Almost every woman would love to pop a diet pill and put an end to her dieting woes. And there's almost no limit to the number of ads claiming a product can do just that. The problem is, which ads do you trust? And do diet pills really work? Although the effectiveness of diet pills can vary from person to person, studies reveal a few may actually live up to their promise.
Alli
Alli is a diet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Alli is a reduced strength version of the prescription diet drug Xenical. Alli works by preventing some of the fat you eat from being absorbed by the intestines. It is meant for overweight individuals who are 18 years old or older.
Alli is not marketed as a stand-alone weight loss miracle. Users who take Alli are encouraged to eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet and to exercise regularly. According to Dr. Donald Hensrud from the Mayo Clinic, Alli can cause unpleasant side effects if used with meals containing high amounts of fat. These side effects include "urgent bowel movements, diarrhea and gas with oily spotting." The number of pounds lost by taking Alli vary but is generally a few pounds more than dieting and exercise alone.
Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia Gordonii is derived from a succulent plant native to southern Africa. The plant has been used for hundreds of years by the Kalahari Bushmen. The natives ate the plant to curb thirst and hunger during long periods of travel.
Hoodia works by cutting off the hunger switch in the brain. It contains a steroidal glycoside molecule called P57. Researchers believe P57 is 10,000 more times active than glucose in the brain. A research study conducted at Brown University found that daily consumption of hoodia reduced the amount of calories consumed by 40 to 50 percent. In trials conducted in Great Britain, study participants taking hoodia shaved approximately 1,000 calories from their daily calorie intake.
Many products containing hoodia have flooded the market in the last several years. Many of these products do not contain the purest forms of the plant. Before buying, consumers should ensure the label clearly states the product contains Hoodia Gordonii. In addition, some hoodia products contain other stimulant ingredients that may produce adverse side effects, such as difficulty in sleeping, higher blood pressure and increased heart rate.
Take Your Vitamins
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition contends a good multivitamin is one of the best weight loss aids for women. Women who regularly took multivitamins as a part of their health routine experienced less hunger and a reduced desire to eat. In addition, the study confirmed women who take multivitamins daily have a lower percentage of body fat and weigh less than women who do not take multivitamins. Angelo Tremblay, Ph.D., and the lead researcher in the study, claims the vitamins work by replacing vital minerals and vitamins lost during the dieting process. By restoring balance, they help control the appetite and increase the amount of calories burned.
