DIET PILLS Jennifer Qing

Pills that claim to make you lose weight. What are diet pills? Pills that claim to make you lose weight.   What are diet pills? Pills that claim to make you lose weight

TYPES OF DIET PILLS Appetite-Suppressants Reduce hunger How they work affects certain neurotransmitters to decrease appetite Increases heart rate and blood pressure Increases serotonin and catecholamine levels Ingredients CitriMax (HCA) Inhibits an enzyme called ATP-Citrate Lyase  Blocks the conversion of carbohydrates into fat Hoodia gordonii Green Tea Extract Garcinia Cambogia: raises amount of serotonin in body  reduces appetite Caffeine: briefly suppresses appetite

TYPES OF DIET PILLS CONT. Hoodia Diet Pills Type of appetite suppressant Made from isolated ingredient in Hoodia Gordonii plant Plant found in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa Makes brain think you’re full Active molecule is called P57 As it is passed to the brain, it helps controlling the appetite

TYPES OF DIET PILLS CONT. Fat Burners (Thermogenic Diet Pills) Contain stimulants that can decrease fat absorption and/or increase muscle mass Ingredients help your body use body fat as a source of fuel for energy Ingredients Green tea Chromium stabilizing blood sugar levels  help reduce sugar cravings

TYPES OF DIET PILLS CONT. Fat Blockers prevent the lipases in the digestive system from breaking down and storing the fat you ingest Ingredients Chitosan combined with other fiber ingredients Absorbs fat and is a fiber (not broken down by body) When taken, it absorbs fat as it passes through the body’s digestive system Takes the fat out of the body with it Prevents fat from being stored

TYPES OF DIET PILLS CONT. Carbohydrate Blockers inhibits the enzymes evolved in the break down of carbohydrates into stored fat Ingredients phaselous vulgaris Inhibits a certain enzyme in the body (The enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is stored in the body as fat) Discharges the carbohydrates from the body before they enter the bloodstream Chromium Picolinate and Alpha Lipoic Acid Regulate insulin  reduce sugar cravings and feel full This type of diet pill still under experimentation

TYPES OF DIET PILLS CONT. Antioxidants Ex. Acai berry extract Rich in antioxidants, fights free radicals Prevent cell oxidization and improve energy levels Improving energy level is helpful if stress is the main cause of your weight gain. Vitamins C, E and A are antixodants Need to be administered carefully Vitamins A and E are fat-soluble and lead to toxicity if taken in high amounts

A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME INGREDIENTS Garcinia cambogia Found in India The active ingredient: hydroxycitric acid Suppressed appetite and enhance fat burning Supposed to suppress enzymatic activity of citrate lyase, which is responsible for the breakdown of excess carbohydrates into fat storage

A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME INGREDIENTS CONT. Gymnema Gymnema sylvestre is a plant found in India and other parts of Asia The active ingredient: gymnemic acid Helps balance sugar levels Gymnemic acid molecules are similar to glucose molecules They inhibit glucose cell receptorsprevents uptake of sugar molecules

WHERE TO BUY Prescription Prescribed to obese individuals with a BMI of 35 or more These pills have more serious side-effects contain prescription ingredients, such as Phentermine and Bontril These pills are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Ex. Meridia and Xenical Over-the-counter Wide range of effectiveness Products considered by FDA to be over-the-counter weight control drugs [as opposed to dietary supplements] are primarily those containing the active ingredient phenylpropanolamine

CONSEQUENCES/SIDE AFFECTS Some Possible General side effects: high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, sleep problems, nervousness, seizures, insomnia, acne, nose bleeds Excessive weight loss can be dangerous Diet pills are not considered to be an addictive drug But people can become dependent on diet pills

POTENTIALLY HARMFUL PRODUCTS (IDENTIFIED BY FDA OR OTHER CONSUMER WATCH GROUPS) Aristolochic Acid associated with permanent kidney damage Can develop certain types of cancers Ephedra Also known as Ma-huang Chemically similar to methamphetamine, which is “speed” Herbal weight loss tea/Dieter’s tea Marketed as “natural laxatives”Ineffective method of weight loss Can result in bowel dependency (constipation) on the laxative properties Tiratricol Triiodothyroacetic acid, or TRIAC A strong thyroid hormone Linked to stroke and heart attacks Aristolochic Acid Found in botanical products Aristolochic acid is associated with permanent kidney damage Sometimes results in kidney failure that has required kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation Can develop certain types of cancers, most often occurring in the urinary tract.   Ephedra Also known as Ma-huang Found in many herbal products Ephedrine is the synthetic form of the ephedra plant Chemically similar to methamphetamine, which is “speed” Herbal weight loss tea/Dieter’s tea Marketed as “natural laxatives” Ineffective method of weight loss Can result in bowel dependency (constipation) on the laxative properties Tiratricol Triiodothyroacetic acid, or TRIAC A strong thyroid hormone Linked to stroke and heart attacks

ARE DIET PILLS A GOOD OPTION FOR WEIGHT LOSS? No. Should not rely on diet pills to lose weight They are not a long-term solution and they come with the risk of side effects! According to surveys, constant and long term weight control is not possible by simply taking diet pills “If you have not solved the problem that caused you to be overweight in the first place, the weight will return.”   Are diet pills a good option for weight loss? No. Should not rely on diet pills to lose weight They are not a long-term solution and they come with the risk of side effects! According to surveys, constant and long term weight control is not possible by simply taking diet pills “If you have not solved the problem that caused you to be overweight in the first place, the weight will return.”

HOW YOU SHOULD LOSE WEIGHT Diet pills may help you get started on losing weight In the long run, it’s about making lifestyle changes Instead of relying on pills, change eating and exercising habits Better way to lose weight Diet pills may help you get started on losing weight In the long run, it’s about making lifestyle changes Instead of relying on pills, change eating and exercising habits For example, if you’re hunger all the time, instead of taking diet pills, eat more foods that are high in fiber (natural fruits, vegetables and whole grains) Fiber is not broken down by the body, so it will make you feel full longer

Sources: http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_pills.php http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/medication/diet-pill.htm http://www.pamf.org/teen/risk/drugs/stimulants/dietpills.html http://www.dietpills-information.com/ http://www.healthreserve.com/diet_pills/diet_pills.htm http://www.science20.com/erin039s_spin/real_deal_behind_diet_pills-34359 http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/01/prescription-diet-pills-history-of-fda.html http://moderndietpills.com/how-do-diet-pills-work/ http://www.diet-pills.cc/diet-pill-types.html