Recent studies have shown that more people are becoming overweight every year and this happens not only to adults but even to children who have just started school. In order to lose those excess pounds, many people resort to surgery whereas other people realize that a healthy diet with regular exercise is a better method. However, desperate people often make poor decisions and decide to take weight loss drugs as they are less expensive than surgery.
The drugs work by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain, making it believe that the stomach is already full, thereby, increasing the person’s metabolic rate. That was all well and good until the point where more research had concluded that there was an increased risk of heart valve disease and as a consequence the drugs were withdrawn. Since then, newer drugs have been developed and doctors continue to prescribe them although they are still awaiting FDA certification.
The use of drugs that help weight reduction has become so commonplace that it is almost certain that you know of someone who has tried them. Let’s be honest, it’s in our nature to like things that provide near instant results, without having to put in any effort. Many millions of dollars are spent each year in The United States alone while the drug manufacturers spend huge sums on further research into weight loss drugs.
Weight control pills can be purchased either over-the-counter or prescribed by a doctor but even with the advances in medical technology they can still cause a lot of health related problems which can be unpleasant such as diarrhoea and vomiting. These include heart attacks, tremors, strokes, hallucinations and renal failure.
Other problems may also occur when the pills are discontinued. For instance it is not uncommon for people taking weight control pills to experience other side effects like sleep problems, tiredness, mood swings, stomach problems and more.
While the effectiveness of these weight loss drugs is not in question, they are more effective if they are used alongside a controlled diet and exercise regime.~Despite all the bad publicity, weight loss drugs do work but they are more successful if they are used in conjunction with a low calorie diet and regular exercise, preferably using a properly worked out exercise regime. This means eating a good diet containing food from all the food groups and include vitamins and minerals.
A person can jog every morning or sign up and workout in a gym but just as a person should consult a doctor before taking medicines, a doctor should also be consulted prior to undertaking any form of exercise. Of course a good exercise regime will combine exercises that increase the heart rate and exercises that use weights to tone the muscles.
