HEALTH
From Issue #25
Pill Pressure
Think diet pills are the golden ticket to getting thin?
Think again—these dangerous pill ingredients can kill you!
By Chantel Simmons

FENFLURAMINE HOW IT WORKS: Fenfluramine works as an appetite suppressant by increasing serotonin levels in your brain and stopping feelings of hunger. HOW IT HURTS: Side effects can include diarrhea, high blood pressure, dry mouth, rash, palpitations, headaches, drowsiness, constipation, and chest pains. Taking it for longer than three months can put you at risk for primary pulmonary hypertension, a rare but fatal lung disease. BUYER BEWARE: Fenfluramine is often paired with Phentermine and called "Fen-Phen" in diet pills. Since the two ingredients have opposing negative side effects (drowsiness/insomnia, constipation/diarrhea), you would hope their dangers would cancel each other out when combined. However, serious and longterm harmful effects including heart palpitations, hypertension, and skin disorders still occur.

PHENTERMINE/PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE HOW IT WORKS: Phentermine increases your metabolic rate and also affects another brain chemical, dopamine, which enhances your feelings of fullness. HOW IT HURTS: It can cause hypertension, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, hyperactivity, severe skin disorders, insomnia, irritability, and mood swings.

ORLISTAT HOW IT WORKS: This drug blocks an enzyme in your body that is needed to digest fat–so, up to one third of the fat that you eat will just flush through your system without being absorbed. HOW IT HURTS: In blocking fat, Orlistat also blocks things your body needs, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, and beta carotene. Its common side effects include bloating, diarrhea, and oily stools.

PHENTERMINE/PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE HOW IT WORKS: Phenolphthalein, often found in laxatives, stimulates the bowel to empty prematurely, making you feel lighter. HOW IT HURTS: Since laxatives only affect food after the calories have been absorbed through the small intestines, your body is only losing fluid, which can actually cause you to retain water and appear bloated a few days later. Continued laxative use can cause bloating, cramping, dehydration, heart attacks, and in extreme cases, death. HOW IT HURTS: Phenolphthalein has also been linked to cancer.

EPHEDRINE HOW IT WORKS: Ephedrine (a.k.a. ephedra) is a thermogenic, a product that speeds up your metabolism so you burn fat more quickly. Since it’s a stimulant (like coffee or cola), it gives you a buzz and keeps you energized while you think you don’t need to eat. HOW IT HURTS: It can cause an irregular and increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, diarrhea, severe chest pains, breathing problems, anxiety attacks, and cardiac arrest. Ephedra has been linked to many deaths from heart attacks to seizures and strokes. Last year, a 23-year-old Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect took three pills at once and died within 24 hours. BUYER BEWARE: On ingredient lists, ephedrine is also referred to as Ma Huang, yellow horse, yellow astringent, epitonin, joint fir, sea grape, popotillo, and desert tea.

SUREFIRE SLIMMERS
Want to lose weight and keep it off? These tried-and-true strategies will help you slim down safely.

• DRINK MORE WATER.
Dehydration is often mistaken for hunger, so drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep you hydrated and feeling full.

• EAT FOUR TO FIVE SMALL MEALS A DAY.
If you know you’re going to eat again in a few hours, you’ll be less likely to overeat at any meal. And, if you’re eating more often, you’ll never be so famished that you make unhealthy food choices.

• CARRY HEALTH SNACKS.
If you keep an apple, cut veggies, nuts, or cheese in your bag, you’ll be less tempted to buy junk food.

• TREAT YOURSELF.
Don’t forbid yourself any foods or you'll crave them more than ever. Instead, once a week, allow yourself a food you love, such as fries, cookies, or ice cream. The rest of the week, aim to eat healthy snacks.

• AVOID FAD DIETS.
Most fad diets restrict your caloric intake or eliminate essential foods (such as carbs), and once you go off the diet (which you will, eventually!), you’ll gain back the weight you lost, and more.

• WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING YOU EAT.
Recording every jujube you eat may help you stop at five instead of 15!

 

 

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