“Oh if I could just lose weight and look absolutely sexy by popping a magic pill” is the secret dream of many weight loss seekers. With so many weight loss supplement manufacturers claiming that you could basically get thinner and lose fat by taking colorful capsules, a large number of overweight individuals are simply taken on. But what are the myths and facts about weight loss supplements? You ought to be well-informed so you can make the right decisions for your weight reduction program.
Myth No. 1 – Hoodia, an African herb, can effectively suppress your appetite. There are some anecdotal evidence about the powers of hoodia, although many questions still remain about its efficiency. In Africa, hoodia is used to suppress the hunger of those travelling long journeys in the desert. Hoodia contains the active ingredient P57 that research suggests makes animals eat less when it is injected in their brains. However, this effect cannot be replicated in humans taking hoodia capsules. The fact is, more studies have to be conducted about the effect of hoodia in reducing weight for humans, that’s why its safety and ability to suppress appetite hasn’t been proven.
Myth No. 2 – “All I need to do is take weight loss supplements to lose weight. I don’t need to go on a diet or exercise”. Take a good look at your supplement label. You’ll find that it says that you also need to stick to a healthy diet and exercise if you want to shed pounds. Virtually all weight loss supplements’ labels say that, along with the advice of every dietitian and weight expert. Weight loss pills are supposed to boost your healthy diet and exercise program, not replace it, as in the case of Alli. When taking Alli, you’ll need to eat a low-fat diet, or else you’ll experience unpleasant side effects. You’ll be limiting your fat intake to 15 grams at most per meal if you’re taking Alli. It means that if you’re taking such weight loss supplements (as Alli), you’ll need to make changes in your diet.
Myth No. 3 – Green tea supplements are effective fat-burners. The fact is, green tea weight loss supplements may be able to make you lose weight but not taking cup after cup of the tea itself. You’ll probably shed pounds from taking green tea because of its caffeine content. Caffeine is a stimulant that makes you move more, thereby causing you to burn calories. However, be wary if you’re sensitive to caffeine because it could cause heart palpitations and sleep disturbance.
Myth No. 4 – You can substitute ephedra with bitter orange. Bitter orange is similar to ephedra in some ways. Ephedra contains ephedrine that may result to arrhythmias and increased blood pressure and was linked to several high-profile deaths, that’s why it was banned by the FDA in 2004. Bitter orange contains the compound synephrine which is somewhat the same as ephedrine, and carries the same risks. Synephrine found in bitter orange has the same dangers as ephedrine that’s found in ephedra. Taking bitter orange for weight loss may not be worth the risk at all. It’s effectiveness in reducing weight is inconclusive.
These are some myths about supplements for weight loss. Weight loss supplements can only be optimally effective when combined with the right diet and exercise plan, so be well-informed!
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