Weight Loss Drugs - What Really Works For Quick Weight Loss

The two main methods that people currently use to shed excess pounds are surgery which might be considered excessive by some, or exercising and eating more healthily.

If surgery isn't bad enough, increasing numbers of overweight people start to take weight loss drugs as a fast and relatively inexpensive way to shed excess fat.

The process is relatively simple as the drugs act upon the brain's own chemical, serotonin, fooling the brain into believing it's not hungry and at the same time increasing the body's metabolism. The problem arose when it was found that one of the side effects from this type of drug was the increased risk of heart valve disease and of course the drug was quickly withdrawn from use. Not to be defeated though, manufacturers have introduced updated drugs, prescribed by doctors but the FDA approval process is slow.

These weight loss pills have become popular and you can almost guarantee that you will know of someone who has tried them with success. Let's be honest, it's in our nature to like things that provide near instant results, without having to put in any effort. As a consequence, drug companies spend millions of dollars in research on weight loss drugs while consumers spend even more buying the pills.

The more recent weight control pills can be prescribed by your doctor, dietitian or purchased in a drug store and despite the advances made in the drug manufacture, there are still dangers including vomiting and stomach problems. But they are not the only side effects and some can be more harmful than others. These include heart attacks, tremors, strokes, hallucinations and renal failure.

The best course of action before taking any type of pill is to consult your doctor; here are many factors that could contribute to any problems you experience and these do not necessarily stop when you cease taking the pills. The side effects experienced by users of weight loss pills can include noticeable mood swings, hyper-activity, stomach pains, insomnia, nightmares, severe irritability, extreme fatigue, depression, nausea, vomiting and trembling.

Many clinical tests will show that the weight loss drugs taken to reduce weight really work but this can only be done in conjunction with a low calorie diet and an exercise plan. A low calorie diet would consist of meals that contain vitamins, minerals and fiber which are all essential for good health; the best sources are fruit and vegetables.

As far as the exercise is concerned, this needs to be worked out in advance after a physical examination by your doctor. By choosing a cardiovascular routine, the heart will be exercised and will benefit from the use of weights which in turn should help to speed up the person's metabolism so that calories are used up more quickly.