Weight loss pills are not new in the field of dietary supplements. They have been around since the early 1900s. The first thing that you need to know about these weight loss supplements is that they are not effective in isolation. You need to work out and sweat your way through the process.

Weight loss pills do not require FDA approval for marketing dietary supplements in public. However, pharmaceutical companies marketing these supplements are required to provide truthful information regarding side effects, if any, regarding these pills. Unfortunately, some of these pills that are marketed do not reveal hidden ingredients that can be harmful in the long run. Hence it is important for you to talk to a healthcare professional before consuming any of these over the counter pills. Most of these weight loss pills that are marketed as ‘miracle pills’ are nothing but hokum. Shedding pounds in a week just by consuming these pills is not possible. Even if it was, it would have serious health implications. There is no shortcut to weight loss as guaranteed by many weight loss pills manufacturing companies.

The science behind these weight loss pills is that they actually help increase the body’s metabolism. So, when you work out, you burn some extra calories due to increased metabolism. Thanks to the weight loss pills that you consumed before or after your workout session. The other aspect with which the weight loss pills work is that they control or kill the appetite. These appetite-killing pills are effective for people who are obese or have uncontrolled weight gain due to eating disorders. These weight loss pills are called as stimulant-like pills as they stimulate loss of appetite. Sibutramine, which is present in these pills, increases levels of serotonin and norepinephrine that helps you feel full. Orlistat is a kind a drug that blocks the fat absorption in the gut. Thus, it helps in reducing the risk of regaining weight that you have already lost.

Caffeine is one of the most naturally occurring ingredients found in many weight loss pills. It contains methylxanthine, which stimulates the central nervous system, heart and the skeletal muscles. It increases gastric and colonic activity. Simply put, it helps in cleaning the gut. It increases the sympathetic activation of the central nervous system and acts as diuretic. Dietary or weight loss pills can also affect the hormonal balance of a person consuming them, so it is important that you consult your physician before consuming these pills.