Most drugs that are dispensed without a prescription, as well as herbal preparations for weight loss, are drugs to reduce appetite. They make the body think that it is full or that it is not hungry. They can be effective, but long-term use can lead to dependence and can cause health problems. In addition, weight loss occurs only at the time when you take the medicine, or when you change your habits, for example, improve the diet and increase the amount of physical activity.
Below are some commonly used drugs for weight loss that are dispensed without a prescription. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any of these drugs or herbal slimming products that are dispensed without a prescription, as some of them may be a waste of money, or worse, a health hazard.
- Ephedra (ma-huang) and its active ingredient, ephedrine, is usually found in herbal dietary supplements used for weight loss.
Ephedrine is used in the treatment of asthma, as well as for the preparation of methamphetamine. In fact, there is only one small chemical difference between methamphetamine and ephedrine. Ephedrine may slightly suppress appetite, but studies have shown its effectiveness in weight loss. Ephedrine can also be dangerous. It can cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, cramps, heart attacks, stroke and even death. Ephedrine can also interact with a large number of drugs that are available both prescription and non-prescription. In February 2004, the sale of ephedrine in the composition of any biologically active supplement was officially banned due to the risk of illness or injury.
- St. John’s Wort
This herbal product is primarily used as an antidepressant. Several studies have evaluated its effectiveness in promoting weight loss. St. John’s wort and ephedra are the two main components of herbal preparations that suppress appetite. If you are taking St. John’s wort, you should avoid products containing tyramine (for example, ripe cheese, ripened meat, wine, etc.). You should also consult your doctor before taking any other medicines, as St. John’s Wort has many potential harmful interactions with antidepressants, birth control pills, blood thinners, heart medications and dextromethorphan (found in various medications for cold medicine). The use of St. John’s wort for weight loss is potentially very dangerous. There are no clinical studies that would support the use of St. John’s wort for weight loss.
- 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
Found in some products for weight loss, which are sold without a prescription. This seed extract from a West African plant replaced the tryptophan supplement after it was banned from selling tryptophan due to the fact that it led to rare and potentially deadly blood diseases. 5-hydroxytryptophan has not proven its effective contribution to weight loss and is in the process of constant monitoring of the safety of medicines. In large doses, 5-HTP can have a negative effect on the liver.
- Chitosan
This biologically active additive is made from chitin, starch, which is contained in the skeleton of shrimps, crabs, mollusks. Chitosan is not digested, so it passes through our intestinal tract without adding any calories. The chemical nature of chitosan allows it to interact with fatty foods, removing some fats from your body. A number of studies, however, did not find any effect of chitosan on weight loss, except as a placebo effect (sugar tablets).
- Chromium
It is believed that chromium enhances the effect of insulin, and therefore promotes the breakdown of carbohydrates. He was praised as an assistant to weight loss and fat burning. Most of the evidence that chromium affects weight loss is inconclusive. Several studies have failed to show any advantages in weight loss after taking this mineral.
- Pyruvate
Pyruvate is formed in the body during digestion of carbohydrates and protein obtained from food. According to some studies, it can produce a minor effect, helping you get rid of extra pounds. In the form of pyruvic acid, pyruvate can be found in various foods, including red apples, cheese and red wine. Pyruvate is safe, but the claims that it activates metabolism, reduces appetite, and promotes weight loss, need further research.
- Aloe
The most commonly used as a product for wound healing, some types of aloe are added to herbal preparations for weight loss. Oral forms of aloe produce a strong laxative effect (promoting intestinal peristalsis), and a large number of preparations from aloe for weight loss are sold as preparations for “internal cleansing”. However, aloe or aloe preparations should not be taken orally if you have intestinal problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or abdominal pain for unknown reasons. The use of this agent in oral form has led to side effects, such as abdominal cramping, diarrhea, problems with the balance of minerals in the body. In addition, it can interact with medications, such as digoxin, which is used to treat heart failure. The use of aloe has not proven the ability to reduce weight.
- Buckthorn
Krushina is a common ingredient used in weight loss preparations. One of the few herbs approved as a drug that is dispensed without a prescription, it is a powerful laxative stimulant. The misuse of this herb has caused problems with the balance of minerals in the body (such as potassium, sodium). It can not be taken if you are pregnant or nursing. The buckthorn can interact with medications, such as lanoxin, and diuretics (tablets used to treat hypertension and other health problems).
- Dandelion
Dandelion is a natural diuretic. It can lead to the loss of a significant amount of weight, reducing the amount of water in the body. However, it can cause an allergic reaction and heartburn.
- Glucomannan
Produced from the root of Amorphophallus Konjac, glucomannan is said to contribute to weight loss. Studies have shown that glucomannan is very effective in reducing weight. This effect is achieved by a feeling of satiety, which can be caused by the swelling of glucomann in the intestine after it interacts with liquids. However, people who took glucomannan, were found blockade of the esophagus. Glucomannan and preparations containing glucomannan were banned in a number of countries because of the high incidence of the gastrointestinal tract. Glucomannan can not be taken by people who have had obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, and with caution should be treated with diabetics.
- Guarana
Produced from the seeds of plants that grow in Brazil. Guarana accelerates the activity of the brain and is used to promote weight loss because of its diuretic effect. Guarana contains between 3% and 5% caffeine and can cause high blood pressure. Some excerpts are known to cause prolonged bleeding and interact with different medications. Various advertisements repeat that guarana has no side effects, but this statement is not true. Side effects from Guarana may include nausea, dizziness.
- Garcinia
Ingredient, which is contained in at least 14 weight loss supplements. Get from a plant that grows in India and Southeast Asia. To date, the best available data show that this product is not effective in weight loss.
- Paraguayan tea mate
Mate is a strong stimulator of the brain. The main side effects are high blood pressure. There is no evidence that mate helps to lose weight. In some cases, they reported poisoning (which leads to hospitalization) by this agent. Excessive use can be associated with esophageal cancer.
- Guar gum
Also known as guar, guar flour, guar gum is dietary fiber, which is obtained from Indian beans. Guar gum is widely used in small amounts as a thickener for food and medicines. There was a decrease in appetite due to guar gum due to a feeling of saturation. However, as well as glucomannan, guar gum can cause clogging of the esophagus. Surveys of numerous studies show that it does not affect weight loss in any way.
- Herbal diuretics
There are a huge number of varieties of herbal diuretics that can usually be bought without a prescription for weight loss. Most diuretics that are dispensed without a prescription are obtained from caffeine. Most herbal diuretics are not toxic. Herbal diuretics do not provide sufficient water loss to be considered effective in weight loss. More importantly, long-term weight loss is the loss of fat, not water.
Smart advice on taking herbal medicines
- Do not take herbs during pregnancy or attempts to become pregnant.
- Do not give the herb to the baby.
- Do not take in large quantities of any herbal preparation.
- Do not take any herbs on a daily basis.
- Buy only drugs in which the plants are listed on the package.
- Do not take herbal medicines if you are taking medicine for a chronic illness (eg, high blood pressure or depression). If you are not sure, consult your doctor before taking any herbal remedies.
- Do not take herbal remedies until you talk to your doctor.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any herbal remedies or alternative medicine that you are taking.
Keep in mind that herbal preparations will not permanently lose weight. In the weight loss preparations, several ingredients are collected, some of which have serious side effects, and can lead to dangerous poisoning. The use of herbal remedies to lose weight is not recommended by the medical community due to the high risk of toxicity and the lack of clinical effectiveness.