How do Weight Loss Pills Work?

How do Weight Loss Pills Work?

 Weight Loss Pills work through three major ways:

1.      By suppressing appetite

2.      By blocking digestion

3.      By increasing metabolic rate

Let us discuss and understand the method of working of these Weight Loss Pills.

Appetite Suppressants:

Drugs which help working on suppressing the appetite are known as Anoretic Drugs.  When thse drugs are consumed , either in pill form or powered form, they make you feel full so that you don’t want to consume food at all.  Thereby it makes one to lose weight by burning calories.

There are two types of appetite suppressants- one which works on the Gastro-intestinal Tract and the other which works on the brain. Both of them have similar effects but in different ways. Those which work on the GIT mostly consist of plant fibres like bran which cause swelling of food within the GIT and hence prevent the want to consume food. Certain other pills which are made along with guar gum are not to be consumed in larger quantities due to their adverse effects.

The drugs which work on the brain produce signals which are transmitted when one feels full. These drugs are excellent as a suppressant but they are banned by FDA due to their side effects. Hence they are not to be used in excess quantities. Some of these drugs are Phentermine, Fenfluramine,  Diethylpropion, Rimonabant, Sibutramine. The dosage of Sibutramine is 10md once a day. Their common side effects are headache, dry mouth, and constipation.

Fat Blockers:

These drugs are also known as Fat trappers or Fat binders. Chitosan, commonly used, is made from the powdered shells of different kinds of shellfish. It binds with the fat in the food, thus removing the fat through the excreta. A recently developed ingredient from the cactus Opuntia also acts as a fat blocker. Though the side effects of fat binders is known to reduce with time, the fat soluble vitamins A,D,E and K get excreted along with the fat.

Fat burners:

Fat burners contain a combination of ingredients such as pyruvates, essential fatty acids and certain herbal stimulants. The kinds of fat burners are :

Thermogenic fat burners:

These work by increasing the rate of metabolism of the body hence spending more calories. These can be effectively used along with regular exercise schedule.

Topical Fat burners

Topical burners are in the form of a cream or gel, which to be applied in those areas where there is excess deposition of fat or cellulite. They are to be rubbed into the skin till they seem to disappear. Though the logic behind this method is difficult to prove, it works!

Green Tea fat burners:

Green tea is a natural health drink. It is a good antioxidant and it contains caffeine which is a good fat burner.

Liquid fat burners :

These liquid fat burners are faster than oral pills as they work as an energy boost for several hours.
Fat burning Foods:

Some spices and herbs help decrease body fat as well as add taste and aroma to the food. Eg: turmeric, cardamom and black pepper.