Diet pills are marketed as the quickest and easiest way to lose weight. They’re marketed as “miracle cures,” even though deep down we know that there’s no such thing.
Weight loss pills work in two main ways: they either suppress the appetite or speed up the metabolism. In some cases, they will do both at the same time. Most of the diet pills you find are appetite suppressants. They can work by affecting the hormones in your body, or they will slow down your digestion. In some cases, they can slow down your metabolism, which means you burn fewer calories.
There are plenty of cases of appetite suppressants working as intended. They help many women lose weight. However, there are also cases of women losing nothing at all. Some of the pills are extremely dangerous.
It’s important to know all you can about appetite suppressants. While we want you to lose weight, we want you to be as healthy as you possibly can. So, here’s our ultimate guide to appetite suppressants and their effectiveness.
Natural vs. Synthetic Appetite Suppressants
Did you know that some food acts as an appetite suppressant? Fiber and protein naturally breakdown in the body slower than carbs. In fact, fat can also take its time to break down. When you consume more of these three food groups, you’ll find that you naturally feel more satisfied throughout the day.
When you are using fat for your appetite suppressant needs, you’ll want to make sure it’s the healthier kind. Don’t add more saturated fat to your diet, as it is just going to clog your arteries. Opt for more olive oil, avocados, coconut milk, and other similar healthy fatty items. Oily fishes are also good to stock up on in your freezer.
However, you can also get natural options in pill form. Green tea pills, saffron pills, and other extracts are regularly used in health stores. Some of these are completely natural, but others will have added synthetic ingredients.
And then there are the synthetic creations. Most of these are available by prescription only, and your doctor will want to keep an eye on your health.
Throughout this article, we’ll look at the individual appetite suppressants—both natural and synthetic. We’ll look at how they work, what they’re supposed to do, and how effective they are. This way you can find something that works for your exact needs.
Belviq for Long Term Use
Let’s start with Belviq as our first appetite suppressant. This has been designed for long-term use, which is important. Most appetite suppressants that you get over the counter tend to be for short term use only. They get you to your goal weight, and then you stop taking them.
Many women find that they gain all the weight that they originally lost back. They have to use the diet pills again, which puts their body under excess strain.
Belviq is designed to help those who have a lot of weight to lose. It’s mostly for those with diabetes, but there are some patients without that condition taking the pills to control their obesity. Those who are also on depression medication will be monitored extremely closely by their doctor to avoid bouts of deeper depression and suicidal thoughts.
There are some side effects noted when taking Belviq. These include fatigue, dizziness, and nausea in patients without diabetes. Those with diabetes can experience low blood sugar levels, back pain, and a cough.
Women attempting to get pregnant and those who are currently pregnant should avoid Belviq completely. Doctors will recommend that you avoid all appetite suppressants.
This has been tested, and studies show that it is effective. However, it doesn’t work for everyone. The studies have found that if patients haven’t lost 5% of their body weight within the first 12 weeks of using it, then it’s not effective at all. Your doctor will suggest a different appetite suppressant to use instead.
Using Phentermine for Short Term Use
When you just need something that is good for a few weeks of use, Phentermine may be something your doctor suggests. The brands you will usually be prescribed are Suprenza or Adipex. Doctors are only allowed to prescribe this for a few weeks.
There are some serious side effects connected to the use of Phentermine. Patients have noticed tremors, insomnia, chest pains, shortness of breath, and even heart palpitations. You will likely feel drowsy or fatigued while using this medication, so you’ll want to avoid driving and operating machinery after you take it.
Some patients have become dependent on the drug. Because of this, more doctors are choosing not to prescribe it to their patients. You won’t be prescribed it if you have a history of congestive heart failure, heart disease, or other conditions that can be made worse by the side effects.
Phentermine is an amphetamine drug. There is a high risk of addiction, so if you do have a history of substance abuse, you should talk to your doctor.
However, the studies have shown positive and effective for the drug, which is why some doctors still recommend it.
Replace the Phentermine with Qsymia
If you’re offered Qsymia instead of Phentermine, take that option. This is another long term drug that has proven effective in studies. It has some Phentermine in it, but it uses topiramate. The two drugs work together to lessen the symptoms and the chances of addiction.
There are still some side effects. Don’t take the drug late at night, as you may suffer from some insomnia. Dry mouth, dizziness, and some tingling sensations in the extremities can also be experienced. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you should avoid this drug completely. It is a known problem for congenital disabilities.
There is a risk of blindness, especially if you already have glaucoma or hyperthyroidism, so you want to discuss this with your doctor.
It is effective but doesn’t work for all. The FDA recommends increasing your dosage after 12 weeks if you don’t lose 3% or more of your starting weight. If you still haven’t lost 3% of your starting weight, then you should stop taking it completely.
Opt for Green Tea Extract Instead
Rather than putting pharmaceutical drugs into your system, it may be worth looking at natural appetite suppressants. Green tea extract remains to be one of the most popular options.
As the name suggests, green tea extract is the extract of green tea leaves. Green tea has been used as an appetite suppressant for centuries. It also speeds up the metabolism, meaning you burn more calories while feeling the need to eat less. Green tea has also been linked to preventing dementia, cancer, and some metabolic dysfunction due to the antioxidants in it.
Studies show that green tea extract has all the antioxidants but in an easier to consume form. You take a tablet, rather than making and then drinking your cup of tea.
There is a mild benefit to using green tea extract for weight loss, with green tea reducing the amount of ghrelin in the body—the hunger hormone. Studies also showed that there’s a placebo effect more than a physical effect. People losing weight think they feel less hunger, even though the green tea may not have changed the hunger hormone.
While the benefits may be mild, the other health benefits make up for it. With green tea extract being natural, there are very few side effects noticed. Most of them are only when you drink too much, due to the levels of caffeine in green tea. Researchers recommend between 800-900mg of green tea extract a day for the best results.
Reduce Snacking with Saffron Extract
Another popular diet pill is one that includes saffron extract. This medication is known for increasing the happy hormones in the body. When you feel more relaxed and happy, you won’t feel the need to eat as much. You create a drowsy and full feeling instead. This is how saffron extract helps with appetite suppression.
Like green tea extract, the studies on saffron extract show more than positive weight loss results. It has also shown the ability to improve depression symptoms and can help women deal with their PMS and emotional eating. By curbing emotional eating, you instantly gain control of your hunger levels and your obesity.
Some studies also show that you could boost your energy levels during exercise. You do more, so you burn more calories while you’re working out.
You only need 30g a day for eight weeks to get the benefits. This isn’t something to take long term, and it can interfere with current medical conditions you have.
Get Rid of Cravings with Grapefruit Essential Oil
How about grapefruit? This is a fruit commonly used in dieting. In fact, there’s a diet named after the citric fruit.
Grapefruits are certainly good for you. They’re full of antioxidants, acids, and oils that help to reduce cravings and your appetite. They can give you more energy throughout the day and help to improve your central nervous system.
But you don’t need to opt for a grapefruit a day to get all the benefits. Just smelling the citric fruit offers a range of benefits, so it’s worth investing in some grapefruit essential oil.
The essential oil will help to stimulate your weight loss and improve ghrelin-induced feeding. This means you’ll only eat when you’re hungry so that you can say goodbye to cravings and emotional eating. You can also reduce inflammation within the digestive system, so you enjoy your food more.
Grapefruit oil has shown positive results in those with diabetes and insulin resistance. You won’t get the sugar highs and lows, meaning you will feel healthier and happier.
They’re Not Miracle Cures
While the above are highly effective, there is a word of warning that comes with any appetite suppressant. These are not miracle cures. You can’t just rely on the drug or remedy to do everything for you. This is not the way to eat whatever you want and see the weight drop off.
They’re only effective when you follow a healthy diet and a good exercise regime. If you’re not willing to do that, you will find it harder to lose weight.
Around 80% of your diet is food based. Make sure you have healthier options in the house—those with more protein, healthy fats, and fiber rather than carbs. You still need some carbs, but your whole diet shouldn’t be made up of them. And when you do eat carbs, you want to opt for complex ones that have fiber in them.
There are chances that you will still get some cravings. Not all the drugs manage your emotional health as well as your hunger levels. If you get cravings, you’ll need to take active steps to overcome them. Sometimes you will give into your cravings, and that will lead to eating more calories.
You’ll also want to focus on drinking more water. The drugs can be dehydrating, so you’ll need to consume more water throughout the day. While you can drink other liquids, water is zero calories and full of health benefits. If you want something that tastes sweeter, opt for some lemons or limes in your water.
Learn Mindful Eating and Combat Stress
Two of the most common problems is stress eating and not realizing just how much we eat. While the drugs and remedies above are good for combating some emotional eating, there will be work to do on your part. You’ll need to practice mindful eating. Think about the food that you’re putting into your body and make sure anything you eat adds good fuel.
Likewise, the drugs aren’t going to combat your stress levels. You will need to do that instead. This won’t just help to prevent emotional eating, but will also help to reduce health problems linked to stress.
While appetite suppressants have proven to be effective, there are some limitations. They are effective with a healthy and balanced diet, good exercise routine, and mindful eating.
