How effective are weight-loss drugs?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:In sports, drugs are viewed as cheating. In school, drugs are viewed as a quick ticket to suspension. In music, drugs may be viewed as another member of the band. But in weight-loss circles, drugs have the reputation for being extreme, or even being the dirty way to lose weight. Used the right way, under the right supervision, however, weight-control drugs can help change your brain chemistry to help you reach your goals.
Why? Because they can give you a kick-start if you reach a plateau after you've tried diet and exercise. They're what can help you get over the hump. Weight-control drugs—in the form of doctor-supervised drugs, not OTC weight-loss fads—help you regulate your brain chemicals so you think less about "dieting" if you need help break plateaus, a bit like a coach helping an athlete through a slump.
Whatever their use, you do need to know that they're not miracle weight-loss methods—at least not at this point. They won't microwave your fat from your belly in 30 seconds. But they can help you achieve about a 5- to 10-percent weight loss while you're taking them. That's significant—especially when you're stalling.
But the only way to maintain the change is to simultaneously incorporate and supplement with lifestyle and behavioral changes in your overall waist-management plan (diet and exercise). Here are some hard numbers for the average person: Lifestyle change alone will usually get you 7-percent weight loss without major difficulty. Drugs alone will get you on average the same benefit. But if you combine efforts, you can double the benefits to 14 percent.
In sports, drugs are viewed as cheating. In school, drugs are viewed as a quick ticket to suspension. In music, drugs may be viewed as another member of the band. But in weight-loss circles, drugs have the reputation for being extreme, or even being... More -
Rachel Gilmore - NASM Elite Trainer answered:I personally have clients who have lost a great deal of weight using weight-loss drugs, however they gained it all back once they stopped taking the drugs. The reason is because they did not make a necessary lifestyle changes to lose the weight while taking the drugs. The drugs signal your brain that you are not hungry therefore you will eat fewer calories and ultimately lose weight. Diet and exercise are both crucial for achieving long term weight loss. If you have a lot of weight to lose and you are commited to the process, weight loss drugs combined with a good diet and exercise ccould be beneficial to you.I personally have clients who have lost a great deal of weight using weight-loss drugs, however they gained it all back once they stopped taking the drugs. The reason is because they did not make a necessary lifestyle changes to lose the weight... More -
Jeff Croswell answered:Personally I think these weight loss supplements are not the best thing for you. I have had clients take them some loss some weight, some lost nothing and others did not feel great when taking them. Unfortunately people are looking for that quick fix to get rid of the weight and body. This is not how your body works. Sure you may find a product that helps you lose that weight but then what. Now you stop taking it because you reached your goal but in many cases when this happens people tend to gain the weight back if not more than they had. Remember those so called fat loss supplements are nothing more than a stimulant. Once that stimulant is gone and if your eating and exercise habits have stayed the same you will gain it back. Weight loss is all about lifestyle change, not what drug can make you skinny. If you make the right choices in diet and exercise you will lose the weight week after week. I know it is not the quickest way to lose it but it is the healthiest way to do it. If you don't learn from your bad habits things won't change no matter what drug you are on. Bottom line most people can lose between 1-3 pounds per week if they don't take fat loss supplements and doing everything correctly.Personally I think these weight loss supplements are not the best thing for you. I have had clients take them some loss some weight, some lost nothing and others did not feel great when taking them. Unfortunately people are looking for... More -
While several medicines can bring about weight loss, none are available that have been proven to provide long-term benefit. Many drugs that decrease appetite have a stimulant effect, which can be harmful and occasionally addictive. Other drugs prevent your body from absorbing nutrients and can cause diarrhea. Any medicine must be accompanied by an appropriate diet.While several medicines can bring about weight loss, none are available that have been proven to provide long-term benefit. Many drugs that decrease appetite have a stimulant effect, which can be harmful and occasionally addictive. Other... More
