The Truth About Diet Pills

Prescription Medications

These medications are regulated by the FDA, but physicians are still cautious in prescribing them. They're only given to people who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 or a BMI of 27 in conjunction with other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. That's because these drugs, which tamper with the very complicated system that drives us to eat, can be risky to use.

Buyer beware : Taking too much of the medication or not following your doctors instructions exactly can lead to an increase in your heart rate, palpitations, and poor sleep, all of which could result in a greater risk of heart attack and stroke.

Over-the-Counter Drugs

Orlistat is the only product approved by the FDA that influences how fat is absorbed by our bodies. It coats the intestinal system stopping the enzymes that normally digest fat, enabling our bodies to absorb it. If you don't absorb fat, you can't absorb calories.

Buyer Beware : If you eat too much fat (a plate of cheese nachos, for instance), you will overload the system, and suffer bloating, gas and oily, loose, and frequent stools. To avoid this complication, you have to keep your total fat intake to 30% or less (which is actually how the medication does its job) and try taking psyllium husks or other high-fiber supplements to aid the digestive process. Orlistat also inhibits your body's ability to absorb important vitamins such as A, D and E, so it's important to take a multivitamin in conjunction with it.

Dr. Oz's Weight Loss in a Cup

Caffeine is a healthy way to jumpstart a diet. Two cups of black coffee (no cream, no sugar) a day will increase your metabolism. Check with your doctor before you put this into practice.