Best Weight Loss Drugs
We have all heard that carrying around more than our ideal body weight can not only be bad for our self image, but it can also have harmful effects on our joints, our arteries, and eventually our lifespan. But for some people who have a genetic disposition toward obesity, diet and exercise just simply don’t seem to be enough to reach that ideal weight.
However, this doesn’t mean that those people can’t enjoy the lifestyle of a healthier weight; these people, and others who might not have the time to exercise or prepare healthy meals every day, might want to look to weight loss supplements to ease the weight loss journey.
The world of weight loss drugs might be a little intimidating at first because there are so many and in such a wide variety, but this should not discourage you from getting the help you need to make changes that are going to enrich your life. With a little bit of research, you’ll be able to find the product that will be just right for your individual needs.
Types of weight loss drugs
Prescription
Individuals who have a body mass index of 30 and above who don’t have any obesity related conditions can qualify for a prescription drug. However, someone with a BMI of 27 and above who does have obesity related conditions might also be recommended by their doctor to try a prescription drug. These prescriptions often vary in ingredients and type, but they are always expensive and rarely covered by your insurance. These prescriptions are also only available for short-term use, which means they are only intended to be taken for a few weeks or maybe months.
Appetite suppressants
These weight loss medications are generally found in capsules that have extended-release technology, or ones that slowly discharge medicine into your bloodstream. Appetite suppressants usually manipulate the messages between your brain and your stomach, tricking your body into believing that it is full. A nice side effect of this is that the drugs usually increase serotonin or catecholamine levels—the chemicals that your brain releases when you are full—are also responsible for good moods.
Fat absorption inhibitors
Because fat is absorbed once food is released into the small intestine, it is easy for the fat to be separated from the other nutrients once the stomach has already broken your food down. Fat absorption inhibitors target the fat in the small intestine, locking themselves onto each fat molecule, making a compound that is too large to pass through the intestinal wall. The fat is then discharged with the rest of your waste through the bowels.
Metabolism boosters
Also called thermogenics, or fat burners, these types of weight loss pills work to increase heat through metabolic stimulation. In short, they quite literally burn more calories. These can be helpful since so many people have genetically slower metabolisms than others. However, these weight loss drugs can be very powerful and can cause some nasty side effects. While most of them are pretty safe, any supplements that contain high doses of ephedra can come with such health risks as heart attack, stroke, and even death.
You must remember that above all else, your long term health is more important than anything the scale says. Even if a weight loss drug has been shown to help its users lose large amounts of weight, it isn’t worth side effects like death. But, for the most part, weight loss drugs are extremely safe and, if you find one that falls within the above category, they’re going to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.