Over-the-counter weight-loss pills: Do they work?

Over-the-counter weight-loss pills: Do they work?
The temptation to use over-the-counter weight-loss pills to lose weight fast is strong. But are these products safe and effective?
By Mayo Clinic staff

The appeal of losing weight quickly is hard to resist. But do weight-loss pills and products lighten anything but your wallet? And are they a safe option for weight loss? Here's a look at some over-the-counter weight-loss pills and what they will and won't do for you.
Over-the-counter doesn't mean risk-free

A number of weight-loss pills are available at your local drugstore, supermarket or health food store. Even more options are available online. Most haven't been proved effective, and some may be downright dangerous.

Dietary supplements and weight-loss aids aren't subject to the same rigorous standards as are prescription drugs. Thus, they can be sold with limited proof of effectiveness or safety. Once a product is on the market, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors its safety and can take action to ban or recall dangerous products. Indeed, the FDA has banned the sale of supplements containing ephedra and other ephedrine-like ingredients.
Check the facts before you buy

It's important to do your homework if you're thinking about trying over-the-counter weight-loss pills. Read labels and talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Also be sure to check the FDA website for alerts about safety concerns and product recalls.

The table shows common weight-loss pills and what the research shows about their effectiveness and safety.

Smaller, Healthier Meals are Recommended

Eat smaller but more meals in the day. This is the most effective diet plan for women post 40 years. When the metabolism is low, you need to give it more work. The body metabolism tends to reduce when the body feels the need to store more energy. This is because of the natural human tendency of keeping reserves for the worst-case scenario. As such, a very important part of diet plan for females, is that you give your metabolism a good workout; make sure that you eat at a three-hour time interval. Stick to a healthy diet plan with a lot of vitamins and fiber content. Eat 5 to 6 small meals in the day. In case you feel hungry midway, have a small healthy snack. Avoid eating fatty or cholesterol-rich foods and stick to fruits for snacks. This will not only increase your metabolism, but will keep you healthy and strong as well. More so, this will prevent you from overeating at regular times.

If you have kids at home, you might face some problem. Many of the meals you eat for your age might make children unhappy. Rather than orienting the food preparation according to your children's whines and whims, why not train them to eat like an adult? Bring in boiled and steamed foods instead of fried stuff. Instead of plenty of oil/butter, add enough seasonings and spices as per your taste and sprinkle oil, so that you cut down on the fat content. Get into a routine of drizzling, lightly spraying, or dabbing butter or oil.