Weight Loss with Diet Pills: Is It Possible?

Apr 20, 2021Roman Ladyzenskij

Pop a pill, go to bed, and wake up 1 kg lighter the next morning – unfortunately, such promises are too good to be true. Healthy and sustainable weight loss is not possible without dietary changes and exercise. However, pills can support a diet. Here you will learn which weight loss pills are available and how healthy weight loss works.

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What weight loss pills are available?

Whether in pharmacies, drugstores, or online, various types of weight loss pills are offered. They differ in their effect:

Swelling agents

After ingestion, a rapid feeling of satiety can set in due to fiber or other swelling agents. The weight loss pills are thus supposed to lead to less food intake. To prevent constipation, plenty of fluids should be consumed with the products. Examples of such swelling agents are fiber from psyllium, konjac root extract, cellulose, collagen, fruit fibers, and crustacean shells.

Fat blockers

The active ingredient Orlistat inhibits the absorption of fatty acids and is therefore supposed to contribute to weight reduction. However, this is a prescription drug that can have side effects.

Chemical appetite suppressants

These weight loss pills influence the regulation of hunger and satiety through chemical substances. But beware! These substances can be carcinogenic or harmful to health. Possible active ingredients are: Sibutramine, Ephedrine, Cathine, Phenolphthalein, and Phenylpropanolamine.

Diuretics

These excrete water stored in the tissues. This leads to weight reduction on the scale, but no fat is broken down. So you don't really lose weight with these pills. They contain diuretic agents such as nettle, birch leaves, or bladderwrack.

Herbal and homeopathic weight loss remedies

Ingredients from medicinal plants are supposed to activate metabolism and thus support weight loss. Examples are nettle juice, artichoke extract, bitter drops, or Calcium carbonicum.

Food ingredients

The active ingredients come from food and could in principle also be absorbed through diet. Examples are: L-Carnitine, flavonoids, certain fatty acids, or choline.

Are weight loss pills dangerous?

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Since most weight loss capsules are dietary supplements and not prescription drugs, they are not as strictly controlled. Therefore, there are also manufacturers who want to make money at the expense of others' health. Their products are often useless, but sometimes even have dangerous side effects. Especially online, some questionable weight loss pills with a colorful mix of active ingredients are offered. Using such weight loss pills from dubious manufacturers can therefore also become a health risk.

Therefore, pay attention to our tips when buying:

Can you find the manufacturer's address and phone number? Is there a complete imprint on the website? Ideally, the manufacturer is from Germany.
Are the ingredients of the product listed? Only then can you understand what is in the weight loss pills and, if in doubt, research individual ingredients.
Do you find a dosage recommendation on the packaging?
Does the manufacturer state for which groups of people the product is not suitable or what side effects may occur? If so, this is an indication of a responsible manufacturer.
If you can only order the product cash on delivery or prepayment, you should be careful.
Promises that are too good to be true, such as losing weight while sleeping or miracle diets, are often just good advertising tricks.

Losing weight healthily – this is how it really works!

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For successful weight loss, a change in diet and exercise is essential. Because you only lose weight through a calorie deficit. This means that you have to consume fewer calories than you burn. So you can either reduce your intake or increase your energy consumption.

Simple tricks to reduce energy intake are:

Fill at least half your plate with vegetables or salad.
Protein-rich foods like legumes provide long-lasting satiety and thus prevent cravings.
Drink only calorie-free beverages if possible.
Avoid white flour products. The whole grain variety keeps you full longer and also contains more nutrients.
Healthy fats, such as from avocados or olive oil, are also suitable during a diet.

Healthy recipes for weight loss can be found, for example, in Mediterranean cuisine or in a low-carb diet. A crash diet is rather inadvisable, as it usually leads to the dreaded yo-yo effect and also slows down metabolism.

An active life will make it easier for you to lose weight. Because exercise increases energy consumption and activates your metabolism. It doesn't always have to be sports. Regular walks, taking the stairs more often, or cycling to work can already be useful.

Healthy weight loss – pills for support

Certain foods or food ingredients can stimulate your metabolism and thus increase your calorie deficit. For example, spicy foods like chili have an activating effect. Such ingredients are also available in capsule form for easy use. But healthy sleep is also important for an optimal metabolism.

Conclusion: Weight loss pills

There is no magic pill for quick weight loss. A healthy diet, exercise, and sufficient sleep, on the other hand, are more likely to help you achieve your sustainable dream weight. Weight loss pills from reputable manufacturers can support you and activate your metabolism. This makes it easier for you to achieve your goals.