FitSugar

Have You Ever Taken a Dietary Supplement to Lose Weight?

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:34:47 PDT

Losing weight is no easy task. It takes time to find the right combination of willpower, diet, and exercise to work for yourself, so it's no wonder that there's no end to products that promise to help you out. Anything from Snooki-endorsed Zantrex to tasteless, calorie-less fiber that fills your belly without adding calories are currently on the market touting fast results for dropping pounds.

Taking dietary supplements carries certain risks. For one, they aren't FDA-approved and can contain unsafe ingredients, and for another, you could just be wasting your money on buying expensive pills that aren't effective (one of the main ingredients in Zantrex, for example, is just lots of caffeine). Have you ever tried them?

The Health Risks Associated With Diet Pills

Heather Dale — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:49:30 PDT

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, right? I always find the infomercials produced by diet pill companies entertaining; you know, the ones where they promise significant weight loss in just one to two weeks. I'm sure if I drastically restricted my food intake and took appetite-suppressant medications for seven or more days, then these claims might not be so far off. But at what cost?

When we surveyed you all on this topic a while back, many of you answered that you had tried diet pills before. Although I'm not part of this group, I've often wondered if these pills are worth it - and by worth it, I mean, are they worth enduring some of the less than desirable side effects like cramping, gas, diarrhea, and increased blood pressure and heart rate to shed pounds the "quick fix" way? What happens when you stop taking the pills? And are the pills that are supposed to be used in conjunction with physical activity and a well-balanced diet any better?

Keep reading to learn more on the health risks associated with these drugs.

Whoopi Goldberg Gets Gassy With Dr. Oz

FitSugar — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:47:01 PDT

Dr. Oz couldn't leave The View today without dispensing some helpful diet tips. He talked about a fiber tablet that he thinks everyone should take before meals that will help to curtail the amount of food your body will want to eat during the meal. The only drawback to the pill is that it may leave a person feeling gassy. Whoopi had no problem with this side effect and let everyone in the studio know about it.

Kim and Khloe Kardashian Had to Learn to Embrace Their Bodies - Did You?

FitSugar — Fri, 14 May 2010 04:47:11 PDT

This week, Kim and Khloe Kardashian revealed to Us Weekly that they didn't realize how beautiful their curves were until they were adults. Kim says:

"I never knew to embrace curves. I looked at my aunt and cousins and saw these Armenian women with big butts and boobs, and I didn't really realize how attractive it actually was then. Your perspective grows."

Despite gaining a new perspective as an adult, Kim says that her parents raised her to feel comfortable in her own skin. Khloe added that because of the support from her family she never considered herself as overweight.

"I'd always be in tight dresses. In my head I did not think I was ever fat. Other people did, but I didn't think I was - ever! Because of my family base, I always accepted my natural shape or what I thought it was. I appreciate it now and I want to help other people."

The sisters' way of helping people continues to be promoting QuickTrim diet products though, which I think is a major disappointment. Given that the sisters are always seen working out, it makes more sense to credit exercise and a healthy diet for their weight loss. But given how many people seem to love them, I think it's great that they have always said it's OK to be curvy. Tell me . . .

Have You Ever Tried Diet Pills?

FitSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:30:00 PDT

As of last Friday, Hydroxycut diet aids have been voluntarily recalled after a warning from the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA had received 23 reports of "serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplants" after using the supplement.

Hydroxycut pills, drinks, and powders are promoted as weight loss supplements that increase energy while boosting the metabolism. If you are using any Hydroxycut products, the FDA urges you to stop using them.

I am not a fan of diet aids as they represent a "magic pill" approach to weight loss, when I believe that losing weight requires sustainable lifestyle changes. However, we are a society hoping to have our cake and eat it too, and diet pills represent a quick fix. I am wondering . . .

Source

Wynonna Judd Uses Alli Diet Pills - Should You?

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:30:00 PST

Wynonna Judd has been struggling with her weight both in and out of the public eye. In 2003, she opened up to Oprah about how her cholesterol levels were putting her at risk for a heart attack, and three years later, she checked into a treatment center for food addiction. Wynonna will be turning 45 in May, and she recently opened up to People magazine about the changes she's making to become more healthy.

Wynonna is planning ahead for meals, cooking more at home, and taking walks with her children. She is also taking Alli over-the-counter diet pills to lose weight, and is even a spokesperson for the diet aid. These pills act as a fat blocker, preventing your body from absorbing a quarter of the fat you consume. To find out more about Alli and see if it's effective at losing weight,

read more. Let me begin with the cautions found directly on the Alli website. It says that Alli can cause:

gas with oily spotting
loose stools
more frequent stools that may be hard to control

It also says that "You may feel an urgent need to go to the bathroom. Until you have a sense of any treatment effects, it's probably a smart idea to wear dark pants, and bring a change of clothes with you to work." Yikes! The website also says that if by dieting alone, you lose 10 pounds, you could lose up to 15 pounds if you diet and take Alli. Is five more pounds really worth it if it puts you at risk for repeatedly soiling your pants? I'd say no on that one. Not only that, but what happens when people use Alli, lose weight, and then go off those pills? They probably gain all the weight back. If you're trying to lose weight for good, I'd avoid the diet pills. Eat a healthy diet with appropriate portion sizes, and exercise regularly. Not only will you melt away pounds and strengthen your body, but you'll become healthier, reduce your risk for heart problems and cancer, and will no doubt improve your quality and length of life. In case you were curious, here's a commercial for Alli featuring Wynonna. Source

Is Hoodia Safe For Appetite Suppressant?

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:30:00 PDT

When it comes to losing weight, I'm very wary of appetite suppressants. For one, I don't think popping pills instead of eating is healthy whatsoever, and I also worry about the effects of these pills on the body. One such pill, Hoodia gordonii (called hoodia for short), is gaining popularity. It's a cactus-like succulent plant only found in southern Africa, and it's been used for centuries by bushmen who needed to control their hunger on long journeys. South African scientists tested this plant and found it contains a molecule that seems to prevent hunger, which they call P57. The scientists patented this compound to use as a diet aid and licensed it to a British pharmaceutical company, Phytopharm. Scientists from Phytopharm say "P57 acts on the brain in a manner similar to glucose. It tricks the brain into thinking you are full even when you have not eaten. It reduces interest in food, and delays the time before hunger sets in." Interesting.

To find out if it's safe

read more. Just so you know, hoodia has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. That means that all potential risks and advantages of hoodia may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds, so that means many of the diet pills that claim to contain hoodia may not contain any of this compound at all. Phytopharm is the only licensed producer of hoodia, and they have yet to make a product, so the hoodia pills in stores right now are most likely just a waste of money. That info alone would make me steer clear of hoodia pills, but the choice is up to you. If you are thinking about taking hoodia (or any other diet pills for that matter), talk to your doctor first. Source

Over the Counter Alli: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 04:00:00 PDT

Do you guys remember me telling you about Alli the first OTC Diet pill approved by the FDA? The one that causes anal leakage? Remember?

Personally, I was hoping it would never really happen, but it has been announced the pills will go on sale on June 15th, 2007 at drugstores nationwide. I am curious if I am the only one that thinks the FDA should focus a little more on tainted foods hitting shelves in grocery stores than giving us another reason not to exercise and eat healthy. Oh wait; Alli claims that it’s only for you if you can commit to eating more sensibly and getting more physically active. Why can't we commit to doing that without anal leakage? Maybe I am a cynic, but what do you guys think about it?

First Over the Counter Diet Pill Approved by FDA

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:00:00 PST

I have a pretty bad opinion of weight loss pills, I am not convinced there is a magic bullet. Nor am I convinced that diet pills are the answer to losing weight.

The FDA doesn't agree with me and has recently said the fat-blocking weight-loss pill Orlistat (aka Xenical), which has been available by prescription, can be sold in a reduced-strength version over the counter. The new version will be sold as alli (pronounced AL-eye by GlaxoSmithKline) and is the first nonprescription diet pill to be approved by the FDA. Alli is intended for people 18 and older to use along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise.

Alli will contain half the dose of Xenical prescription capsules and is expected to run $1-$2 a day. The company estimated 5 million to 6 million Americans a year would buy the drug over the counter. The important safety information directly from Myalli.com are as follows:

When using this product:

Take a multivitamin once a day, at bedtime. alli can reduce the absorption of some vitamins.

Follow a well-balanced, reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. Try starting this diet before taking alli capsules.

Alli capsules work by preventing the absorption of some of the fat you eat. The fat passes out of your body so you may have bowel changes.

You may get:
-gas with oily spotting
-loose stools
-more frequent stools that may be hard to control.

In studies, most people lost 5-10 pounds over 6 months.

To these points I say: Scary. Duh. Weird. Gross. That's it?!?!

The FDA also said that people who have had organ transplants should not take OTC Orlistat because of possible drug interactions. In addition, anyone taking blood-thinning medicines or being treated for diabetes or thyroid disease should consult a physician before using Orlistat.

I am seriously outraged that the FDA will approve something that causes anal leakage yet Stevia, the non-caloric herb has yet to gain the FDA's approval.

This is a backwards world we're living in.

Are Your Birth Control Pills Safe?

Shape — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:06:17 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Last year during my annual exam, when I complained to my doctor about my terrible PMS, she was quick to pull out her pad and give me a prescription for the birth control pill Yaz. "You're going to love this," she said. "All of my patients that are on it think it's the best. It's even helped some of them lose weight!"

Less PMS and not having to worry about my weight? I was sold, even though I'd only intended to talk to her about lifestyle and/or diet modifications since my birth control needs were already taken care of. Before I stopped into the pharmacy, however, I looked up the pill online (Paging Dr. Google!). The results were anything but the lovefest I'd been promised. In fact, the information I found scared me so badly that I never filled that prescription.

Am I Normal? Your Top Six Sex Questions Answered

It quickly became evident that I wasn't the only woman concerned when Yaz and it's sister pill Yazmin, two of the most popular pills on the market, came up for review by the FDA after reports that the manufacturer may have hid and minimized critical health risks. But is the hysteria warranted?

Find out how safe birth control pills are after the break!