South Beach Diet & Other Weight Loss

Robert Kamau asked:


You can start to lose weight by choosing working out the amount of food calories that you eat in each of your daily meals. The best way to effectively lose weight is not by starvation but by gradually varying your daily calorie intake.

1. Write down what you eat

Carry a small note book and record the types of food you eat on a daily basis. Once you have completed a week’s diet, you can use the calorie charts to know by how much you need to cut down guided by the charts.

2. Reduce the list

Review the list of foods you eat in a week and decide which ones you need to cut out all together to lose weight. Food with a lot of fats will need to be reduced and replaced. You should however not starve yourself trying to lose weight since your body’s metabolism also adjusts to burn the same amount of calories as eaten.

3. Find alternatives to the foods you remove from the list

You can easily reduce the foods that you feel are unhealthy like sodas and fries with something healthier like water and fiber foods like dried apricots, nuts, rice cakes, fruits, baby carrots and cherry tomatoes. White meat is a better replacement for red meats since they are low in fat. You can use fish and chicken for example to replace the pork and beef that you usually devour in a week.

4. Create a weekly menu

For faster weight loss you will need to develop a lean weekly menu that has healthier alternatives. You can use cookbooks and the internet to see your choices. It is important to ensure that your weekly diet gradually reduces the calorie intake in your food. This is how you will lose weight, not by reducing the amount of food but by lowering your calorie intake. Try to resist the temptation to take junk foods like pizza, fries and burgers.

5. Control your Food Portions

Effective and fastest weight loss will need you to cut down. The good way to force yourself to stop over eating unnecessary food is to cut a small piece of the food and put it away and then eat the smaller portion. Eating small portions of fiber and low in fat foods has been found to aid weight loss. These tend to keep metabolism running throughout the day and eventually burns excess fats.

6. Eat Some Fiber

Fiber is as important if not more as water in losing weight. Fiber has been found to assist in consistent digestion of food hence retaining just enough metabolism burning calories and body fat. The more efficient your digestive system, the more chances you have in losing weight fast and easily.

7. Drink Lots of water

How can you lose weight by drinking water? Water is a very essential part of any weight loss diet and you should take lots of it to avoid being dehydrated. When your body detects that you are facing dehydration, it retains water in very unsightly areas. This is extra weight that you can do without if you are looking for a way to start noticing weight loss goals.

8. Do lots of exercise

Does exercise help in quick loss of weight? There are two ways of losing weight namely dong lots of exercise or simply increasing your metabolism rate. Doing exercise and being able to stick to a metabolic weight loss diet plan will see you achieve results faster than using one of these 2 methods.

9. Do some weight loss aerobics

Aerobic activities will help you lose weight faster. Good aerobics include jogging, brisk walking, aerobics machines and cycling. There will not only help you lose weight but also keep your heart healthy and lean. You can reduce the risk of heart problems with a regular aerobic regime.

10. Sleep

A good night’s rest will increase your chances of losing weight. You should ensure that you have enough sleep time every night in addition to taking rest durations after every 72 hours of exercise. Lack of good rest has been found to seriously impede your rate of weight loss.

11. Lift some weight

How can I convert fat into muscle? Weight lifting further helps you in weight loss since it burns extra fat on muscles and helps convert fat tissue into muscle.

12. Patience

Most people go into a weight loss diet program expecting a miracle within a week. Metabolism is a natural process that follows a slow curve to start realizing results. Having patience will also help you to be more resilient and follow your weight loss diet plan or exercise regime to achieve results.

13. Confidence

Confidence helps you achieve your weight loss targets without giving up just when you were about to make it. If you are in a weight loss diet program, you will need to be disciplined enough to refrain from binge eating or cheating on your plan. If you are confident to achieve the weight level you set out for then you most likely will be more adept to keeping to your weight loss exercise or diet program.

14. Discipline, consistency and self motivated

It takes a relatively sustained weight loss diet or exercise plan to finally achieve results. In order for you to maintain such strict programs, you will want to be disciplined in following food and exercise regimes. The buck stops with you in keeping the consistency needed. Likewise being motivated to achieve your results should be able to enable you have a self drive towards your weight loss goals.

John Hubert asked:


A fad is something that is embraced very enthusiastically for a short period of time. It makes sense that these fad diets are catching on and burning holes in people’s wallets on a daily bases. The problem of weight loss has not vanished for decades and seems to be a gigantic problem, worldwide. Often people become hopeless with their weight issues and embark on a quest for a simple approach to losing weight. Upon searching they discover dieting plans that seem to offer the secret potion to their dieting needs; they discover one of the thousands of fad diets.

Fad diets, why are they bad?

Where do I start to explain the harmful effects of fad dieting? Fad diets devastate millions of people’s lives each and every day. Consequentially, many countless effects on your body are affected, including your heart. However, your emotional state of mind also becomes tremendously altered, often causing you to seek out a cure for your depression. However, depression from a fad diet might sound a little far fetched to many skeptics; I will show how this butterfly effect can impact your life and having you seeking the cure for your depression.

A Common Scenario

Let’s say you explore around the internet and you find the Atkins Diet; it’s so popular it must work, right. This diet appeals to you because it low-carbohydrate diet and carbs equal weight; there are two focal factors affecting the eating habits in today’s society. The more you read about this dieting plan the more you get false impressions, that this will change your life. You will be able to drop the weight, finally. You’re uplifted at your new discovery and you proceed with the Atkins Diet and begin melting away the weight.

You look and feel better for about two weeks; dresses you always wanted to fit in, now effortlessly fit. You’re under the false perception that you have found a truly wonderful dieting plan. However, you get off the dieting plan and discover that you have gained all this repulsive weight back. You mope around the house for a little while only to discover the South Beach Diet, this appeals to you because it explains that your body loses weight by going through phases, just like Atkins did only with much more complicated and refined jargons.

Again, you lose weight and feel great for a diminutive amount of time only to gain the weight back, once more. This is discouraging and you might opt to try another fad diet, only to be burned countless times.

Are you beginning to understand the endless path, in which you keep allowing yourself to go through? Over a period of time you will be left depressed and seeking the cure for your depression. This is the most injurious part to fad diets. They damage your emotional comfort, silently and leave you seeking the cure to your depression.

Find The Cure For Your Depression

The effects that fad dieting has on your emotions is actually depressing. You are provided with a sense of false hope that only leaves you in search of cure for your depression. This butterfly effect is affecting millions of people worldwide. As a result, new diets are manifesting and arriving by the shipload. Did you know that 45 million people have already fallen victim to the Adkins Diet?

I want you to imagine something you believe in whole-heartedly. Now take the time to think how you would feel if you found out your belief was 100% wrong. This is the same as believing in your best friend and then realizing he/she has been stealing money from you. You would then have to reconsider all of your positive memories and reevaluate numerous memories. This would cause a horrifying effect on your emotional well-being. Fad diets are the same and will leave you seeking a cure to your depression.

Ron Subs asked:


Weight loss diet plans come in all kinds of packages. Some are low-fat, high carb. Some are high-protein, with little or no carbs at all. Some require that you eat a strange combination of foods. When you think about the Nutrisystem diet, consider how it stacks up with some of the others.

1. A good, healthy diet will have plenty of variety in fresh fruits and vegetables. Many diets do well in this category. Nutrisystem itself encourages dieters to eat about 4 cups of fruits and vegetables a day. They plan for you to eat a lot of salad, including fat-free salad dressings in with their meals.

Weight Watchers gives values to all the fruit and vegetables and leaves it up to you as to how many you will eat. While this may seem haphazard, it really works if the dieter stays with it. The reason is that eating small amounts of high point foods will leave them hungrier than eating a lot of lower point foods like fruits and vegetables. Over time, they will switch to a healthier way of eating. The weekly meetings encourage this.

The Sonoma Diet has healthy fruits and vegetables, but the emphasis is on eating smaller portions of everything. This does not give these colorful food groups the boost they need in the diets of most overweight people. However, some of the top ten power foods in the diet are vegetables and fruits.

2. A healthy diet has high quality carbohydrates. Nutrisystem is making its theme the good carbs and bad carbs idea. They have very few menu items that are fast-acting carbohydrates, although the regular Nutrisystem diet does have some desserts with 12 or more grams of sugar. If you prefer not to have these desserts, you can do the diabetes diet from Nutrisystem.

Here again, Weight Watchers depends on the points system to encourage people to go for the healthier carbohydrates. They cost fewer points, so dieters can eat more of them. The support system focuses on getting people to make healthy carb choices.

The Sonoma recommends a Mediterranean style diet that includes whole grains. In fact, whole grains are considered one of the top ten power foods of the Sonoma Diet. Wine can be considered a carbohydrate, and the Sonoma diet permits it. It is not considered to be a good carb by most diets, but it does have some health benefits.

3. You need protein to make a diet complete. The Nutrisystem program includes lean meats and dairy to take care of protein needs. Some of the entrees are based on soy protein rather than meat. If you want your meals ready to eat, the Nutrisystem diet makes getting your protein fairly easy.

Weight Watchers has a point system for proteins as well. It is much less complicated than some of their other point system values. Lean meats, fish, and soy are all acceptable within the Weight Watchers diet. There is no guessing about how much protein you will eat. It is a set amount every day.

The Sonoma Diet does not highlight meats or other proteins as the main features of their plan. No protein food is among their ten power foods. Yet, the Sonoma Diet is all about enjoying food rather than avoiding particular foods. You will not have to give up all meats on this diet.

Nutrisystem has all the healthy components of a good diet. There are a few unfortunate slips, such as the sugar in some of their desserts. Some other diets, like the Sonoma Diet, are more focused on taste than this diet is. However, the Nutrisystem shapes up fairly well along with these other diets.

Anthony Lee asked:


A diet of low fat low carb foods can be suitable for people of all ages. Consuming low fat low carb foods can decrease the chance of heart and liver disease, and force the body to use fat stores as a source of energy. Low fat low carb foods, therefore, can help you lose weight faster.

A diet of low fat low carb foods, however, should be supplemented by increased water intake, since the amount of proteins in the diet will rise considerably. Increased protein consumption can tax on the kidneys, so you may need to drink liquids constantly to flush the toxins out.

A diet rich in low fat low carb foods should also be joined to exercise, relaxation, and sleep. Many people complain that low fat low carb foods decrease their concentration and make them feel sluggish. This is because they rely solely on low fat low carb foods to make them lose weight, instead of walking around, stretching their muscles, and allowing their brains to secrete endorphins, which can add to their energy stores.

Here are a few low fat low carb foods that you might want to try out. You will need a lot of proteins to keep your brain functioning, so buy fish such as salmon, tuna, sole, trout, and flounder. If you cannot stand the smell of fish, you can steam it in salt and pepper, or wrap it in aluminum foil and bake it with dill, sage, and parsley. There are many ways to mask the smell of fish, so consult with cookbooks on how you can create a heavenly meal without straining your nose.

If you do not want to eat meat, then you can rely on fresh vegetables and fruits to provide you the nutrients and energy you need. Avoid root crops, such as potatoes or yams, and go for leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and parsley. Add to your green salad by throwing in slices of cucumber, radish, celery, peppers, and arugula. You can also have a cup of artichokes, okra, cabbage, leeks, or broccoli.

If you plan to go on a diet of low fat low carb foods, consult first with your dietitian or nutritionist. Many low fat low carb foods can interfere with medications or other existing bodily conditions, or can exacerbate low blood pressure and anemia. Your health is your first priority, so if such foods interfere with your well-being, then you should stick to a balanced diet and engage in more exercise instead.

Ron Subs asked:


Although many different diet pills are available to take, you might not need them if you are following a pre-packaged diet. There are several problems with taking diet pills, yet many people still continue to take them. The only pills you should need are a few kinds of supplements.

You may be taking cheap over-the-counter diet pills or prescription diet drugs from your doctor along with your Nutrasystem, Jenny Craig, or Medifast diet. No one says that you cannot take diet pills when you are on the program.

In either case, though, the pills inevitably come with warnings. They might raise the blood pressure or even cause heart attacks. You might be advised to watch for anxiety and nervousness. The pills’ literature might warn of serious possible organ damage.

Other side effects of some of the newer drugs have more to do with the digestive tract. Because many of these drugs work by preventing absorption of fats, they send those same fats skimming through the digestive system at a fast rate. You can experience diarrhea, flatulence, or even incontinence.

Nutrasystem is one diet that encourages the use of one particular over-the-counter diet pill, Alli. They do not say that you need to take it, but they offer counseling for anyone who is thinking of or is now taking it.

Jenny Craig does not condone the use of diet pills as a way to help with weight loss, and they do not include appetite suppressants in their pre-packaged meals, either. For that matter, Nutrasystem meals do not have appetite suppressants or stimulants in them either.

On the other hand, Medifast has publicized its value in a program that includes diet drugs. It goes on to state that it does not push the use of diet pills. However, the company understands that diet drugs do exist and that people use them. They explain that people do better with diet pills when they are on the Medifast diet.

There are a few good reasons why you do not need diet pills when you follow a pre-packaged diet. First of all, the meals of the diet are spaced out through the day to keep the metabolism going strong and to promote weight loss. Along with these benefits, the meal spacing means that you will be able to eat at several times during the day to maintain a feeling of satisfaction.

One type of pills you will probably need along with the Nutrasystem, Jenny Craig, or Medifast diet program is vitamin and mineral supplements. Some diets make vitamins and mineral supplements available and recommend their use when appropriate. For people who cannot tolerate milk, for example, the programs work best if the person takes a calcium supplement.

Diet pills per se are not necessary for any good diet, whether it is Nutrasystem, Jenny Craig, or Medifast. However, some diet companies support some diet pills. You have to decide for yourself whether it is worth the aggravation of dealing with any side effects you might experience.

Kelly Kita asked:


Bathing Suit Season: Online Diets To the Rescue

As summer rapidly approaches, many of us have visions of lying on the shore basking in the rays while the sound of the ocean roars in the background. Back to reality! Many of us dread summertime for one reason: it’s time to break out of our winter layers that hide those extra pounds we picked up over the holidays and suit up!

Men and women alike face those embarrassing situations where they feel as if they are the fattest person on the beach and would rather hide than slap on the SPF. But, there are solutions for those who want to make a change to better their health and self-esteem! There are many programs for diets that can bust those extra fat cells that crept on your thighs from grandma’s blueberry pie.

No, you don’t even have to leave your house and join a conventional weight-loss program if you don’t want to. The Internet has broadened our choices even when it comes to weight loss. Losing those stubborn inches does boost self image and better your health.

Did you know about these frightening statistics?

• Obesity and remaining overweight is the second-leading cause of preventable death in the US, according to government statistics.

• Obesity causes over 280,000-325,000 deaths in the nation per year.

• More than half of all adults in the US are overweight.

• About 62% of women and 67% of men are overweight.

• About 1/3 of all Americans are overweight

Online diet programs offer advice, meal plans, work-out routines and support, all available at your fingertips. Forget going to see a trainer and participating in embarrassing weigh-ins, Internet diet plans can be done right at home.

A beneficial way to ensure you won’t fall into the fat trap is to compare programs for diets. A great way to save time is to check out 6StarReviews.com diet service comparisons.

They note that not only do some of the top-names in diet programs such as the South Beach Diet offer help, there are some solely dedicated to their online clientele, such as eDiets.

So before summer comes and your confidence disappears, try signing up for an online program that may be just what you needed.

Roger Grant asked:


Carbohydrates are major sources of energy and have some specific roles in the human body. They are the primary sources of fuel for the human brain. Although ketone bodies can supply most of the energy to the brain during a starvation state, the axons cannot use anything but glucose. This makes carbohydrates vital to the function of every single neuron in the brain and in the rest of the nervous system. In addition, carbohydrates are the only sources of fuel that are acceptable to the kidneys and the red blood cells. Now most people will find the necessity of carbohydrates to the red blood cells to be surprising because the red blood cells carry oxygen. However, their job is to transport the oxygen and not to use it up for themselves so they have to derive their energy from anaerobic glycolysis. However, the brain is by far the largest consumer of carbohydrates. The combination of the brain, kidneys, and red blood cells consume an average of about 130 to 150 grams (~500 to 600 calories) of carbohydrates per day.

If the body is deprived of adequate carbohydrates, it will use the processes of gluconeogenesis (making of new glucose) and ketogenesis (making of ketones) to provide energy for vital functions. It is important to note that fats are not good fuels for making glucose because the glycerol group is the only part of a triglyceride that can be used to manufacture glucose. The fatty acids themselves can only be oxidized or converted to ketones.

The major source of raw materials for making new glucose will come from the amino acids in muscle protein. All amino acids have an amine group, a carboxyl (acid), and a side chain which determines the type and nature of the amino acid. The different amino acids are peptide bonded in various combinations to make the different proteins in our bodies.

Whenever the body breaks down protein, the various amino acids are released. Some of these amino acids are suitable for making glucose (glucogenic), some are suitable for making ketone bodies (ketogenic), and some can be used for either purpose. In either case, the body has to remove the amine group from them before it can use them. The removed amine group will join other ions to become ammonia. However, because ammonia is toxic, the body will use the uric acid cycle to convert the ammonia into uric acid. This process takes place in the liver at the same time that the gluconeogenesis and the ketosis are taking place in the liver. Although uric acid is less toxic than ammonia, uric acid can still cause problems such as gout. The kidneys will perform extra work to flush out this uric acid via the urine. Because the kidneys need carbohydrates, they will be low on fuel while performing extra work to eliminate this waste. Loss of lean tissue to supply the amino acids and loss of water due to urine production account for much of the weight loss on low carb diets. Also, fatty acids and amino acids are being converted into ketone bodies to make up for the energy shortage. In other words, of the fat loss that actually occurs, much of it happens because by cutting out carbohydrates, the person is basically cutting calories.

It is important to know that the type of gluconeogenesis due to low carb diets occurs for a different reason and uses different raw materials from the type that occurs between sets of intense exercise. The type resulting from exercise uses lactic acid as the raw material and aerobic lipolysis as the source of energy. The type that results from low carb diets uses deaminated and decarboxylated amino acids as the raw materials, and is a starvation process. In addition, it receives the energy from ketone bodies which result from ketogenesis which is another starvation process. As a result, low carb diets are starvation diets by definition, and they cause the body to cannibalize its own living tissue (muscle) when it is starved of a vital nutrient (carbohydrates). This is consistent with the definition of a starvation diet.

Another interesting fact is that the body will inhibit glycolysis when carbohydrate (glycogen) stores are low. Because carbohydrates (due to glycolysis) produce usable energy (ATP) faster than any other nutrient, this explains the degraded athletic performance and lack of energy experienced by subjects on low carbohydrate diets. It is no surprise that triathletes, marathoners, power lifters, or other high level strength or endurance athletes would perform poorly on low carb diets. Also, the potential risks of low carb diets include overworked kidneys, gout, dehydration, mineral depletion, and hypoglycemia.

Andrea Simpson asked:


The latest dieting craze has no doubt been the low carb high protein diets. Those of you on Atkins, South Beach etc will no doubt have noticed a number of changes since you took up the diet. And no I’m not talking about the remarkable weight loss I am talking about your bad breath. Now it may not have been noticeable to you but I suggest you ask your friends or relatives whether there has been a detioration and you may be surprised by the answer. In fact you may even find your friends moving away from you when you speak which is always a sure sign of bad breath.

So what’s the cause of all this bad air? Well depending on which medical speak you speak with there are a number, yet similar, reasons for the problem. One of the reasons is directly related to the increase in protein which most of the low carb diets advocate.

Basically, we all have a large number of useful bacteria living mainly on our tongue and at the back of our throat. These bacteria are supposed to be there, because they assist humans in digestion by breaking down proteins found in specific foods, mucous or phlegm, blood, and in diseased or broken-down oral tissue.When these beneficial bacteria come into contact with these compounds, the odorous and lousy-tasting volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs’) are released from the back of the tongue and throat, as Hydrogen Sulphide, Methyl Mercaptan, and other odorous and bad tasting compounds.

Since the bacteria are meant to be in our mouth there is no way we can remove them permanently. So, no amount of brushing or tongue scraping will get rid of the VSCs’. The only scientifically proven way of curing your bad breath (Halitosis) is by attacking the bacteria’s ability to produce VSCs’ and by converting the VSC into non-odorous and non-tasting organic salts.

There are a number of ways in which the problem is worsened and the most common way is with dry mouth. This generally occurs while you are asleep and hence the reason you sometimes wake up with “morning breath”.

Although some cases of dry mouth are naturally occurring, most cases are caused by one of these factors: 1. Prescription Medications (usually prescribed for high blood pressure or depression)2. Antihistamines3. Adult Beverages4. Mouthwashes with alcohol in them

When your mouth is dryer, you have less Saliva. Saliva naturally contains Oxygen, which keeps your mouth healthy and fresh. These bacteria are anaerobic, which simply means that they will thrive and make more sulfur in the presence of little or no oxygen. Thus if you have less Saliva, you have less oxygen, thereby creating an anaerobic environment, perfect for the bacteria to produce more of these odorous and sour/bitter compounds.

Because of the increase in higher protein foods, on an Atkins type diet, especially dairy products, the amount of Volatile Sulfur Compounds increases dramatically and as such your breath gets worse accordingly. The only way to fight the problem is to try and supply oxygen to the bacteria causing the problem and remove as much of the VSCs’ as possible. This can be done in a number of ways:

Drink loads of water. This will help ensure your tongue and throat are kept moist and supplying oxygen to the VSC producing bacteria. Always clean your tongue with a tongue cleaner before brushing your teeth last thing at night and first thing in morning. You should also try and do this after every meal too. Use a mouthwash which does not contain any alcohol as alcohol can dry your mouth and make the problem worse. You can also dramatically improve matters by using an oxygenating mouthwash. You can find one by doing a Google on “oxygenating mouthwash”. Don’t chew gum, which contains sugar, to try and mask the bad breath. This can make matters worse. Use a sugar free gum instead.

The bottom line is that low carb diets will cause bad breath, although for some it will be a lot worse than others. However, help is at hand so if you want to shed the weight and not shed any friends then make sure and heed the advice given above.

Jennifer Jolans asked:


Here’s a simple diet plan for women. Weight loss should come pretty easy if you follow this or make just a few adjustments. Nothing complicated here… just take the next 2 minutes to read this to get an idea on what you have to do for some serious weight loss.

Diet Plan for Women Weight Loss

1. Breakfast

Have a protein shake with some cottage cheese in it. Also have a low calorie yogurt or 2 pieces of fruit. This will give you the necessary protein and energy to start the day out right. There’s some flexibility here. So don’t feel like you’re limited. Lots of choices and flavors you can mix and match here.

2. Lunch

Go with a soup or salad and make sure it has at least 20 grams of protein in it

Soups and salads are great for filling people up. But they’re missing something usually. What? PROTEIN. By adding protein, you’re making a meal out of it. Again, lots of choices here. Don’t get hung up on just 1 thing. You have options. You won’t get bored if you think creatively.

3. Dinners

A lean meat with 2 side dishes of vegetables is ideal. More good protein while having some healthy vegetables. Oh, one thing. Make sure 1 of the vegetables is NOT potatoes. Potatoes are a starchy carb and they spike your blood sugar too much. So it’s best to avoid them.

4. Snacks

Stick with apples and bananas. You can’t go wrong with these. You have no excuses either since apples and bananas are easy to bring anywhere.

Look, this basic diet plan for women weight loss is simple and uncomplicated and it’ll give you all the nutrition you want, while also giving you a burst of energy all while you’re losing weight. Don’t just think about doing this… DO IT NOW.

To read about an excellent diet to help you control your appetite and lose weight fast, visit this webpage: Fat Loss 4 Idiots Review

If you’re truly serious about losing weight, then go to the link below to read about Fat Loss 4 Idiots now.

Bob Dupuis lost 30 pounds using this amazing dieting system after being overweight all of his life. Learn how he did it here! Fat Loss 4 Idiots Review

Sandy Klocinski asked:


There are no two ways about it. Everybody wants to get slim to look beautiful. That is the new definition of beauty. No matter how attractive your facial features are, you have to be slim to be called beautiful. At the same time it is getting harder and harder to stay in shape mainly because our lifestyle is such that most of us do less physical work and our diet consists of high calorie junk food.

There are many ways people attempt to lose weight. Diets, pills, exercise are just a few of these methods. There are many diet pills that claim to help you get slim faster than the drop of a hat. You should be wary of such products since they can play havoc with your system. A very good example of such a weight loss pill is the Size Zero Pill. This particular pill is perhaps the latest on the weight loss circles but it is in fact, an approved FDA drug for horses and can have serious side effects on your health and can even prove fatal. It is imperative that you choose your weight loss or diet pill after careful assessment regarding its authenticity, side effects and price.

There are some completely natural and organic diet pills available that can help you slim down without any side effects. Moreover, they also help you reduce food cravings and suppress appetite naturally.

Diet pills aim to help overweight people  curb their hunger and therefore lose weight. They are invariably pharmacological substances, though herbal and other natural alternatives exist, too. If diet pills contain pharmacological agents, there is an issue of benefits vs. risks involved. Obviously, grossly obese patients with serious health risks caused by excessive weight do not have many options. However, many of the initially developed diet pills contained amphetamines. Examples of these were Dexedrine and Digoxin. These stimulants can increase heart rates to dangerous levels. Obese persons often have to reduce weight precisely because of existing or developing heart conditions. In this context, diet pills that contain amphetamines or similar stimulants present a definite risk. While they do curb hunger, they also disrupt normal sleep patterns, cause anxiety and are highly addictive. Their uncontrolled use leads to many serious problems. In fact, almost all diet pills work by disrupting some natural physical and even mental functions. This is an important point to remember.

Some active ingredients for diet pills in the recent past were phentermine and fenfluramine. These work by blocking certain metabolic feedback pathways that result in weight gain. Their use in combination apparently yielded considerable success, too. However, medical authorities took fenfluramine and its derivatives off the market when studies revealed that they could lead to heart valve damage. Topiramate and phentermine combinations are currently still in use. So are combinations of bupropion with zonisamide and naltrexone.

People tend to overeat for various reasons, many of which are psychological rather than physical. For this reason, there are pills that reduce excessive appetite because they correct a psychological or even psychiatric disorder. Again, these are not diet pills but do have the desired effect of helping curb appetite in overweight people.