Herbs in Natural Diet Pills You should Avoid
There are some diet pills that are just as safe and effective as some prescriptions. There are even some weight loss supplements that may even be safer than the use of prescription medications.
However, that may not always be the case. It is up to you to find the right ingredient blend to help maximize your health while being safe as you shed unwanted pounds.
In case you are seeking natural solutions to weight loss here are some natural herbs you should avoid:
Ephedrine (ephedra)-As of 2004, ephedrine-based substances were banned by the FDA for use in diet pills. Patients who have used products with this substance present in it have suffered hypertension as well as other heart problems including heart palpitations. In the worse cases, users of ephedra had a heart attack and even risked dying.
Country Mallow-This is another herb that was banned by the FDA. Furthermore, there was not enough evidence as of a few years ago to back up the effectiveness and safety of this herb. Watch out for this particular substance also known as heartleaf.
Comfrey-As of 2001 the FDA was asking manufacturers to remove products that have this plant source present in them off the market. It is known to be toxic when ingested. This does not necessarily mean it cannot be used in other ways, such as in essential oils or topical creams. But it is not recommended that you purchase products that have this plant source in it.
Here are some herbs and plants used in diet pills that are questionable, and that you should use with caution:
Garcinia-This substance has been tested on animals. There is not enough evidence to suggest that it would be harmful on humans, though. It is simply because of the fact that the longer-term effects of this drug are not known, as is the case of most natural herbs.
Senna-Ordinarily this is present in colon cleansing products that are intended to help people lose weight. It should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing. You should be very cautious about using it even if you are not female and/or not pregnant or nursing.
Stevia-Some controversy has arisen regarding the use of this substance. It is more of a type of sweetener than it is likely to be an ingredient used in a weight loss supplement. In any case, there are new studies suggesting it could lead to some liver problems. The research regarding this, however, is very inconclusive.