The supposed natural remedies have become a very lucrative market because a lot of consumers are eager to try almost anything to achieve a rapid weight loss. However a review of medical records in Hongkong has shown 66 cases of suspicion of poisoning caused by what is supposed to be a “natural” form of slimming therapy.

Eight among those 66 cases showed people who became extremely sick and even caused one person to die. The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published this study.

The researchers of the aforementioned study took a close look at 81 of the slimming products the reported people have taken and its ingredients, and found 12 various agents that they classified under five categories: undeclared medications promoting weight loss; other drugs’ derivatives (unlicensed); forbidden drugs; drugs that were used for the wrong indication; and thyroid hormones.

Dr. Magdalene Tang of the Toxicology Reference Laboratory at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong said that people are drawn to the thought of using natural remedies because they have this preconceived notion that if something is natural, it is considered safe. However, this kind of mindset poses a couple of problems. First off, each of these natural agents are differently processed.  This goes to show that not everything is harmless. Second, the remedies may also contain manufactured drugs that have the potential of being really harmful.  However, with more awareness about the potential risks involved, Dr. Tang is positive that there will be fewer consumers who would make use of these so-called natural remedies.

The research may have focused on Hongkong cases alone but the work is something that has a global impact, especially considering that most of these natural slimming products can be easily availed over-the-counter, both inside and outside of Hong Kong where the laws regarding the regulation of such drugs are quite non-comprehensive. Also because today is the day and age of the Internet, anyone from anywhere in the world can easily have access to these weight loss supplements even if the region is implementing tight regulatory control.

Dr. Tang says that the best way to address this problem is when people stop patronizing such products and that the governments take immediate steps to create laws regarding it and embark on suitable surveillance actions. She is devoted to getting doctors to ask their patients whether or not they are using slimming products which they bought over-the-counter, especially when these patients comes into the clinic manifesting strange symptoms. Furthermore, she believes that an important element in the long term effort to eliminate the problem with so-called natural remedies is the active participation of front line medical staff together with toxicology laboratories.

The Dangers of Weight Loss Pills

The promise of weight loss is indeed very enticing, especially for people who are not very keen on doing exercise. Finding a product that offers a faster and easier way to lose weight may seem like hitting the jackpot. But before taking the plunge, you might need to know what’s inside those pills you are taking, because losing weight at the expense of one’s health is never a good bargain. Read on to know what your “natural” slimming pill may contain, and the dangers brought about by some of it.

Stomach Fillers

According to the Food and Drugs Association (FDA), there are some bulking agents included in these weight loss dietary supplements such as guar gum.  Known as stomach fillers, these cause swelling in the stomach and increases the feeling of “fullness” which can actually do more harm than good. The danger brought about by these stomach fillers is that it can cause possible blockages in the stomach, the intestines, or the esophagus.

Amphetamine Type Supplements

Other weight loss supplements work by reducing one’s appetite and lessening the craving for food.  This effect is brought about by the presence of amphetamine derivatives which can be highly addictive. Because this appetite reduction effect has a tendency to wear off if taken for a long period of time, this may tempt the user to take in larger doses, increasing addiction to the weight loss pills.

Based on clinical studies of these appetite suppressant drugs, if a minimum weight loss amount of four pounds is not met within four weeks, then it is highly unlikely for this supplement to cause significant weight loss in the long run.

Ephedra (Ma Huang)

Plenty of weight loss supplement users report adverse health effects with the pills containing ephedra/ephedrine.  It is a strong stimulant that can be found in well known “herbal” supplements. These adverse health effects include heart attacks, palpitations and strokes.

It is best to consult a doctor prior to trying out any diet supplement that contains ephedra.  This recommendation was issued by the FDA. Experts also advise consumers against using any weight reduction supplements especially those that are herbal based. The FDA particularly warns users against intake of weight loss supplements that have both caffeine and ephedrine ingredients in them.

How to Achieve a Healthy Weight Loss the Natural Way

Diet supplements work only for a short while but if you really want to lose weight and maintain that, keep the basics in mind:

Control Your Eating Habits

Ever heard of stress eating? What about emotional eating? You see, a lot of people have the tendency to turn to food when they feel under the weather and they tend to eat more than they usually do.  Add to that the fact that people who are feeling down seem to gravitate towards unhealthy foods -- hence the term “comfort food”.

If you really want to achieve a healthy weight loss, watch what you eat. Also, never skip a meal, especially breakfast as this jumpstarts your day and speeds up your metabolism. At dinner time, eat less because the food that you eat at night cannot be burned as easily considering you are less active at night.

Drink Water

Learn to say no to carbonated beverages that are loaded up with heaps of sugar and say yes to water. Not only does it help your kidneys function better by flushing out waste substances, it greatly helps in your body’s fat metabolism. A glass or two of water 10-15 minutes before eating will give you a sense of being full, and it makes you eat less.

Exercise Regularly

A good weight loss plan should not only be focused on keeping a healthy diet plan. It should also be coupled with a disciplined fitness exercise regimen so that you can help your body burn more fats and also tone your skin as it tends to sag as you lose weight.

It doesn’t mean you have to sign up for a gym membership. Pick out an exercise program that you would enjoy and can really stick to. It can be buying exercise equipment such as a treadmill for your home use or doing sports if you are athletic. It can also be as simple as doing power walks. You can do yoga or Pilates as well. The important thing to keep in mind is that you enjoy what you do and is completely comfortable with doing it.

Sources
eurekalert.org
howtoloseweighthealthy.com
annecollins.com
allwomenstalk.com