You might consider consuming weight loss pills if you are overweight and have tried many times and methods but still fail in losing weight. In fact, a lot of people feel uncertainty whether weight loss pills are safe for healthy weight loss purpose. If you have correct weight loss concept, you will be very careful and concern about the ingredients of the pills.
Below are some common and popular ingredients found in weight loss pills or weight loss supplements in the market:
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Over years, both animal and human studies show a positive role for CLA in reducing body fat and increasing lean muscle mass. CLA is found naturally in dairy foods and beef and is generally considered safe to consume. Please read my article regarding right supplements for weight loss program if you would like to know study done in CLA. In fact, CLA is among the hot products in weight loss pills. However, you need to aware the dosage for optimal results.
Guarana
Guarana is a central nervous stimulant with diuretic effect. In fact, caffeine is the effective ingredient in guarana plant seeds. Guarana has a mild appetite suppressant effect over the short term. It was normally used in combination with ephedra until ephedra was banned. The potential side effects are similar with overdose of caffeine including restlessness, insomnia, anxiety and panic. Thus weight loss pills with guarana ingredients are not recommended in healthy weight loss.
Yerba Mate
Brewing into a tea, bitter Yerba mate contains stimulants similar to caffeine and may cause anxiety, diarrhea and jitters. Used in combination with other caffeine-containing herbs like guarana, it was found in one study to delay stomach emptying time and thus help in weight loss. However, the research carried was only 45 days, so conclusion on keeping the weight off cannot be made.
Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB)
Being a natural byproduct of the breakdown of amino acid leucine, HMB supplements are normally used by body builders in hopes of increasing muscle mass. Few studies show that HMB increases lean mass and decreases body fat when taken together with weight training. The effectiveness of these weight loss pills still needed to be studied especially for overweight and obese people.
Chitosan
Chitosan is made from the shells of shrimp, lobsters and other shellfish. Being one of the hot ingredients put in weight loss pills, chitosan is an indigestible fiber and it helps in weight loss by binding the fat you eat, and thus avoid fat absorption. However, not many studies support this claim. As it is a fat blocker, it is normally recommended to take before meal. So, people with gastric problem and shellfish allergies should beware of these weight loss pills.
Chromium
Chromium is an essential nutrient for normal insulin function in our body. For those who are suffered from insulin resistance, they will end up with unnecessary weight gain and increase of body fat without increase in calories intake. That is why chromium with appropriate dosage is recommended in healthy weight loss.
Apart from that, chromium has been promoted to boost lean muscle mass and decrease body fat. An analysis of several studies concludes that consume 200 to 400 micrograms of chromium picolinate could result in about a 2.5-pound weight loss per week in some people. Other studies however show a loss of body fat and an increase in muscle tissue, with no change in weight. Some studies even have found no effect at all. Although study findings are inconclusive for weight issue, a large number of human studies suggest it is safe to consume.
Citrus Aurantium
With the other name of Bitter Orange, this herbal extract is a natural source of synephrine, a compound similar to ephedrine. Actually, there are no published studies showing it is an effective weight loss pills for weight loss. Similar to ephedra, the possible side effects of this weight loss pills include increase in blood pressure and kidney failure. In fact, Environmental Nutrition recommends avoiding it for healthy weight loss purpose.
Bladderwrack
As a thyroid hormone stimulant, it increases metabolic rate. That is why it is believed helping in weight loss. However, it breaks down lean muscle mass and is harmful to health. After stop taking this type of weight loss pills, weight will regain rapidly.
Pyruvate
Pyruvate is believed can stimulate metabolism and reduce body fat. It is found naturally in food and in the body as a result of carbohydrates and protein breakdown. Some studies show a weight loss benefit with pyruvate supplements, when taken together with exercising and diet control. However, the dosage used in the studies was high, requiring a handful of tablets each day. Further studies are needed to support the effectiveness of these weight loss pills towards healthy weight loss.
Before you decide on taking weight loss pills, it is always important that you know how to make a wise choice for healthy weight loss purpose. Don’t expect miracles overnight. If you can, please adjust your lifestyle and diet habit and get more weight loss tips while taking your weight loss pills.
