Diet Information Center

  What type of over-the-counter diet pills are available?

Over-the-counter diet pills can be found at your local drugstore, supermarket or any health food store. But just because these products don't require a prescription, it doesn't mean they're safe!

While many people have reported postitive results from over-the-counter diet pills, the manufacturers of these products are not required to test for safety, quality, or effectiveness like diet drug manufacturers. The public tends to believe that over-the-counter diet products and nutritional supplements have been researched, tested, and inspected. But this is not always the case. More...

While most over-the-counter diet pills have not been proven safe or effective, millions of people take these products everyday. Some of the most popular brands include: Metabolife, Trimlife, Xenadrine , Hydroxycut, Trimspa and many more.

The following list describes some of the most common ingredients in many of these over-the-counter diet pills:

Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Ephedra is a potent herb that has been used in many products, especially those designed to give energy or promote weight loss. It comes from the ephedra plant or can be made synthetically. Ephedrine suppresses appetite but can cause high blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attacks, strokes and even death. In late February 2004, the Food and Drug Administration announced the ban of ephedra from marketed dietary supplements because of health concerns. This effects most products, except herbal forms such as Ma Huang.

St. John's Wort
Here's an example of an herbal preparation that actually has been researched extensively overseas in independent studies and shows promise. Studies show that St. John's Wort can raise serotonin levels and treat mild depression. But, if you don't suffer from depression-related weight gain, significant food cravings, or an alteration in serotonin levels, St. John's Wort might not help in your weight loss quest. So far, there have been few reports of weight loss associated with St. John’s Wort. St. John's Wort has been used with ephedra in "herbal phen-fen" formulas. But due to the side effects of ephedra, it is not recommended to take this combination.

Chromium Picolinate:
Despite the hype and claims, chromium picolinate is not a miracle pill that helps you lose weight, burn fat, and build muscle. Some flawed studies done in the 1990's suggested that chromium might help build muscle mass. From this research, the manufacturers extended the list of claims for what this supplement could do from metabolic rate increases to weight loss and beyond. This old research has since been shown to be inaccurate by better, more extensive studies. In order to put an end to the false claims touted by chromium picolinate manufacturers, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stepped in. The FTC ruled that companies that distribute chromium picolinate do not have sufficient evidence to substantiate that chromium picolinate could increase metabolic rate, promote weight loss, or reduce body fat.

Pyruvate:
This popular weight-loss aid may potentially have a slight effect in helping you shed pounds. However, only a few small studies have tested its safety, and the long-term effects are still unknown. Claims that pyruvate boosts metabolism and decreases appetite need further study.

Guarana:
Despite being touted as a metabolism booster and fat burner, Guarana's active ingredient is caffeine, which can cause a temporary increase in metabolic rate. Save your money and have some coffee instead.

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA):
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is the active ingredient found in over-the-counter weight loss pills like Dexatrim and Acutrim. PPA has been shown in studies to help increase weight loss but not significantly. In studies, PPA, along with diet and exercise increased weight loss by only an average of three pounds, compared to diet and exercise alone. Taking more than the recommended dosage has been linked to elevated blood pressure, stroke and heart palpitations. The FDA has now banned the use of PPA in over the counter remedies due to many potential documented serious side effects.

Herbal Weight Loss Teas/Senna:
Herbal teas, many of which contain senna, aloe, buckthorn, and other plant-derived laxatives, can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, chronic constipation, fainting, and even death if you take excessive amounts. These products that you can buy in health food stores and through mail-order catalogs, are used for weight loss based on some consumers' belief that increased bowel movements prevent absorption of calories, thus preventing weight gain. However, a special committee of the FDA concluded in 1995 that studies show that laxative-induced diarrhea does not significantly reduce absorption of calories. Laxatives do not work on the small intestine, where calories are absorbed, but rather on the colon, the lower end of the bowel.

Chitosan/Chitin
This dietary supplement is made from a starch (chitin) found in the shells of shrimp, crab and other shellfish. Because your body can't digest chitosan, it passes through your intestinal tract unabsorbed and adds no calories. Proponents claim that chitosan binds to fat in the intestine, but research is mixed. Though chitosan may remove a tiny amount of dietary fat that the body doesn't absorb, it isn't enough to promote weight loss. Taken by itself, chitosan doesn't reduce body weight. But several small studies indicate that chitosan has some mild effect on weight loss when combined with a healthy diet, increased physical activity and behavioral counseling. Chitosan may cause constipation, flatulence and bloating.
 

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