serious threat to life. Slimming pills that suppress the appetite have also been found to increase blood pressure. Hair loss and constipation have been reported in some cases.
Metabolism boosting pills
Metabolism boosting slimming pills often trigger increased heart rates and palpitations. Other side-effects, including physiological and psychological changes are quite similar to what most appetite suppressants trigger.
Fat-absorption reducing pills
Pills that work on the principle of absorbing fat from food stored in the intestines can cause liver injury. The symptoms include loss of appetite, itching, yellowed skin and eyes, pale colored stools and brownish color of urine.
What’s the truth behind herbal pills?
These are available over the counter at chemists. Herbals pills are being advertised aggressively as having less side effects. They claim to be 100% natural and packed with vitamins and calcium. However, certain medications sold online contain dangerous amounts of stimulants like sibutramine. Other common ingredients include Chromium, fiber, and fat burning substances. Fiber is delivered in the form of laxatives, too much of which can result in bowel disease. Some herbal pills also contain substances similar to amphetamine. Common side effects of herbal pills include headaches, vomiting, elevated blood pressure, and insomnia, among others.
Are there any safer alternatives?
The most popular way to achieve your weight loss goal is by burning calorie through diet management and exercise like going for a long walk for a start. However, for obese people or those with specific health problems, alternative slimming treatments are also available. Safer alternatives like Yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine have no side effects. Moreover, they can help deal with lifestyle diseases like diabetes.
TCM slimming treatment involves techniques like acupuncture and massage, besides specialized treatments like guasha and cupping. Chinese medicine relies on establishing a healthy ying-yang harmony within the body. Coupled with the right exercise and diet, TCM slimming can be an effective and safe way to lose weight.
