The market is flooded with pills and supplements promising to offer the ultimate weight loss solutions. But, do weight loss pills work as they claim to? Again, are these weight loss pills safe for human use? Weight loss pills and supplements have different ingredients whose main function is to reduce appetite, facilitate fat burning, and reduce absorption.
In this article, we will look at some weight loss pills and supplements that are popular and explain how they work.
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Glucomannan
Glucomannan is a fiber found in the roots of elephant yam and is considered as a dietary fiber. Glucomannan works by sitting in your gut and absorbing water so you feel full and eat fewer calories.
There have been debates on various studies regarding the effectiveness of glucomannan in aiding with weight loss. In a recent review of random trials, it was reported that glucomannan did not result in significant weight loss.
However, a study done in 2005 on 176 individuals showed that glucomannan helped both healthy and overweight adults to lose weight.
Some glucomannan containing products also aid with constipation, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and lowering blood sugar.
Glucomannan has been associated with side effects like bloating, soft stools, diarrhea, gas, and stomach pain.
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Garcinia Cambogia Extract
Garcinia cambogia is a small green fruit also known as Malabar tamarind that is shaped like a pumpkin. The fruit’s skin contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which is believed to help with weight loss. Garcinia cambogia extract became popular in 2012 when Dr. Oz showcased into the public for the first time.
The pill works by increasing the serotonin levels and preventing the breakdown of a fat-producing enzyme in the body. This helps to reduce cravings and fat growth.
However, there is no such scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of this extract to aid with weight loss. In fact, one report confirmed that its use had not been proven in large-scale studies and long-term clinical trials.
Even though the extract does not cause weight loss, it does not have serious side effects, especially when taken in correct doses. Based on the above report, there were no reports of adverse side effects when garcinia cambogia extract was taken with a dietary dosage of up to 2,800mg per day.
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Pyruvate
When the body breaks down sugar, it produces what is known as pyruvate. Pyruvate as a weight loss supplement works by helping with fat breakdown and boosting metabolism.
Based on the findings of the National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, pyruvate may have an impact on weight loss. However, the results are not conclusive owing to the weak studies available.
For an individual that take pyruvate, side effects may include gas and bloating.
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Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is popular in most diet pills due to the fact that it has been found to contain an antioxidant EGCG which aids in fat burning particularly in the stomach area.
Numerous studies believe that it increases the activity of a hormone called norepinephrine that helps the body to burn fat. Most studies also show that it is effective in causing fat loss in the belly. This then results to modest weight loss. However, more evidence is needed to support this claim.
Generally, green tea extract is well tolerated. Nonetheless, it has side effects like constipation, nausea, and stomach pain. What’s more, it contains caffeine and can cause symptoms to individuals who are sensitive to caffeine.
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Hydroxycut
Dominating the market for more than a decade, Hydroxycut is, without doubt, one of the most popular nutritional supplements in the world. There are numerous types but Hydroxycut is the most common one. This supplement contains many components such as caffeine and green tea extract that help with weight loss.
Since Hydroxycut contains ingredients like caffeine, it is believed to cause modest weight loss. However, there is only one study reviewing this supplement and more research is needed.
It is also difficult to identify its side effects since it contains many ingredients. Nonetheless, if you are caffeine sensitive, you may experience increased heart rate, anxiety, and jitteriness.
These are just some examples of the most potent pills and supplements in the market today. They have the same main effect such as losing weight. However, they have different ways of losing the fats and weight in the body. Regardless of the method, this answers how do weight loss pills work. So, now that you are aware of this, you can now confidently use them without wondering how they work.
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