Appetite Suppressors - Should They Be Used?

Obesity becoming a health problem rather than a cosmetic problem, the question of the safest and easiest way to lose weight is gaining importance.

Those who are on the heavier side are willing to try out anything to bring the weight down to normal. Those who have already reached the ideal weight are struggling to stay trim. The biggest challenge faced by all is hunger. Hence appetite suppressors play an important role in this set-up. The basic theory behind appetite suppressors is "the less you eat, the less you need to lose".

As the name suggests, appetite suppressors are substances that suppress our appetite. This helps us to eat less, making it easy to shed excess weight. So they are mostly used by those who want to reduce weight.

Initially, they were prescribed by doctors to treat extreme cases of obesity. But now some appetite suppressors are even available over the counter. Before using them, it is important to analyze the positive and negative impacts of these drugs on your health.

The appetite suppressors can be broadly classified into two categories, namely, those belonging to the amphetamine family and herbal appetite suppressors.

The drugs of this group work by arousing the part of the brain which controls alertness and physical activity. When the brain concentrates on one activity, it slows down its other doings. When body becomes more active and alert, other functions like digestion and appetite slackens. The person will not feel hungry anymore. The increased physical activity also boosts the metabolic process. The drugs of amphetamine family available in stores are phentermine, ephedrine, sibutramine and rimonabant.

Phentermine: This is the most popular appetite suppressor drug today. It acts by releasing neurotransmitters norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonine, which suppress appetite.

Ephedrine: This is extracted from plants of the family ephedra. Even though it is banned in most countries as appetite suppressors, it is used as a stimulant for other medical purposes like increasing blood pressure and heart functioning.

Sibutramine: This works by controlling repeated ingestion of neurotransmitters and thereby increasing their effectiveness in suppressing appetite.

Rimonabant: This new type of appetite suppressors work by blocking signals and receptors of the brain.

Herbal Appetite Suppressors

These drugs derived from herbs work by increasing fat metabolism and reducing absorption of fat and sugar into the body. Hoodia Gordonii and Pinnothin are the two popular drugs in this category.

Hoodia Gordonii: This is made from a plant seen in Kalahari Desert of Africa. The presence of its molecules, which are similar to glucose molecules, in our blood, signals the brain to suppress hunger.

Pinnothin: This drug is made from the Korean Pine Nut tree. Its main ingredient pinnoleic acid produces cholecystokinin or CKK, which signals the brain to suppress hunger. CKK also induces the satiated feeling in the stomach.

Since appetite suppressors act by stimulating the brain, there are risks of addiction and side effects like depression, hypertension, stroke, heart problems, insomnia and anxiety. Some of the drugs from the amphetamine family are banned from markets. Due to the lesser side effects, herbal appetite suppressors are gaining popularity.

As the demand increase, more and more new drugs are entering the market. Do not be deceived by the tall claims of the drug manufacturers. Over-the-counter drugs are not backed by studies and the chance of their effectiveness is very much doubtful. Since most of them are not backed by clinical trials, seek the help of your doctor to decide on which one to choose. Also, it should be taken together with exercise and diet-program.

Careful research is suggested before ingesting any type of appetite suppressors.

Remember, gain without pain is not long-lasting.

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