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Diet Pill Risks

Many consumers are looking for a quick fix when it comes to weight loss, often in pill form. However, when it comes to diet pills, the claims put forth by the manufacturers are typically too good to be true. Hundreds of diet pills exist today, the majority of which are neither approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor recommended by doctors due to their risks.

  1. Side Effects

    • The FDA has limited abilities to regulate diet pills and can only conduct an investigation once a product hits store shelves. In 2009, the FDA found 69 over-the-counter diet pills that included hidden ingredients known to cause harmful side effects. The secret pharmaceutical ingredients found in the pills have been linked with seizures, liver damage, headaches and nausea.

    Heart Problems

    • Many diet pills contain stimulants like caffeine that can boost metabolism but also increase heart rate. In all users, and especially those with existing heart problems, these diet pills can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.

    Vitamin Deficiency

    • Some diet pills block the absorption of fat, which also means they block the absorption of necessary fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K. Fat-blocking diet pills force the body to excrete the vitamins, rather than allow them to travel into the body. Without the proper amounts of these vitamins, the user puts his immune system and bone, blood and eye health at risk.

    Digestive Problems

    • Fat-blocking diet pills can also cause digestive problems. If the user eats too much fat, the ingredients in the pill can quickly cause diarrhea and loose stools. In some cases, the user may have no control over her bowels.

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