Weight Loss Tablets & Pills: Does weight loss medication work?

What Are Weight Loss Pills?

Weight loss pills are oral tablets that you take that (allegedly) help you to lose weight. They can be herbal dietary supplements made with all-natural ingredients, over-the-counter medication, or prescription drugs that require a doctor’s note.

Not all weight loss drugs work the same. Pills could work in one or more of the following ways:

As an appetite suppressant: this type of pill will help you full so that you don’t eat as much
To prevent absorption: this type of pill will prevent your body from absorbing too many calories from the food you do eat
To increase fat burning: this type of pill will help you burn more calories faster

How Big Is The Weight Loss Supplements Industry?

While getting an exact number for weight loss pill sales is difficult, we do know that the weight loss industry as a whole is huge. In this year alone, Australians will probably spend over $AUD 300-million on special diets, low-cal food, and weight loss supplements.

Do Weight Loss Pills Work?

Of course, the biggest question is whether or not weight loss pills actually work, or if they’re just too good to be true. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no.

First, it’s important to know that there are so many “magic” weight loss pills out there that promise results without actually having any scientific research to back them up. On the other end of the spectrum, you have doctors prescribing medications that are proven to help combat obesity.

So, while you are more likely to come across a bogus weight loss pill, there are still many others that can help you achieve your weight goals. You just need to do your research, read reviews, and talk to your doctor about your options.

Ingredients Commonly Found In Natural Weight Loss Supplements

For most plants-and-herbs-based dietary supplements, you’ll find the following popular ingredients:

Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the most commonly-used substances on earth, and people consume it every day to feel less tired and boost their energy. But it can also increase your metabolism and fat-burning capabilities. Caffeine is pretty effective and has some scientific basis, but there are some people who don’t react well to it.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract (or GTE) contains EGCG, an antioxidant that some studies have shown can help you lose weight. GTE stimulates the production of norepinephrine, which is a hormone naturally produced in your body that burns fat.

Green Coffee Bean

Green coffee beans are the same as your regular everyday coffee beans, except they’re unroasted. The extract from these beans contains a couple of fat-blasting ingredients like chlorogenic acid and caffeine. Research suggests that green coffee bean extract helped people lose more weight than a placebo.

Raspberry Ketones

Obviously found in the raspberry fruit, raspberry ketones encourage the breakdown of fat in the body. Many weight loss supplements boast this ingredient. However, there are still no studies on the effectivity of raspberry ketones when it comes to weight loss in humans.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

The best thing about CLA is the fact that its weight loss effects have been studied and peer-reviewed. Even without exercise or a change in diet, you could lose a small amount of weight just by adding CLA into your diet. Supplements with CLA help to increase your metabolism, reduce your appetite, and break down fat faster.

Garcinia Cambogia Extract

Studies are split on this one. Garcinia cambogia is a small fruit that contains hydroxycitric acid, the active ingredient that may help reduce your cravings and inhibit the production of fat.

The Best Weight Loss Pills On The Market

PhenQ

Cost: $AUD 119.95/60 capsules

The company behind PhenQ has done extensive studies on their product, and the results are in: PhenQ is clinically proven to help you lose weight. While it’s a bit pricey, you certainly get what you pay for – just check out the amazing before and after photos on their website.

Orlistat

Cost: $AUD 39.94/60 capsules at Walmart

This weight loss medication is available over-the-counter as Alli and by prescription as Xenical. Orlistat is scientifically proven to be effective at helping you shed more pounds as well as reducing your blood pressure. However, you need to be wary of side effects like diarrhea and vitamin deficiency.

Duromine

Cost: $AUD 105/30 capsules

Duromine (generic name phentermine) is a prescription-only drug that is prescribed to patients who are obese or overweight.

In conjunction with a healthy diet and a moderate amount of exercise, Duromine can help you lose more weight by suppressing your appetite. You should be careful with Duromine, which is nicknamed “legal speed” because of the similarity of the effects like sleeplessness, dry mouth, and headaches.

Conclusion

While weight loss pills promise you incredible results, you should always take it with a grain of salt. Even doctors will tell you that the best (and most sustainable) way to lose weight is to follow that old advice – eat healthy and exercise a lot.