Those who have fought their way through various diets unsuccessfully often see in the intake of Appetite suppressants his last chance for a slim figure. But the "weight loss pills" are controversial. What kind of preparations are there and what alternatives are there?
What are appetite suppressants?
Hunger and satiety are subject to complex and extensive mechanisms that take place in the human brain and have not yet been researched down to the last detail. However, it has been proven possible to convey the signal “full” or “no appetite” to the brain via pharmaceuticals.
Appetite suppressants are therefore agents that manipulate the hunger center in the brain via certain messenger substances. At the same time, they usually convey a kind of feeling of happiness or high spirits. This can lead to increased activity, which burns a few calories via a heated metabolism and thus supports weight reduction somewhat.
The effect is small, however. Appetite suppressants do not break down fat themselves, but they do ensure less food intake. The basic idea is that they are designed for very overweight people.
Medical application, effect & use
Obesity, i.e. extreme overweight, is considered a disease. Obesity can cause a number of secondary diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, as well as bone and joint damage.
If weight loss is medically necessary, there are three prescription drugs (appetite suppressants) available in Germany that can be used under medical supervision. The effect can take place on the one hand by inhibiting the resumption of the messenger substances serotonin and norepinephrine and thus trigger feelings of satiety, or on the other hand by inhibiting the fat-digesting enzymes in the small intestine, whereby the dietary fat is excreted undigested.
This saves calories while maintaining the same amount of food. How Appetite suppressants Amphetamines, which also require a prescription, and ephedrine-containing agents also work. Appetite suppressants are often prescribed by the doctor as an introduction to a change in diet. But they are not suitable for permanent use.
By the way, saturation can also be achieved by means of swelling agents and dietary fiber - but this is a "real" feeling of satiety, as the stomach is filled with preparations that have swollen from the intake of fluids. These are not appetite suppressants, but so-called "slimming products", which also include fat burners, laxatives, diuretics (water draining agents) and slimming teas.
Herbal, natural & pharmaceutical appetite suppressants
If you go beyond the strict, "medical" term of Appetite suppressant In addition to the pharmaceutical drug, other forms of appetite suppressants can be identified.
There are herbal, natural and homeopathic remedies that have an appetite suppressant effect. Over-the-counter appetite suppressants either contain the same active ingredients as the prescription-only, but in lower doses, or they are purely plant-based or naturally manufactured products such as 5-HTP (a form of the amino acid tryptophan, obtained from the medicinal plant Griffonia).
Homeopathy uses the madar plant, namely the dried root bark, which is supposed to lower the appetite in the hunger satiety center. It is administered in the form of globules (sugar balls as an active ingredient carrier). Especially for those who are moderately overweight, however, really natural appetite suppressants are recommended: foods that fill you up quickly and continuously, fill your stomach well or heat up your metabolism.
A glass of water before each meal is calorie-free and works just as well as a swelling agent. Eggs, lentils, tomatoes, Jerusalem artichokes or apples have an appetite suppressant thanks to their natural ingredients. Hot spices like chilli improve fat burning.
Risks & side effects
Mainly pharmaceutical (chemical) Appetite suppressants, but also amphetamines and ephedrines can have strong to very strong side effects. From dry mucous membranes to palpitations, dizziness, sleep disorders, rise in blood pressure, impotence, nausea and restlessness to fatty stools, flatulence and fecal incontinence, the range of undesirable and sometimes dangerous side effects of taking appetite suppressants is enormous.
Some drugs are also addictive because they have a similar effect to psychotropic drugs (antidepressants). Therefore, various preparations are banned on the German market, others require a prescription and must be taken under medical supervision.
Herbal preparations are not automatically “harmless” either, but can have side effects and interactions with other agents. In addition, a change in diet and the necessary exercise that lead to permanent weight loss are not encouraged.
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