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All you need to know about
the treatment of Obesity.
When you first consider losing weight you will
be astonished by the many options you find available around you, where every
one of them claims his ability to help you in your task of losing weight.
These options include; devices and gadgets,
herbal drinks, magic pills and potions and prescription drugs... So, how can you
know what's right for you, and determine the good from the bad and what really
works?
Here is a brief note on each of them;
Herbal Drinks:
They usually contain a mixture of herbs that act
as laxatives and diuretics. They lead to loss of body water mainly, thus some weight
is lost. They usually give fast results and encourage dieters to go on with
their programs.
Caution: Continuous
use may lead to loss of body fluids and electrolytes, which can be harmful for
some people. Avoid if you have kidney problems, or electrolyte imbalance. Also,
if used for long times, your bowels can become dependant on them.
Natural Diet Pills:
They usually contain the extracts of ephedra
herbs. They can suppress appetite, but they also lead to dangerously high blood pressure and risk of heart problems in some
people, so are not recommended.
Devices and Gadgets:
They claim to act locally on certain body parts
like the stomach and the hips, where most of the fat is usually present. They
are just quick fixes that have no long-term effect. The weight is usually
regained quickly.
Prescription Drugs:
Use of these agents is reserved for those with
BMI >30, or those having obesity-related risk factors; like diabetes
or heart disease, with a BMI > 27. Currently, there are only two
FDA-approved medicines for the long-term treatment of obesity, which are;
1. Xenical:(
Orlistat)
It acts by inhibiting the absorption of 30% of
the fat from the stomach, and when combined with a low-calorie diet and exercise
can lead to healthy weight loss in the range of 5-10% of initial body weight.
People around the world have used it safely for up to 2 years, till now.
Caution: If you
consume high fat meals, you may experience flatulence, oily stools, and
spotting. Also, absorption of some vitamins may be impaired requiring that you
take a vitamin supplement.
2. Meridia:(
Sibutramine)
It acts centrally by enhancing satiety, through
it action on serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. It also, reduces decline
in basal metabolic rate which occurs naturally when dieting. Both actions lead
to weight loss in the range of 5-10% of initial body weight when combined with
exercise and a low-calorie diet.
Caution:
In some individuals, it may lead to an increase in blood pressure and heart
rate. Monitoring your blood pressure when starting therapy is recommended. Avoid
if you have uncontrolled hypertension, or heart disease.
Revised on
22 September, 2007
For more on the issue, read Are
you On Diet?
If you need the help of a follow-up program,
take a look at El Malak 2 Weight Loss Program.
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