Prescription drugs popularly appear to be authoritative, effective approaches in confronting health-related issues. One of the more problematic concerns prevalent in American society is the aim for successful weight loss. The media has contributed to the renowned reputation that medications in general have.

Various advertisements show the “before and after” physique of a person after having taken prescribed medicines, which enabled him to shed off excess pounds in just a matter of days.

Some ads even use celebrities and key personalities in an attempt to provide more credibility to the said medication. This further supports how medications are generally packaged to be enticing, tempting, and convincing. Furthermore, prescription drugs relatively enjoy higher levels of support and authority than other over-the-counter (OTC) drugs because a doctor’s prescription backs them up.

Perhaps if we’re talking about effectiveness in causing weight loss, some prescription drugs hit the mark: you will undoubtedly lose those extra, unwanted pounds. However, more urgent issues need to be addressed: What are the risks?

Researchers Expose the Risks of a Widely-prescribed Diet Drug

Fortunately, concerned health practitioners and researchers exhibit vigilance. They aid in increasing the number of studies that reveal the dangerous effects of prescription drugs to protect public welfare. Prescription drugs have been proven to induce side effects that are physically and mentally dangerous, not to mention the detriments that a relapse usually causes.

Commissioned by the European Union’s European Medical Agency, a new study was conducted towards the effects of a weight loss drug called Meridia. Meridia operates by regulating serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain, and was approved in the U.S. in 1997.

Formerly, initial studies before 2002 took place and yielded evidences that the drug raised pulse rates and blood pressure—which were symptomatic of and factors for heart disease. Although the Food and Drug Authority of the U.S. included a caveat on these risks in the drug’s label; the said findings pushed the more recent study to take form.

According to the results of the new trial, as published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), among approximately 10,000 obese or overweight patients, Meridia users have a 16% greater risk of having heart attack and stroke over an average of 3.4 years than placebo-users. The trial only involved those who have a history of heart disease or diabetes, or both. This is especially troubling because such patients that use Meridia are rendered more vulnerable to experiencing a second attack; which aggravates the fact that being obese already positions them in hot waters—at higher risk of heart issues compared to healthier individuals.

The FDA advisory committee will assess and review the updated data regarding Meridia, and gauge whether it should still be available in the market.

Despite Mixed Interpretations: Do benefits outweigh the potential harm and increased risk brought by Meridia?

What about the risks of Meridia for people who do not have a history of heart disease, stroke or diabetes?

According to the executive editor of the NEJM, Dr. Gregory Curfman, the evidences show that increased risks are significant to all patients, whether they suffer from a history of heart disease or not.  In contrast, according to the conducted study’s authors, the increased risks only applied to those with previous heart disease or diabetes history. Additional data following the paper’s submission show that Meridia takers without previous history lowered their risk of heart-related conditions. The lead author of the study claims that there is a need for perspective: given the best evidence at hand, prohibition of use should only be for people with heart attack or stroke history.

As such, FDA’s advisory committee is likely to tackle these contrasting arguments. Others, such as Curfman and cardiologist Dr. Steve Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, seem more inclined to view the drug as having little benefits compared to higher risk of heart attack and stroke. With only a small amount of pounds that were shed, around 9 lbs over the course of the conducted study, it is important for FDA to establish health outcome benefits if ever it decides to retain the drug in the market. The dangerous effects of prescription drugs must not be discarded.

Gradual and Healthy Ways of Losing Weight

But why settle for an easy but unhealthy way of losing weight that impose increased risks, when you can opt for weight loss the healthy and natural way? There are natural methods that can prove to be more beneficial; and these are both easily available and relatively more affordable.

The best part is that you will not experience side effects that prescribed medication potentially induces. Furthermore, although natural methods entail more effort and sweat on your part, the results are more rewarding. So if you’re still on prescription drugs, it is suggested that you lay them off and consider other healthy ways of losing weight.

The most common methods utilized by people who have successfully lost weight are through maintaining proper diet and exercising regularly. However, there are other tips that are most often overlooked; but if properly adhered to, these will lead to a healthier, lighter you.

Heavy Breakfast

It is highly recommended that you take a healthy and heavy breakfast, considering that it should already include the necessary daily caloric allotment. Old notions can still ring true: Breakfast, as your grandparents usually say, is the most important meal of the day. For dieting purposes, it also has to be your heaviest meal for the day’s duration. Given one big push in the first meal of the day, your cravings will be more manageable and stabilized.

Slow and Gradual Weight Loss

Stop succumbing to the ideal scene of shedding several pounds in a matter of days. This spells failure on your goal to succeed; or if you do succeed, your body will be rewarded with an unhealthy status. It is best to set goals that could be realistically achieved for your weight loss plan. If you carry it out too fast, it would negatively affect your nervous system—resulting to sluggishness, energy drain and other illnesses. Rather than losing fat, research shows that quick dropping of weight actually costs your body water and muscle.

Social and Emotional Aspects of Weight Loss

You may not be aware of this, but emotions play a significant part in your eating habits. If you strive to free yourself from stress and if you battle against depressive states by being optimistic and having a generally good outlook on your life, your eating habits will be healthier. You will lessen intake of “comfort foods” that lack necessary nutrients in losing weight, such as ice creams and junk foods.

It means a lot to have people around you who support your weight loss plan. Encouragement, as in many things in life, leads to push you and motivate you in sticking to your goal until the end. Furthermore, it is a big boost on your morale you when you feel that you are not alone in your struggle when you receive substantial concern and support.

Indeed, you will have to welcome modifications in your lifestyle and perspectives in order for your weight-loss plan to succeed. These are priceless ways of achieving your goal. You won’t be spending as much costs as you would on medications. Additionally, you are not only assured of losing weight: You are sure to emerge as a healthier individual.

Sources
news.yahoo.com
longevitymedicine.tv
naturalhealthontheweb.com
healthnew.org
helpguide.org