Weight gain and obesity are major health concerns of many people today, with the majority of the population overweight – many of them teenagers. And there is plenty of reason for concern considering that obesity is a huge risk factor for such life-threatening health conditions as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, diabetes, gallstones and kidney problems.
More and more people are looking for weight loss solutions that will fit into their particular lifestyle, and many have decided that they prefer to try and lose weight naturally, including taking natural weight loss supplements if necessary, rather than go with some of the other more popular diets on the market today. But we really didn’t just start looking for ways to lose weight naturally, this has actually been an on-going search for literally hundreds of years.
Herbal weight loss pills, or supplements, which are used to suppress the appetite, raise the body’s metabolism, and contribute to the feeling of overall well-being, are sometimes included in a natural weight loss program. But don’t be too quick to believe that an appetite suppressant is safe just because it is labeled as herbal or natural. This does not necessarily guarantee the products’ safety.
Some time back, manufacturers of weight loss supplements began adding ‘all natural’ or ‘herbal’ to their labels after the media began focusing on dietary health and a healthier lifestyle. But a certain amount of the product must be ‘all natural’ or ‘herbal’ in order to meet FDA standards when they are used on the labels of food and medications.
There are a number of different types of herbal supplements that aid in weight loss. Astralgus is one such supplement that not only boosts energy, but also tends to lessen your cravings for sweets. Aloe Vera, which cleans the digestive tract, thereby improving digestion, and Kelp, which boosts metabolism, are very popular supplements. You also have Licorice, which regulates blood sugar and reduces cravings for sweets, as well as Bee Pollen which stimulates metabolism and satisfies sweets cravings.
Prescription medications are normally more expensive than herbal supplements, and natural diet pills – or supplements – seem to have far fewer side effects, making them a much healthier and safer alternative to prescription medications. Keep in mind, however, that in many cases the normal scientific scrutiny that prescription drugs are put through, has not been applied to the long-term use side effects of natural weight loss pills. Before you decide to take natural appetite suppressants or any other kind of natural weight loss supplements, do your research and learn what you can about the product you have chosen, as well as the product’s ingredients.
Ephedra, which is one example of a ‘natural weight loss supplement’, was widely sold and used with excellent weight loss results before studies were done that concluded that some of the side effects of taking Ephedra included cardiac problems and even death.
The effectiveness of natural weight loss supplements is usually subjective and can vary from one consumer to the next. The variations of the ingredients in the supplements can be part of the reason for these differences, but they can also be attributed to the genetic differences in the individuals. Plants from which supplements come are harvested under conditions that vary. The active ingredient in the supplement can be affected by the timing of harvest, as well as the processing. Exposure to air and light can also affect the efficacy of weight loss supplements, and none of this manufacturing process is regulated.
There are pros and cons to using natural weight loss supplements, the same as with prescriptions, and they are specific to the product you choose. Just remember, there are countless ways to lose weight, but they all boil down to the same thing – eat fewer calories or burn more calories, or a combination of the two.
Choices in the weight loss industry are phenomenal, and natural weight loss supplements are only one of those choices. But, given the right product and the right manufacturer, they might very well be the best choice.
When starting any new weight loss program, be sure to consult a doctor and be aware of any side effects as well as interactions with any other medication you may be taking, or medical conditions you may have.
