March 10th, 2022 | Updated on January 23rd, 2023
When one embarks on a weight loss journey, there are countless methods they can choose to use. Some are instant while others are gradual, so you can choose what works best for you. One of these methods is using appetite suppressants or in other words food suppressants.
It is a type of medication, usually in pill form, that is in most cases given to people with a BMI higher than 30 to help them lose weight. Food suppressants have effects on the brain by reducing the urge to eat just as the name suggests.
Also, they can work by blocking the absorption of some nutrients in the body, and by doing so you will have a lower intake of calories and burn some in your body, consequently causing the loss of weight.
Food Suppressants Effectiveness
These pills as mentioned are prescribed by a doctor mainly to people with excess weight. Their effectiveness on weight loss according to research has been seen to range between 3%-5% in an average duration of 12 months.
This might not be the range you intend to lose but they impact individuals differently.
Nutritionists advise that any food suppressant should go hand in hand with other weight management methods such as exercise and healthy eating habits.
Be careful while getting these pills over the counter since some have had adverse side effects and it’s, therefore, advisable to get them from a doctor. A few examples of common food suppressants that have proven effective include:
1. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
This is a fatty acid found in animal products that work by regulating appetite hormones. It also increases the burning of calories and breaks down fats and inhibits the development of fat cells in your body, and as a result weight reduction.
2. Garcinia Cambogia
This diet pill is a food suppressant that is usually extracted from the garcinia fruit. It contains hydroxycitric acid which reduces the metabolism of carbs by increasing serotonin levels in your brain. It also increases fullness in the stomach, therefore, suppressing appetite.
3. Green Coffee Bean Extract
This one is extracted from raw coffee beans and contains chlorogenic acid which may inhibit the accumulation of fats in the body. Coffee beans also have caffeine which decreases appetite.
4. PhenQ
This product is also a food suppressant since it burns fat in the body and suppresses appetite by helping you to manage your cravings and increasing metabolism. Research shows that this formula prevents the development of new fat cells.
There are also natural food suppressants that you can also incorporate in your diet instead of using the diet pill and have also proven effective. The most common ones you might consider include:
5. Fenugreek
These are usually dried seeds that have lots of fiber such as galactomannan in them, which as a result regulates blood sugar and reduces cholesterol in your body.
The high fiber in these seeds makes them insoluble in the stomach, therefore, reducing fats and carbs absorption rate in your body which then slows your need to eat.
6. Green Tea
This is another herb that has proven its effectiveness in weight reduction, among other health benefits. It contains caffeine, a stimulant that increases burning calories; and catechins that boost your metabolism and as a result fact reduction. Combining green tea with other ingredients makes it a perfect food suppressant by reducing your appetite levels.
7. Glucomannan
A high intake of fiber is a natural way of controlling your appetite. Glucomannan is best known for its high fiber content making it a perfect food suppressant since it creates some sort of bulkiness in the stomach which makes you feel full for a long time and therefore your intake of food is reduced.
It is important to note that glucomannan is taken as a supplement, best prescribed by a doctor.
Pros And Cons Of Appetite Suppressants
Having discussed the effectiveness of food suppressants, it is important to understand their advantages and also disadvantages.
As earlier said, these pills are prescribed mainly for obese individuals which means they are not for everyone.
They have the advantage of losing weight by regulating your appetite and taming unhealthy eating habits. In addition to this, most food suppressants increase body metabolism and also boost energy.
However, these pills are dangerous for people with other health conditions such as glaucoma, heart, kidney & liver diseases since they can interfere with medication. Expectant and nursing mothers are also advised not to use them.
Other possible risk factors are attached to the use of diet pills such as dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and nervousness.
In summary, these food suppressants are effective while prescribed by a doctor and used alongside other weight loss methodologies.
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Information provided by Newszii.com does in no way substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Any text, videos, or any other material provided by us should be considered general information only. Any health-related information may vary from person to person, hence we advise you to consult specialists for more information.