Healthy Memphis: Weight-loss Supplements Could do more Harm than Good

Healthy Memphis: Weight-loss Supplements Could do more Harm than Good
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What you should know

A low-fat diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein in the proper portions is a key to healthful weight loss. Weight gain is less likely when healthy eating is combined with regular exercise.

Controlling weight is smart. Even a modest reduction in excess weight can have health benefits.

To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume.

The number of people who are overweight or obese is growing. Many want effortless ways to lose weight. Many people would rather pop diet pills or drink diet drinks than exercise or give up addictive high sugar and fat foods.

As of the spring, 2010, there is only one weight-loss supplement approved by the Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter sales orlistat. Orlistat prevents dietary fat from being absorbed by your body. Many other OTC and health food products claim to be effective but have not received FDA approval.

Most weight-loss drugs suppress your desire to eat. They change brain chemicals that affect mood and appetite.

Many popular weight-loss drugs have been taken off the market because they are dangerous. Some diet drugs may increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart abnormalities.

In a recent survey, nearly one-third of the adults said they had tried a dietary supplement. Twice as many people have tried OTC supplements than have used an FDA-approved prescription weight-loss drug.

Many people want to lose weight without the help of their primary care providers. Only about one-third of survey respondents said they were likely to talk to their provider about getting help to lose weight.

OTC weight-loss supplements may be more likely to be used by people who are embarrassed to talk to their doctor. Some don’t want to pay for doctor visits and prescriptions.

Some diet supplements such as “starch blockers” (amylase inhibitors) might have some weight-loss benefits. However, many have side effects such as increased flatulence (gas).

There is a lot of misleading advertising and false claims made by sellers of OTC weight-loss supplements. The US Federal Trade Commission and many medical experts on obesity are taking action against fraudulent weight-loss ads.

What you should do

Make sure you are well informed about the merits and potential hazards of any diet supplement. Be wary of buying anything that is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

If you decide to take a diet supplement, share this information with your primary care provider.

Don’t take a supplement for more than one year. Your care provider should tell you if it is safe to continue its use.

Get started. To lose weight, change your habits. Improve your diet and increase your exercise. Weight-loss drugs and supplements are not a substitute for better eating and exercise habits.

Set realistic goals about weight loss. Focus your goals around changing to healthy daily habits. Each day you stick with your new healthy habit you win. Gradually increase your efforts to make healthy eating and exercise a habit. Over time weight loss will follow.

Avoid emotional eating. Each time your stress or mood tells you that you deserve an extra serving, candy, soda, or dessert, stop yourself! Use exercise to relieve stress.

Get social support for your weight-loss efforts. Walk or exercise with others. Eat with others who do not overeat.

Adults especially medical providers, school teachers, dietitians, parents and grandparents should teach others about good nutrition and exercise. You should teach family members, children and patients about realistic weight-loss goals. You should also discuss the merits of a wise diet and exercise and the risks of untested diet supplements.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your primary care provider about a weight-loss problem. He or she can help you develop a plan of action. The center of your plan is you. You must take the initiative to change your habits.

Do not take another person’s weight-loss prescription. Many drugs can have side effects and should only be taken if a doctor is monitoring the results. Some weight-loss drugs also affect how your body processes food; these drugs might require the monitoring of a registered dietitian as well.

Healthy Memphis: Weight-loss Supplements Could do more Harm than Good
www.commercialappeal.com