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The diet pill industry is an annual $40 billion earner showing that people have forgotten a basic rule of thumb: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. The ideas of diet pills cater to the coveted convenience and quick fix ideals of Western culture but they are a dangerous and illogical method of weight loss.

Society has placed high value on slim bodies while simultaneously marketing fattening foods. One in three people are now obese, mostly from unhealthy lifestyles, and diet pill propaganda fulfills the idea that lifestyle means nothing in comparison to a convenient quick fix. Moreover, many people use diet pills in attempt to shed a few pounds when weight loss medication is intended for people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30+.

Diet pills are available in many varieties from prescription and over the counter (OTC) to herbal and they utilize different methods for their outcome through appetite suppressants, fat blockers and stimulants. Of this assortment, none is completely safe, especially without medical supervision.

Appetite suppressants work by controlling chemicals in the brain to create the feeling of fullness, thus decreasing the desire to eat. The act of skipping meals ultimately slows a person's metabolism; therefore, calories from the few meals eaten do not burn as quickly as normal. Eating nutritious and small portions of food is a much healthier and effective way to control weight.

The use of stimulants in diet pills brings an array of health risks. Stimulants often mimic the effects of amphetamines and are marketed as metabolism boosters. Stimulants accelerate the body through the central nervous system and produce terrible side effects, which are sometimes fatal. These chemicals can cause increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, anxiety and sleeplessness. The use of stimulants in the diet pill industry has caused adverse health conditions and fatalities. Fen/Phen and Ephedra are two commonly known stimulants that were eventually banned by the FDA due to the risks they posed to health. Moreover, stimulants may become addictive due to their similarities with amphetamines, acting much like speed or cocaine.

Fat blockers operate by depositing fat directly to the bowels so that it is not thoroughly absorbed and digested. The side effects of fat blockers are reason enough not to use them. The direct deposit of fat to the bowels may cause bloating, painful cramps, gas, diarrhea and uncontrollable bowel movements/leakage. The side effects of this dieting method do not promote well-being or fit the image of "better looks through dietary supplement".

Many dietary supplements are not tested or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, especially the herbal remedies. Numerous diet pills contain combinations of caffeine and laxatives among other things. The lack of regulation and testing means that the pills could contain chemicals that are not safely mixed.

Studies show that the use of diet pills also decrease in effectiveness in a short period of time due to the bodies increased tolerance from continuous use. Furthermore, diet pills can only assist in the average loss of 10 pounds. Weight loss pills should only be used with the direction of a physician for people that are extremely obese because regulators inform this is the only case in which supplements are worth the risk.

Proper nutrition and adequate exercise are the safest and most effective means of being healthy. Weight is not lost as quickly as it gains, so moderation is important. Do not be fooled and weakened by cultural promotion of unhealthy lifestyles with quick fix remedies. There is a reason that weight loss infomercials offer the small print disclaimer: "results not typical".

Learn more about this author, Katrina Murphy.
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