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We have all heard the promises that all diet pills offer. Lose all the weight you want without changing your lifestyle, no exercise required and so on. Sounds great to me, but as I am sure a lot of us know, these are all empty promises. It is our lifestyle that made us overweight to begin with, in most circumstances. I am sure I am not the only one who has tried a little miracle in a bottle, with no results, and I count myself lucky that I had no side effects and suffered no bodily damage. Who knows if any diet pill is really safe but here is a quick overview of what is available out there.

1. Orovo - This sounds like the latest buzz in the diet world. The woman who discovered Orovo was on Oprah, so this alone is great advertising and media coverage for her. It supposedly contains natural ingredients that will not only help you lose weight but also improve your skin. This supplement is not FDA approved and it doesn't sound like any side effects have been reported yet, but it may be too soon to tell.
2. Hoodia - Everyone is familiar with Hoodia, it is being promoted everywhere and is much more available now then it used to be. Very few side effects have been reported and it sounds like they were minor. Again, Hoodia is not FDA approved, so only time will tell if there are any long term side effects.
3. Alli - Now offered over the counter, it is FDA approved. It sounds like it is an average weight loss pill with minor side effects of gas and diarrhea.
4. Ephedrine - This seems to be a popular addition to many weight loss products but is frowned upon because of its many side effects. When coupled with caffeine, it can cause tremors, dizziness, and heart palpitations. This supplement is not FDA approved.
5. Fenphedra - Any information you find on the Internet on this supplement seem to support that it is the strongest and most effective weight loss pill out there. It definitely has its drawbacks, such as the price factor, which seems high. I also found an indication that it may be taken off the market soon because of some of its contents.

Trying to find information on line about all the various diet pills available, it becomes clear that all herbal medication is not FDA approved. If a diet pill is herbal then basically any claim can be made about that pill without being regulated by the FDA. When it comes to "herbal, all natural ingredients" , these companies get to play by a different set of rules not monitored by the FDA.

Common sense is the biggest thing the consumer has on their side. Talking to your doctor is great, but they also may not be fully informed on all the diet pills available. If a product claims that you will lose a lot of weight by doing nothing, then it probably isn't true. One of the best warnings I came across was to discontinue taking the supplement if too much weight was being lost.

I struggle with my own weight just like most people, but I feel there has to be a better way than a quick fix. And there is. It is called common sense mixed with sensible portions of food and exercise. I have lost weight before and I will do so again but not with the aid of pill popping and not by compromising my own health in the process.

Learn more about this author, sarah twinn.
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