How do weight loss tablets work?

How do weight loss tablets work?

Various weight loss pills are available in the market, but their safety and efficacy are questionable.

Weight loss- hard to achieve the goal.

The modern human is struggling between two paradoxes, the likeness and craze for food and obsession with weight loss. The increased per capita food availability and the use of high-energy foods have resulted in a huge population with excessive body fat. According to a health survey of 2019 published by the House of Commons Library, 28% of adults in England are obese.

But how to lose weight while still being a food lover? Exercise can be time-consuming, and dieting may need to be so friendly for your taste buds. Recently, many products have entered the market with a claim to reduce weight, and the global market of these products is in billions of pounds.

Among these products, weight loss medications and tablets are a comparatively new addition to the market, and several people have claimed to be benefited from these products. Here, we have summarised the important things you need to know about weight loss pills.

What are weight loss tablets?

A weight loss pill is a tablet included in the weight loss regime, e.g., exercise and a healthy and balanced diet to encourage weight loss. Various tablets containing diverse ingredients have entered the market, but their effectiveness is questionable. Some of these pills are ineffective, while others may be effective but are not considered safe by regulatory authorities and are unavailable in the UK.

The most common active ingredients in these tablets are the lipotropic compounds (the drugs that influence the metabolism of fats), e.g., caffeine, vitamins, herbal products, fat binders, carbohydrate blockers etc. Let's see how a diet pill work.

Do these tablets work?

The working and efficacy of these drugs depend upon the active ingredient present in these drugs. For example, the pills containing Orlistat (e.g., alli) are effective, and NHS has approved them to be included in the weight loss program.

Various other pills having different active ingredients have shown efficacy in clinical trials but have yet to be approved by NHS or MHRA due to the limited safety data available. Let's go through the effectiveness of these pills. However, keep remembering these pills are effective only when used as a part of a complete weight loss program that includes a balanced diet and exercise. Even the best and most proven tablet will only be ineffective if used as a sole measure.

Orlistat tablets

It is considered to be effective in the job by NHS.

How does it work?

It prevents the digestion of some of the fats you eat through your foods. The undigested fats can't be absorbed into the body and will be flushed out through the faeces.

What are the common brands in the market?

Most brands in the market (e.g., Xenical-120mg) are available on prescription, but some are also available over the counter (e.g., alli). At Welzo, we have various brands of Orlistat available for you. You can order any of these products after an online consultation. Click here to proceed with your order.

Weight loss injections such as Wegovy, are an alternative to weight loss tablets. 

How effective is the Orlistat?

Several studies have described the effectiveness of Orlistat tablets in various regimes.

• A 2011 study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that thrice daily supplementation of Orlistat (120mg) reduced the body weight by 4.65kg compared to the 2kg decrease observed in the placebo group. However, the researchers also noted side effects, e.g., faecal urgency, abdominal pain and loose stools.

• An earlier study published in the Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy in 2000 noted that 120mg orlistat thrice a day in combination with a low caloric diet and lifestyle changes produced a significant reduction in obesity and its related complications. However, 20% of users reported some manageable side effects.

Clavitanol tablets

Clavitanol is a plant-derived product available in the market under various brand names.

How does it work?

It is claimed to decrease digestion and the breakdown of fats, sugars and carbohydrates from foods into the blood. It accomplishes this job by blocking the digestive enzymes in the stomach.

What are the common brands in the market?

The most famous brand available in the market is XLS-Medixal Max Strength. It is claimed to reduce the caloric intake from carbohydrates, sugars and fats. These tablets are, however, not approved by NHS or MHRA and are available over the counter.

It is your job to decide whether it works for you or not. You should purchase it only from trusted sources. Some online pharmacies will require you to answer a few questions or fill out a questionnaire before approving your request.

How effective is Clavitanol?

The studies on the use of these tablets have provided variable results.

• A clinical trial study published in the Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2015 found that using Clavitanol produced a weight loss of 3.29kg, significantly higher than the 0.83 kg of the placebo group. The researchers noted no serious side effects throughout the treatment period of 14 weeks.

• Another clinical trial study published by Pharma Nutrition in 2018 noted that Clavitanol effectively reduced blood glucose after a meal. The decrease in the glucose levels was dose and time-dependent.

Fat binding tablets

These tablets influence the digestion and absorption of fats and reduce their availability to the body.

How do these tablets work?

The active ingredients in these tablets cause the dietary fats in your food to bind to the fibre. This effect reduces the absorption of fats, and these fats are flushed out with stools.

What are the common brands in the market?

For example, the weight loss product XLS-Medical Fat Binder contains Litramine as the active ingredient. It is a fat-binding product containing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E) and plant fibres. It is derived from the cactus plant.

How effective are the fat-binding tablets?

Some studies have found these tablets useful for weight loss when combined with an effective weight loss program.

• A review published in the Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine described that a 3 g daily dose of Litramine significantly increased fat excretion through the stools (15.80% vs 4.6% in the placebo group). A significant weight loss of 3.8 kg was also noted in the experimental group after 12 weeks of regular use.

Likewise, the fat binders, these Tablets, are not approved by NHS or MHRA and are available over the counter. You should decide if these tablets work for you or not and use them as a part of a full weight loss program.

Carbohydrate blockers

Carb blockers are also effective for weight loss.

How do carbohydrate blockers work?

These tablets reduce the digestion of carbohydrates, reducing the sugar in the blood. These drugs accomplish this task by blocking the enzymes involved in the digestion of carbohydrates.

What are the common brands in the market?

The common brands available in the market are MetaCarb, Carb X etc. Most of these brands contain white kidney bean extract, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs), Berberine etc. These are also commonly used for type 2 diabetes. These are available on prescription, and the doctor should decide their use.

How effective are carbohydrate blockers?

Some studies prove their effectiveness.

• A randomised controlled trial study published in the Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine in 2007 noted that a 4-week regular use of 1000 mg of white bean extract before meals twice a day as a part of a complete weight loss program caused a 6 lbs decrease in the experimental group as compared to 4.7 lbs in the placebo group.

• Another study published in the Food Science and Nutrition in 2020 noted that regular use of white kidney bean extract resulted in a 2.24 kg reduction in body weight within 5 weeks compared to a loss of just 0.29 kg in the placebo group during the same time.

Natural products

Besides these pharmacology products, some products derived from traditional sources, e.g., weeds and plants, have also been shown to be effective for weight loss. One example is the product Adios Max, derived from the seaweed plant (Fucus vesiculosus).

The traditional sources have found it useful for weight loss and other conditions, e.g., arthritis and pain loss. However, besides this anecdotal evidence, the user has yet to be confirmed by any large studies, and you need to explore their usefulness for you.

Meratrim

It is a relatively new addition to the diet pills market and was developed by InterHealth Neutraceuticals. This pill combines the extract from two plants, Garcinia mangostana and Sphaeranthus indicus and also influences fat metabolism.

How does it work?

It works by reducing the digestion of fats, reducing the uptake of fat by the cells from the bloodstream, and increasing the consumption of the stored fat. It is also claimed to reduce the multiplication of fat cells.

How effective is the Meratrim?

Various studies have confirmed its effectiveness for weight loss, and no side effects have been reported.

• A study published in the Lipids in Health and Disease in 2016 noted that twice daily use of 400 mg meratrim for 16 weeks caused a significant decrease of 5.09 kg in body weight. The treatment regime also included a calorie-restricted diet and regular walking.

Phentermine and Contrave

These are prescription drugs and have shown some efficacy for the purpose. These drugs suppress the appetite by influencing the hypothalamus to cause increased production of serotonin, dopamine and epinephrine. However, these also cause an increase in heart rate and high blood pressure. The studies have produced mixed results.

Remember that these pills are rarely effective on their own and need to be combined with other weight loss strategies. These drugs are also unsuitable for long-term use as they are associated with various side effects.

Hydroxycut

This supplement has been used for years and is one of the most popular and common supplements available in the market. Its active ingredient is a coffee extract. Therefore, its use is not for heart patients as the caffeine in the coffee extract causes an increased heart rate.

How effective is the Hydroxycut?

These side effects are only transient, and appetite-reducing products are employed for weight loss. Several studies have verified its effectiveness for the purpose.

• A study published in Hawaii's Medical Journal in 2010 noted that it did cause a reduction in body weight, but liver toxicity was a dangerous side effect that limited its use.

However, its use has been linked to various serious side effects, e.g., irritability, diarrhoea, jitteriness, anxiety, tremors, nausea and acute liver injury.

Summary

Various supplements and tablets are available in the market with a claim to reduce body weight. These tablets employ different means and mechanisms to reduce weight, e.g., reducing appetite, increasing the mobilisation of fats from the body, decreasing the absorption of digested fats etc.

However, the efficacy of few such products has scientific backing, and the results for some of the products are even mixed. We have mentioned the facts about some of the common weight loss tablets. It is still better to discuss these tablets with a dietician or a doctor before use.

Is there any issue with the use of these tablets?

Despite some research backing for their effectiveness, weight loss tablets are controversial, and various such products have been removed from the market due to their serious side effects. For example;

• Hydroxycut is often prohibited, and it was removed from the markets due to some serious side effects, e.g., hepatotoxicity.

• Another notorious example is the use of Fen-Phen, a combination of phentermine and fenfluramine. This product was removed from the market due to its serious side effects, e.g., damage to the heart valves and pulmonary hypertension. These effects were reported to cause several deaths.

Due to this notorious history, some doctors are reluctant to prescribe them. Even the doctors prescribing these drugs have recommended regularly monitoring the parameters, e.g., mood, heart rhythms, blood pressure etc. Moreover, the effectiveness of these tablets is highly questionable as the 5-10 pounds of weight loss may not be satisfactory for many users, although it may be significant for the medical community.

Moreover, these effects can be attributed to a placebo effect and are mostly reversed completely as a person leaves these tablets.

How long do you need to use weight loss tablets?

The answer to this question is anecdotal and depends on your experience with the drug. If you feel it is working for your situation and there are no side effects, you should discuss it with the doctor for long-term use. However, your healthcare provider may change it for a better option if you do not have any results (not lost at least 5% of weight after 3-6 months of regular use) or are experiencing side effects.

However, the following tips, along with these tablets, can facilitate your weight loss journey.

• Plan your meals scientifically in consultation with the nutritionist

• Use psychological techniques, e.g., a smaller plate to decrease your food intake

• Eat fibre-rich foods as they provide a better filling effect with fewer calories than protein or fat-rich food.

• Drinking plenty of water and thirst can increase the appetite. Keeping your stomach filled with water is a good option, as pure water is not caloric.

• Include more vegetables and fruits in your diet.

Bottom-line

Some weight loss tablets have research backing. However, healthcare professionals don't recommend using these tablets due to their side effects on metabolism and general health. Some supplements containing caffeine, green tea extract and glucomannan are effective and safe. However, their effects are modest, and you can't rely on them completely.

In a nutshell, none of these tablets and supplements promises to lose enough weight to rely on them solely. Using these tablets with a low-caloric and high-fibre healthy diet and boosting your daily physical activities is essential for losing weight.

If you are working hard to lose weight and still find no benefit, it could indicate some underlying health condition. Our Weight Loss Blood Test helps you to determine the cause of this situation. Click here to place your order.

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