The Dangers of Diet Pills

If you would like to know the scoop on diet pills and why they are considered to be dangerous, you have come to the right place. Here are some interesting facts about the dangers of diet pills, some of which you might have heard and a few side effects which may surprise you.

Downside of Diet Pills

diet pill risks
Risks of diet pills

Yes, there is most definitely a downside to taking diet pills, whether they have been prescribed by a doctor or purchased over the counter. In some cases, taking diet pills can actually bring weight loss, but is it worth the risks, especially when those few pounds will eventually be returning? Here are a few of the many risks of taking diet pills.

You cannot trust or rely on product labels. 

If you are purchasing store bought weight loss pills and products, you cannot trust the claims found on the label or box. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released a report which found that twenty percent of all supplement and weight loss labels are guilty of making illegal claims. Even if the pills promise to be herbal or all-natural, this does not mean they are truly safe to take.

There are often numerous side effects when taking diet pills.

Depending on the type of diet pills you take, there can be numerous side effects, some of which can become uncomfortable, if not downright dangerous to your body. Some of the more common side effects of diet pills include headaches, constipation and mood swings. In diet pills containing fat blockers, you can expect symptoms such as upset stomach, diarrhea, gas and poor nutrient absorption.

The ineffective results of diet pills often lead to dehydration.

Due to the combination of caffeine and several diuretics, many diet pills are not helping you lose weight. Those first few pounds you shed was likely water loss, which is not a true type of weight loss. Sadly, extreme water loss while taking diet pills can lead to dangerous levels of dehydration.

Taking diet pills can be very addicting.

When you choose to take diet pills, there is always the risk of becoming addicted. Sure, it is only diet pills but they actually contain a plethora of addictive and dangerous ingredients including amphetamines, antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.

Diet pills can damage your heart and other organs.

Many diet pills and appetite suppressants are designed to stimulate the nervous system, and the results can be felt relatively quickly. Most commonly, your heart rate will increase which also raises your blood pressure, which can lead to arrhythmia, cardiac arrest or heart attack – none of which are worth those few pounds you may or may not lose.

Diet pills can add stress to your circulatory system.

Ever taken a diet pill and experienced the rush felt when your heartbeat sped up, only to wind up with a terrible headache? Since the FDA made ephedra illegal in weight loss drugs and products, companies are working diligently to come up with a substitute. Why would companies want to offer a product that raises blood pressure and stresses the circulatory system?

It is believed that some diet pills cause heart valve abnormalities.

While it is true that heart valves will eventually start to leak a tiny bit with age, there are some prescription drugs designed to help people lose weight which can also cause heart valve abnormalities, including leakage. This risk is a concern for those who have taken diet pills for three months or longer. This is why some medical doctors will prescribe twelve weeks of taking diet pills, followed by intervals where no weight loss drugs are taken.

Weight Loss Surgery vs Diet Pills

As a rule, most medical doctors will not prescribe diet pills to patients unless they are considered to be obese and many who will not prescribe diet pills at all, due to the above mentioned risks. Additionally, if you are obese, you would have to take diet pills for a very long time to see any real results, which means being at risk of the many side effects listed above.

When considering all of the dangers associated with diet pills, weight loss surgery is fast becoming the more popular and sensible option. Medical doctors are starting to agree that Bariatric surgery is safer than the prolonged use of diet pills and other drugs prescribed for weight loss. Unlike diet pills, weight loss surgery slowly teaches the patient how to make better nutritional choices for a lifetime of better habits.