Herbal diet pills

By Weight Loss Consultant • Related • Filed Under

The desire to lose weight haunts millions of Americans every day. Almost everyone feels like they could benefit from losing a few pounds and many people are willing to pay hefty sums to get there. In fact, the weight loss industry has seen incredibly rapid growth in recent years as consumers search for the viable weight loss method that will work for them.

Many consumers are aware of the potentially harmful effects of prescription and over-the-counter weight loss diet pills, and are reluctant to try any of these potentially dangerous weight loss products. Many of these consumers have instead turned to the herbal treatment, seeking natural and safe alternatives to the chemical weight loss treatments notorious for negative side effects. Consumers should be aware, however, that herbal diet pills can also be very dangerous. Users should always consult their doctor or physician prior to beginning any weight loss regimen, whether it is herbal or chemical, and be careful when mixing medications with other supplements and treatments.

Most people tend to believe that herbal weight loss treatments are safer than over-the-counter and prescription weight loss drugs. This isn’t always the case. Most herbal weight loss products work mainly as appetite suppressants, tricking the body into thinking it’s full. Although this can be an effective short-term weight loss remedy, it can often lead to addiction and cause additional health problems. With continual use of some herbal diet supplements, your body will begin to build a dependency, and you will likely see negative side effects when attempting to stop the treatment regimen.

As with any weight loss medication, results tend to only occur while taking the treatment. As soon as you stop taking the medication, your weight loss results will likely stop as well. Because weight loss medications do not require any behavioral or dietary changes, users find it difficult to maintain the weight loss results after stopping the treatment. Of course, proper diet and exercise is the only surefire way to establish and maintain a successful weight loss plan.

For those consumers who still wish to dive into the herbal weight loss remedies, it is best to consider multiple treatments and find one that will work best your individual lifestyle and body type. By making comprehensive comparisons of different herbal treatments, you will be able to find one that will suit your needs, and also avoid complications and negative side effects of harmful combinations of treatments. Below are several commonly used herbal weight loss ingredients. Again, remember to always consult your physician before beginning any weight loss regimen.

Ephedrine
Ephedrine is commonly found in many herbal dietary supplements. It is also a main component of many asthma medications. Although it has been found to slightly decrease appetite, as of yet there have been no successful studies proving its effectiveness as a weight loss treatment.

Ephedrine is also notoriously dangerous. In fact, its chemical structure is almost identical to methamphetamine (speed), and is often a main component of the illegal drug. Ephedrine has been known to cause a wide array of negative side effects, including high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, heart attacks, and in some cases even death. In 2004, the FDA banned Ephedrine from the U.S. marketplace, although it is still often sold illegally around the country. As a general rule, it is best to avoid any products containing Ephedrine, and if you are currently using an Ephedrine product, discontinue use promptly.

Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia has enjoyed some success as a commercial weight loss product. The herb originated in Africa, where bushmen would chew on the plant to suppress their hunger. Today’s Hoodia supplements work in the same manner, suppressing the body’s feelings of hunger and promoting weight loss by lowering blood glucose. Recent studies have questioned Hoodia’s true effectiveness, however. Results from studies also doubt Hoodia’s ability to produce long term results. However, the herb has been proven to be an effective hunger suppressant, and many people successfully use it as a weight loss supplement. The negative side effects of the herb are minimal, if any.

Green Tea
Over the past few years, green tea has gained a steaming popularity in the natural weight loss industry. Many companies advertise green tea products that are proven to boost metabolism and fill your body with natural antioxidants. Although its true effects are still being studied, it is evident that green tea can help promote weight loss. In order for green tea to have any real effect, however, studies are indicating that you must consume a minimum of approximately three cups of green tea each day. Consuming this amount of green tea is the minimum requirement to see any real changes in metabolism.

Aloe Vera
Most consumers know aloe for its skin-healing abilities and regularly use many skin products containing this plant extract. However, aloe is becoming an increasingly popular ingredient in many herbal weight loss products. Ingesting an oral form of aloe increases the body’s bowel movement production, making it somewhat effective for short-term weight loss. Many of these products are advertised as cleaning products, and consumers often turn to these products to jump start their weight loss results.

There are very few studies which prove any benefit of consuming oral aloe for weight loss. However, its effectiveness as a natural laxative does help many people get started in their weight loss program. Although it is a natural and relatively safe treatment, aloe does have the potential to cause several negative side effects. Some users report prolonged diarrhea and stomach pains. Aloe is also known to have negative interactions with other medications, so be sure to consult your doctor before ingesting oral forms of aloe.

Gaurana
Gaurana has seen an explosion of popularity in the herbal weight loss market. Gaurana is an all natural product, produced from the seeds of a native Brazilian plant. The seeds are effective as a weight loss treatment because of their diuretic and stimulant effects. The caffeine-containing seeds speed up energy and activity, which help to promote physical activity and weight loss.

The caffeine in Gaurana, however, can also cause high blood pressure and also may create other blood related problems. Although it is commonly marketed as a completely safe and side effect free drug, consumers should be aware of the effects and possible negative interactions that Gaurana might cause.

Dandelion
Dandelion is another natural diuretic, and is often found in herbal treatment stores advertised as a weight loss treatment. Its actual success as a weight loss treatment varies from person to person, but studies have shown that it can safely contribute to successful weight loss if taken carefully and moderately.

Dandelion works as a weight loss treatment mainly by decreasing body water, which is similar to most other diuretic drugs. Although the loss of body water will decrease bloating and aid in weight loss, it will not provide long-term weight loss results. The side effects of Dandelion are relatively mild, although excessive losses in body water can cause many other problems within the body’s processes.

St, John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is widely known for its effectiveness as a natural antidepressant. Several studies have shown, however, that the herb is also somewhat effective as a weight loss treatment.

Users of St. John’s Wort should be extremely careful when attempting to use the herb as a weight loss supplement. The herb can cause many very serious side effects when taken alongside other antidepressant medications, as the interactions between St. John’s Wort and many other medications have proven to be extremely harmful.

Cayenne
For those who enjoy a little extra spice in their diet, cayenne can actually prove to be an excellent natural weight loss treatment. Capsaicin, the component of cayenne which makes it taste spicy, has been clinically proven stimulate both saliva and digestion, which in turn aid in weight loss results, keeping metabolism at a desirable level. The best part? No side effects!

As you can see, herbal weight loss supplements come in a wide variety of forms, each one with its own benefits and potentially harmful side effects. When considering an herbal weight loss treatment, be sure to research the specific herb you are thinking about, and make sure that you are knowledgeable and comfortable with all of its effects.

As a general guideline, always adhere to the following rules when considering beginning an herbal weight loss treatment:

  • Always ask a doctor before taking an herbal treatment, and notify your doctor of all medications you are taking.
  • If you experience unexpected side effects while taking an herbal treatment, discontinue use immediately and consult your doctor.
  • Never take herbal treatments if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. Also refrain from taking herbal treatments when nursing.
  • Avoid consuming large quantities of an herbal supplement. Always follow guidelines highlighted on the product’s packaging.
  • Avoid combining herbal treatments. Interactions between different herbs can cause potentially serious side effects.

Herbal treatments may be considered natural, however they should not be mistaken to be safe. There are many natural elements that can be considered harmful to one’s health and herbal weight loss systems are no exception. Always consult the care of a medical specialist when employing any method to lose weight.

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