With the billion dollar diet industry continuing with promises for speedy weight loss, it’s difficult to tell which ones actually come close to any of their claims, and which ones are simply a scam. Controversy on the effectiveness of diet pills has long been a source of debate from nutritionists, health experts, and the FDA, and the recent ban on ephedra has led to a shift toward diet pills and fat burners made with ‘all natural’ ingredients. Hoodia diet pills and fat burners are two of today’s leading diet and weight loss supplements, but there is not enough research or evidence to support either type as effective or safe for weight loss.
The Basics About Hoodia
Hoodia has rising in popularity recently thanks to 60 Minutes hype and clever marketing tactics by drug manufacturers. Hoodia Gordonii is derived from a cactus-like plant for its appetite suppressing abilities, and hundreds of diet pill manufacturers have developed a range of brands that use this as a main ingredient. While many some studies suggest that the ingredient is only a synthetic form in many of today’s cheaper brands, desperate dieters continue to buy these in hopes of shedding pounds simply by suppressing their appetite. While diet manufacturers claim that hoodia does not have any side effects and is a safe herbal supplement, some studies suggest that suppressing the appetite for extended periods of time could lead to dangerously low blood sugar. Since the drug can also trick the brain into thinking it has reached satiety, it may be difficult for users to tell when they really are hungry or thirsty.
Fat burners have long been on the market, commonly used by bodybuilders and even athletes interested in losing weight quickly. Ephedra quickly became a popular choice for its fat burning properties, simply because it sped up the body’s natural metabolism and helps burn extra calories. Fat burners manufactured without ephedra now contain varying levels of guarana, ginseng, and caffeine for similar effects. The rise of synephrine in diet pills-a synthetic version of ephedra—promises to offer similar results. Still, there is continuing debate on the safety of even these ingredients, especially for those at risk for hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid problems. Reported side effects of fat burners made with synephrine, guarana, and other metabolism enhancers include:
Both hooodia diet pills and fat burners on the market today make wild claims about significant weight loss, but almost all of them have not been approved by the FDA. Even pills that are available by prescription can be powerful enough to leave users with significant side effects and even dependency.
Unhealthy side effects and potential damage to the body could outweigh the potential benefit of either type of supplement; instead of a quick fix, a sensible eating plan, regular exercise, and a commitment to healthy living offer a much more valuable long term solution.
