Weight Loss Methods

We’re all looking for that magic pill. You know - the one that we can take and lose weight without really trying!

What would you give up to be skinny? How about your health? Well, some of the methods of weight loss may cost you exactly that. Before you decide that the way to lose weight is to follow one of the below regimens, take a second look. Do your research and be sure that you understand the risks.

Are you considering one of these dangerous weight loss methods?

*Prescription diet pills

Amphetamines are available only by prescription, and most doctors are leery of handing them out these days. While they do suppress appetite, you learn nothing about healthy eating, you don’t change your eating habits, and you are likely to gain the weight back the moment you stop taking them. In addition, they can be habit forming. The side effects include high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, sleeplessness, hallucinations and delusions.

*Ephedra

This all natural Asian herb is found in many herbal remedies and weight loss powders. It has a powerful appetite suppressant effect, but has been implicated in over 70 deaths.

*Phentermine Fenfluramine-phentermine (fen-phen)

Fen-phen was a popular weight loss supplement in the 90’s until it was implicated in deaths due to heart-valve damage. Phentermine alone is still sold in many weight loss aids. The side effects include headaches, dizziness, heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure and insomnia.

*Laxatives

One of the popular home remedies, used for purging. Regular use and abuse of laxatives can result in low potassium, arrhythmia, and pancreatic damage.

*Artificial Sweeteners

Aspartame, the most commonly used artificial sweetener, has been implicated in multiple lawsuits alleging damages that include blindness, seizures and brain damage.

*Smoking

Afraid you’ll gain weight if you quit smoking? The National Institute of Diabetes says that you’d have to gain 100-150 pounds to match the health risks you invoke by smoking. Instead, set up healthy strategies to help you deal with food cravings and put down the cigarettes.

*Purging

Like laxatives, purging by forcing oneself to vomit or taking emetics can have very damaging effects on health. Depletion of nutrients like potassium and vitamins, damage to the esophagus from stomach acids, and esophageal rupture are all possible side effects.

*Diuretics

Taking diuretics encourages your body to rid itself of fluids - including vital electrolytes. The depletion can lead to dehydration, and cause your body to start retaining water, starting a vicious cycle. Repeated or prolonged use of diuretics can lead to kidney damage and serious electrolyte imbalances, which may result in kidney or heart failure.

*Herbal Remedies

We have a tendency to equate ‘herbal’ with ‘harmless’, but say nutritionists, this isn’t always the case. Remember that many medications are derived from herbs, and because of the lack of regulation, dosages of active ingredients can vary widely from one manufacturer to another. Below is a list of some of the most common ingredients found in herbal weight loss powders, along with cautions about their effects in certain conditions.

Ephedra (ma huang, ephedrine, ephedra extract, epitonin, ephdra sinica and sida cordifolia) should not be taken by people with heart, thyroid or kidney disease, or with hypertension

Cascara and Senna should not be taken by people taking diuretics (both are often found in herbal weight loss teas)

Selenium and Capsaicin should not be taken by people with bowel or digestive disorders

Kava should be avoided by people with mood disorders who are taking mood altering medication, and people with Parkinson’s disease.

Gingko biloba, licorice root, and dong quay should not be taken by people who are taking blood thinners or anti-coagulants.

While weight loss is a worthwhile goal, guarding your health is an even more important one. Be sure that whatever weight loss method you choose it won’t lead to other serious medical conditions.

Little Known Facts About Cellulite

Cellulite is a condition for which cures are commonly sought. The lumpy, rippled skin which typically appears in the thighs and buttocks area known as cellulite is typically associated with a weight problem; however an individual need not be overweight to have cellulite. The condition is caused by water retention and circulatory problems that may resulted from a variety of factors including hormones.

A weakening of the connective tissue located just beneath the skin can also result in cellulite. Although cellulite has been known to occur in men, it is much more typical in women.

Millions of dollars are spent each year on cellulite treatment creams and other types of products to eradicate cellulite, a condition that is considered to be unattractive and believed by many women to be a rare condition. In truth, most women have cellulite and it actually begins to form just after puberty hits. The degree of cellulite varies, but more than 90 percent of all women have it to some degree.

So, if all women have it, is there anything you can do about it? Many people fail to do anything about their cellulite because they believe there is either nothing they can do about it or that it’s simply fat. The truth is that it isn’t fat that there are actually number of steps that women can take to prevent and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

The most important step women who are concerned about cellulite can take to reduce and prevent its appearance, is to eat a healthy, well balanced diet that is low in fat. Women who do this from an early age, and maintain such a diet, are shown to have far less problems with cellulite than women who do not. Exercise helps to keep the body toned and promotes good circulation, another key step in fighting cellulite.

Finally, the benefits of drinking plenty of water have been touted for many health conditions and cellulite is no different. The main purpose of cellulite is to wash away toxins within your body which can help to increase circulation, thus preventing and reducing cellulite.

It has been suggested the genetics as well as the surge of hormones that many women face, may also be among the causes for cellulite development. While there is nothing you can do about your genetics, and little you can do about your hormones, fighting cellulite by living a healthy lifestyle has been shown to produce amazing results.

Studies also indicate that cutting down or quitting smoking altogether can also provide an improvement in the appearance of cellulite. This is mainly due to the fact that smoking causes damage to small blood vessels, which increases the risk for cellulite.

It’s important to keep in mind that while many of the cellulite products on the market today are effective, they can only provide optimal results when combined with a healthy diet and exercise regimen. A gentle skin massage in the areas affected by cellulite can also be beneficial in restoring circulation and reducing the appearance of cellulite.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.