Diet Supplements - Do They Really Work?

Herbal supplements and diet pills provide effective aids in weight loss, however they do not equal the entire equation. Some just do not work and others have been known to have harmful side effects in some of their users. Nevertheless diet supplements can significantly help someone to lose a substantial amount of weight when coupled with a proper exercise plan and a nutritious diet.

When it comes to weight loss pills, there are basically three types that are commonly used. The three types available are prescription pills, over the counter weight loss pills, and herbal diet supplements.

Prescription weight loss pills are prescribed by a doctor or a trained and certified medical practitioner. Two of the most commonly prescribed diet supplements are Meridia and Xenical. These two top prescribed prescription drugs work by blocking the re-uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which creates a feeling of being full. Also these drugs work by blocking an enzyme called lipase. Blocking this enzyme removes a portion of the fat found in food and processes it through the digestive waste tract. Overall, prescription weight loss pills seem to offer very good results for their users.

In addition to prescription weight loss pills, over the counter pills have been found to be an effective option. Over the counter pills are available without a medical prescription, yet their use is not routinely monitored as is the case with prescription weight loss supplements. The main active ingredient in most over the counter weight loss pills is phenylpropanolamine or PPA. A drawback to these drugs has been noticed in studies by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, which has discovered that these drugs can increase the risk of a stroke in some patients. As a result of this, the Food and Drug Administration has urged manufacturers to find a new active ingredient.

When it comes to the herbal supplement weight loss pills, there are a few things that really need to be understood when using them. Herbal diet supplements can be obtained without a prescription and also like over the counter pills are not monitored by physicians. Even though many of these are labeled as "all natural," that does not mean that they are any safer than any other diet supplement. In fact, they may be more dangerous than government tested prescription or over the counter diet pills. An example of this can be seen in the use of ephedra (also called ma huang) in the 1990s, which was found to cause increased risk for heart attack in its users. Also some herbal supplements don't do anything at all and have little more of an effect than a placebo pill would. In addition to the fact that some herbal pills have no dietary benefit, there is the added danger that they may have unknown side effects because most government health agencies do not study herbal diet pills, nor do they regulate herbal supplements in any manner whatsoever.

In conclusion, prescription weight loss supplements offer the best option available to those seeking a medical aid to weight loss. A person using prescription weight loss pills as part of their exercise and diet plan runs fewer risks, because their use of the pills and their weight loss will be regularly monitored by a doctor or trained medical practitioner. In the end, anyone losing weight should seek to do so in as healthy a manner as possible and a physician can give them the greatest help in doing this.

Had a look around the net, check these out:

Sources
“Do Dietary Supplements Really Work?,” The Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/do-dietary-supplements-really-work-513499.html

Stephanie Watson, “How Diet Pills Work,” Discovery Fit and Health
http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/medication/diet-pill1.htm

Kathleen M. Zelman, “The Truth Behind The Top 10 Dietary Supplements,” Web MD
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-behind-top-10-dietary-supplements

Top Ten Powerful Weight Loss And Diet Tips

Losing weight can be difficult, but you can get the body you have always dreamed of having if you follow these ten powerful weight loss and diet tips.

1. Get Plenty Of Cardio

Getting plenty of exercise can help you burn calories, and the more calories you burn, the more weight you will lose. Aim for at least three sessions of vigorous exercise a week.

2. Eat Only When You Are Hungry

Instead of eating three meals every day, try eating only when you are hungry. You might only really need to eat twice or even once each day.

3. Avoid Sugar-Free And Low-Fat Foods

Sugar-free and low-fat foods can actually cause you to gain more weight because the chemicals contained in these products interfere with the body's natural digestive process. Sugar-free and low-fat foods can cause you to feel hungry even when you have eaten enough food.

4. Build Muscle

If you have hit a weight loss plateau, you should focus on building muscle for a while. Add some weight lifting to your fitness routine, and you will start to lose excess weight.

5. Drink Plenty Of Water

Staying hydrated can help you lose weight more easily. Drink plenty of water each day. Water can also help you deal with feelings of hunger.

6. Plan An Active Vacation

Plan an active vacation to motivate yourself to work out regularly. If you know that in six months you are going to go hiking, you will be more likely to get and stay fit so that you can enjoy your vacation.

7. Eat Vegetables And Fruits

Vegetables and fruits are full of fiber. Fiber helps a person feel full, and if you feel full you will not start snacking on junk food.

8. Walk Whenever Possible

If possible, walk when you do errands so that you can sneak in some extra exercise.

9. Join A Support Group

Some people lose weight more easily when they can talk with other dieters. Consider joining a support group.

10. Try Alli

Many people have met their weight loss goals with the help of the prescription weight loss drug Alli. Alli does not produce dramatic results, but it does help a person lose more weight than they would be able to lose on their own through diet and exercise. Alli can cause some unpleasant side effects, so make sure you do plenty of research before you try this prescription option.

Gym Workout - Bodybuilding Tips

Creating more muscle is the key for anyone wanting to build a better physique, improve their athletic performance, or just get stronger. The following tips should help those looking to build muscle.

Train with Intensity

In order to build bigger muscles lifters are going to have to stress the ones they have. Muscles grow due to the stress creating by performing heavir lifts in the gym. Adding five pounds to lifts each time one visits the gym as well as increasing the number of repetitions per set will provide ample stress. Many gym-goers often find themselves lifting the same weight for the same reps time and time again, all the while wondering why they never see any improvement. In order to get bigger and stronger the weights one lifts will have to increase as well.

Protein

Protein will not only help build muscle, it will be a big help in recovering from gruelling workouts as well. Protein can come in many shapes and forms including meat, dairy products, and powders. Protein powders are a great way to cheaply consume a large amount of protein at once. Those looking to build muscle should be consuming approximately one gram of protein per pound of body weight.

Supplementation

Supplements such as multivitamins, fish oil, and creatine can help lifters recover from their workouts. Other supplements can also provide great benefits to those who are in the gym multiple times each week. By researching the best supplements for their program lifters can gain a big advantage in the gym.

Sleep

Getting enough rest is a key component to recovering from tough gym sessions. Getting a good six to eight hours of sleep each night will pay huge dividends in the gym. By giving muscles plenty of time to recover and grow those looking to build muscle should be able to increase their lifts the next time they workout.

Consistency

Putting everything together for an extended period of time will yield great results. A lot of lifters will start off strong but will ultimately struggle to maintain their intensity in the gym or eat enough to keep their muscles growing. This is not a sprint, it is a marathon. As long as someone commits to increasing their lifts in the gym, eating enough protein, taking key supplements, and getting enough rest to recover, they should have little trouble in building muscle and reaching their goals.