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Natural Weight Loss Supplements - Are They Simply The Best?

from: DietFitnessCenter.com

The search continues for natural weight loss supplements that will give overweight and obese people the results they want without serious side effects or high cost. With more than 60 percent of the U.S. population considered overweight and one-third of the population obese, natural weight loss supplements have generated millions of dollars in sales just in the past 10 years.

In this rush to find the proverbial magic bullet, some companies focus on fat and sugar blockers as the best method. But reputable sellers should also tell you that these products are no substitute for good nutrition and appropriate exercise. As most weight loss experts now know, many herbal supplements sold as natural weight loss supplements work reasonably well. The real problem with herbal supplements is not their effectiveness, but their side effects, which often include drastic increases in blood pressure and heart problems.

As far back as 2004, studies found evidence of modest weight loss associated with ephedra-caffeine ingestion. But potentially serious adverse effects led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban the sale of these products. Guar gum and chitosan appear to be ineffective, according to the report. There are a number of other products that may be advertised as natural weight loss supplements. Individuals are urged to consult with their physician before using these products: conjugated linoleic acid, ginseng, glucomannan, green tea, hydroxycitric acid, L-carnitine, psyllium, pyruvate, and St. John's wort.

Natural weight loss supplements make up only part of the list of dozens of supplements being sold. Harvard Medical School and the National Institutes of Health report that there are more than 50 individual dietary supplements and more than 125 commercial combination products available for weight loss. But medical experts generally emphasize that natural does not necessarily mean safe or effective. An M.D./professor who specializes in toxic substances at the University of Pennsylvania reminds us that natural does not mean safe in all cases. In fact, some of the most toxic substances known to man are naturally occurring substances. This list includes toxin-producing molds, spiders, amphibians and even fireflies. Even the age-old remedy of castor can be toxic at the right levels.

Herbal medicines sold as natural weight loss supplements are readily available in health food stores, drug stores and even grocery stores, without prescriptions. Because of this, most Americans assume they are harmless. The herbal medicines are used to self-treat a variety of conditions, and to boost their body's overall functioning. But this use of herbal medicine can cause serious interactions with new drugs - yet another reason to use caution when selecting natural weight loss supplements.

DietFitnessCenter.com