5 Myths and Facts on Weight Loss Supplements
WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENTS – FIVE (05) MYTHS AND THE FACTS
“Any port in a storm” This is practically the distant dream of every person who is obese and who would want to shed all those extra pounds would be, before hitting the bed at night to retire.
Popping in a few very colorful tablets or capsules, packed in equally colorful packs would be the answer, one might think, and faulting them for that would not be the right thing to do because they have not been educated as to the consequences of their actions.
We take a close look at those MYTHS with the facts to ensure that every person who is obese would have the right information with them before they embark on any such endeavor especially taking weight loss supplements without the proper advice forthcoming.
#1. MYTH !
AN EFFECTIVE APPETITE SUPPRESSANT IS THE AFRICAN HERB – HOODIA
The Fact!
There is some anecdotal evidence filtering down through generations from those who have been living in the African Continent that the African Hoodia plant keeps away hunger, especially useful when undertaking long journeys in the harsh arid lands of this area.
This has not been scientifically proven but research done on animals have shown that when the active ingredient found in the African Hoodia plant which is referred to as P57, is injected into their brains they do eat less than what they would generally consume.
The ingredient P57 has still to be tested on humans in a controlled environment and until then it would remain a Myth and one based on anecdotal evidence only.
#2. MYTH !
WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENTS CAN REPLACE DIET AND EXERCISE
The Fact!
Weight loss experts, doctors, nutritionists, dietitians and practically every label on packs of weight loss supplements would assertively emphasize that a healthy and balanced diet coupled with regular exercise is inevitably necessary to shed those extra pounds.
The popular over the counter (OTC) drug “Alli” which is a similar version of the more strengthened drug “Orlistat” should be considered only as a boost for any weight loss initiative and to help dieting and exercise but would never be a replacement for either or both.
For example if you take “Alli” as a supplement during any weight loss program, it is necessary that your diet consists of low fat foods with not more than 15 grams of fat per meal.
If you fail to do so there could be very unpleasant and uncomfortable side effects because “Alli” prevents our gut from absorbing some of the fat we would consume and it would be flushed out leaving us feeling bloated and stained.
Hence it is necessary that we change our diet if we are to consume “Alli” and this is so with any weight loss supplementary drug you may take which would need a rethink of your dieting habits.
#3. MYTH !
FAT IS BURNED OUT WITH GREEN TEA SUPPLEMENTS
The Fact!
It is known that Green Tea does help to burn off fat and help weight loss but sitting on a couch and drinking cup after cup of it or any supplement derived from it, would not in any way help you in your quest to reduce weight, on the contrary you may end up with other more serious complications.
Any substantive effects in weight loss seen, when drinking Green Tea or imbibing on any supplement derived from it, would be due to the content of Caffeine in it with another compound referred to as Epigallocatechin (EGCG) also helping in the endeavor.
Green Tea contains Caffeine a substance that could cause you to move more and when you do so calories are burned out but those who are sensitive to Caffeine or other Caffeine based supplements are better advised to avoid or reduce intake as there could be effects on their heart rhythms and could also suffer from insomnia.
#4. MYTH!
A SAFE SUBSTITUTE FOR EPHEDRA IS BITTER ORANGE
The Fact!
Being somewhat similar to Ephedra, may not be a good thing for Bitter Orange as the former was banned by the Federal Drug Agency (FDA) in 2004, after it was directly linked to some very high profile deaths.
Ephedra was known to cause increased blood pressure and arrhythmia and Bitter Orange with synephrine a similar ingredient to ephedrine which was the active ingredient in ephedra, is believed to carry the same risks associated with the same dangers.
While another school of thought believes, that the effects of Bitter Orange have been exaggerated hence with no conclusive evidence to either rule in its favor or not, avoiding Bitter Orange until such time it is declared safe, refraining from consuming it would be our better judgment.
#5. MYTH!
ITS SAFE, AS LONG AS IT IS ON THE STORE SHELF
The Fact!
A startling fact that many of us may not be apprised of, would be that weight loss supplements are neither tested nor approved by any of the numerous governmental agencies that have the jurisdiction over such matters.
A notion that could prevail in the minds of average Americans would be that, the relevant government agencies that have the jurisdiction to oversee these drugs, would not approve them, if they are dangerous or risky for human consumption, in which case they would not find their way to the store shelf.
It is at best a reactive and not a proactive role that the Federal Drug Agency (FDA) plays on this front, which is why they investigated in 2004 and found that a majority of weight loss supplements found on store shelves contained laxatives, diuretics, prescription weight loss drugs and other medications constituting them, were not included on the label as Federal Law dictates.
The list of such weight loss supplements were an incredible 69 in total and a Federal Drug Agency investigation is since underway hence what you find on the store shelf may not be what it is when displayed prominently and with attractive offers to boot. FDA Approved CLA Safflower Oil for Weight loss in 2017.
