Weight loss diets, plans and supplements that work and are safe are very important ideas. Currently, many people live longer and have more options than ever. Diets are varied and plentiful in modern societies and making a wise choice for safe weight loss is important. Everyone should determine if a new diet or supplement is safe, healthy and works well. Diet dangers occur and can be avoided. Safe weight loss is possible.
Weight Loss Diet Supplements and Plans, A Logical Critique
Hydroxycut and ephedra, prominent diet supplements, were withdrawn from sale in 2009 and 2004, respectively. Between 2002-2008, the FDA reported 23 incidences of liver toxicity and damage related to Hydroxycut products containing minerals, herbs and extracts of Garcinia cambogia, Guarana, gymnema sylvestre, Rhodiola rosea, and Camellia sinensis. Hydroxycut also contained at one time ephedra, even though Iovate stated to the FDA in early 2004 that it did not. (Reference: 2009 FDA Letter to Iovate, Hydroxycut manufacturer)
Because bad diets and dangerous supplements exist, consumers always must be wise and learn to protect themselves.
Weight Loss Diets Supplements – Important Questions
Remember these three questions to ask about any diet or supplement:
- Does this really work?
- Is this safe and healthy?
- Is this one of the best available choices?
These are not trivial questions, nor simple, academic exercises. Diets and supplements become part of all who ingest, digest, assimilate and translate them into the very substance of their cells and tissues.
Scientific inquiry into diet supplements further requires answers to these questions:
- How does the diet or supplement promote weight loss?
- Is the mechanism of weight loss proposed logical and proven?
- How many control and experimental people, if any, were involved in the study?
- What were the results?
- Are there any labeled warnings or risks associated with product use?
- If so, what are the risks, for whom, and why?
Weight Loss Diet Supplements of Caffeine, Green Tea, Hydroxycut, Ephedra, Colored Berries
These diet supplements currently are prominent in nutritional and scientific literature:
- Caffeine contains no calories and is an appetite suppressant. Moreover, caffeine has a variety of strong effects on the physiology and chemistry of the body — it stimulates the brain, fights fatigue and drowsiness and is a strong diuretic. Caffeine can promote sleeplessness, anxiety, nausea, and frequent urination.
- Green tea contains caffeine at lower levels than coffee and most dietary supplements. Green tea also contains healthy polyphenol antioxidants, plus the anti-cancer agent (EGCG, epigallocatechin gallate). Therefore, green tea has some benefits beyond pure caffeine alone. However, green tea alone is not a singular, proven, supplement for weight loss.
- Hydroxycut is hepatotoxic and caused liver damage to some during 2002-2008. FDA required Hydroxycut market removal in 2009.
- Ephedra (ephedrine alkaloids), another plant stimulant, was strongly marketed to speed up body activity and burn calories. Unfortunately, ephedrine alkaloids are adrenaline-like stimulants that raise blood pressure, stress the circulatory system and may cause heart attacks and strokes. FDA 2004 Rule banned the sale of ephedra as a diet supplement.
- Berries such as acai, blueberry, blackberry, cranberry and yumberry all contain strong antioxidants and are healthy, valuable diet supplements if they are uncontaminated natural, "organic" products. None are actual proven, singular, magical weight loss foods.
Calorie Restriction (CR) Decisions Important for All Diets
Calorie restriction (CR) is important for any diet. CR is related to portion size. Burning more calories than are consumed is essential. Supplements such as green tea and berries are fine when added to a CR diet. The Mediterranean diets are proven, workable, nutritious and among the best diets available. Serious dieters need to understand the fundamentals of calories, CR, choosing balanced diets, caffeine and the attributes and uniqueness of their own bodies.
Remember, weight loss occurs when calorie restriction is combined with reasonable, safe, daily exercise. A comprehensive physician's exam is recommended prior to initiating any diet or exercise program.
Good diets and exercise strategies yield successful weight loss experiences.
Read a personal true, humorous, story on how diet weight plans can be strange, exciting and funny misadventures.
Sources
Lankford, R. ed. (2007). Can Diets Be Harmful? Greenhaven Press, Farmington Hills, MI. 115 pp
Donald Reinhardt - Think, read, write & live well always. DJR has a PhD in Biology/Microbiology & is a Fellow & Diplomate, ASM Amer Acad Micro.
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