Health and Diet Articles

Archive for the ‘Diet Pills’ Category

Topamax and Weight Loss

Sunday, March 1st, 2009

topamaxMany people who are eager to lose weight are often on the look out for supplements that can help them do so effectively and more easily. The weight loss supplement market, both prescription and non-prescription are doing their best to meet the demand.

 

The problem is that many of them do not work or they may have dangerous or irritating side effects. This is not to say that all weight loss pills do not work. This would not be true. There are some that do. Sometimes, even medications that are not at all designed for weight loss are able to help people lose weight. This is the case with the drug Topamax (for some people).

 

Topamax is a prescription drug that is given to people who have been diagnosed with epilepsy and also those that suffer from migraine headaches. It is not a weight loss drug, however, weight loss is one of the side effects of the medication. As a result, some doctors will prescribe it for their patients. In these cases, it is considered an “off label” drug.

 

An “off label” medication is one that is not being prescribed for the drug’s original purpose. The condition that the drug is being used to treat has not been given the approval by the Food and Drug Administration for that particular disease or issue.  For example, Topamax is a medication to treat seizures and migraines. It has the FDA’s approval to do that. It does not have been approved by the FDA to help people lose weight. Therefore, when a doctor prescribes it in this manner, it is considered “off label.”

 

 However, with all of the fanfare that sometimes surrounds Topamax in terms of helping people lose weight, the fact is, it does not work for everyone. In fact, studies have shown that among persons who take Topamax, only 16% actually lost weight. These figures were higher among children at 21%.

 

It is also important to note that Topamax has not received the approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration as a weight loss supplement. However, this has not prevented some doctors from subscribing it to their patients for this purpose.  For some people needing to lose weight, the drug has been very effective in helping them do so. However, for others, it does not.

 

Some people do not feel that Topamax is good for weight loss and not because it does not work. The reason they are against it is  because there are possible side effects that can cause serious disruptions in an individual’s life. For example, some persons that take the drug have reported a decreased ability to concentrate and even memory loss. Depending on how overweight a person is or how badly they want to lose weight, the trade off may or may not be worth it. Individuals that have chronic diseases related to being overweight or even obese may believe that that this tradeoff is acceptable. However, it is best to discuss the pros and cons with one’s doctor in order to make a more informed decision.

Losing Weight with Xenadrine

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

xenadrinenrgbigXenadrine is an all natural weight loss supplement that is comparable with the results that are seen with ephedrine. The one difference between the two diet supplements is that Xenadrine contains all natural ingredients which have been proven effective. Xenadrine supplements are often used for dieters that would like to experience high levels of weight loss when it is combined with exercise and a low fat and high protein diet. Here is everything that you need to know about Xenadrine supplements – you can use this information to decide if Xenadrine supplements are right for you.

Which ingredients are used to make the popular weight loss supplement Xenadrine? Yerba mate, green tea extract and grape seed extract are three of the main all-natural ingredients that are included in the Xenadrine supplements. Tyrosine is an ingredient which is present in Xenadrine supplements which can lead to an increased level of serotonin within the brain and has been shown to increase the levels of motivation within the body to exercise and complete the weight loss program. The green tea and grape seed extract are both used in popular weight loss supplements to increase the energy of the dieter and aid to increase the fat burning process. There are many other ingredients which are found in the popular diet supplement that have been shown to have various positive effects on the body.

Are there any side effects which have been known to occur when one is taking Xenadrine supplements? Xenadrine is made from all natural ingredients and therefore has very few side effects that occur from taking the supplements on a regular basis. A side effect of Xenadrine weight loss supplements include increased energy levels – these increased energy levels are most often welcome, unless the supplements are being taken close the time that the dieter is trying to go to bed for the evening.

Increased energy levels are often seen as a positive side effect, as many diet programs come with decreased energy levels that can make it difficult to find the motivation to exercise or follow the diet. Decreased energy levels are caused within most diet plans because of the decreased amount of calories which are being consumed through the weight loss plan. The only way to increase the energy levels within the diet is to consume an adequate amount of calories to ensure that the body has enough energy.

Xenadrine works by increasing the amount of fat which can be burned throughout the day. In combination with the exercise program and a low fat diet plan the dieter can have the potential to burn more calories – which can lead to weight loss. Patients that have been taking the Xenadrine supplements can see weight loss upwards of fifty pounds through the first four to six months of taking the supplements.

The Risks of Using Laxatives for Weight Loss

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

pills204Laxatives are commonly used by those with eating disorders as a way to expedite the weight loss process. It is important to be aware of the effects that can come from the laxatives.
 
There are many forms of laxatives, including; in the pill form, herbal laxatives and liquid laxatives. Regardless of the form of laxative, those taken for the purpose of weight loss can lead to devastating effects within the body. How does a laxative work? After the laxative has been ingested, there is a message sent to the large bowel which signals it that is time to empty. Although, this can be dangerous when someone suffering from an eating disorder has not eaten anything and therefore the large bowel is empty. The use of laxatives can lead to severe dehydration because of the water that is being released from the body, rather than food in the large bowel and intestines.

When one has been using laxatives for an extended period of time there are various side effects the dieter puts themselves at risk of, these are:

• Cramping and other digestive issues
• Electrolyte imbalances which can lead to severe side effects
• Dehydration which can also lead to severe side effects
• Irregular heartbeat and the risk of a heart attack
• Renal problems

Phenolphthalein is a common ingredient that is found in many laxatives – in the past, this ingredient has been recalled by the FDA because of the instances of cancer that have been developed after continued research. Exposure to this ingredient is harmful to the health and can affect the body in many negative ways.

After one has experienced prolonged exposure to laxatives there are many side effects that can occur when the patient tries to stop the laxative treatment. There are many side effects that will affect het digestive system such as constipation and cramping. It is commonplace to become addicted to the laxatives and the results that are often seen for a minimal period of two weeks.  If one has been taking the laxatives for an extended period of time these side effects have been known to be more secure and last for longer – throughout the extended withdrawal process.

Laxative use becomes increasingly dangerous when the laxatives are combined with a diet that is extremely restrictive and low in calories and exercise regimens that are strict and severe.

One of the most dangerous laxatives that are used by those with eating disorders is syrup referred to as Ipapec syrup. This instant laxative can cause serious cardiac side effects and even death after even one use and should be avoided. Ipapec syrup can cause the system to become toxic and create harsh side effects within the bodily system.

There are many cases that involve overdose of laxatives where patients have used more than the recommended dose for an extended period of time. Prolonged and overdose laxative use is a dangerous game that is not worth the temporary weight loss that can be seen on the scale.