Obesity Information

Obesity is growing at a dramatic pace in the developed countries giving health experts a serious cause for concern. The reason for the panic is that obesity increases the likelihood of developing serious health conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties during sleep (sleep apnoea), certain types of cancers and osteoarthritis. The number of people dying because of obesity related diseases is therefore growing at a fast pace.

To pull down the steadily growing graph of people who are overweight or obese, doctors are recommending wholesale lifestyle changes to people. This is because the main cause of obesity is a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating practices. Today, people do little or no exercise and are addicted to high calorie junk food. Calorie input is much higher than the calorie output and as a result, people accumulate excess body fat.

Dieting and exercise are fundamental to the success of any weight loss programme, however, for patients who are unable to lose significant body weight through these conventional methods, doctors are increasingly recommending the use of anti-obesity drugs. The primary objective of suggesting these drugs is to prevent you from becoming a victim to obesity related conditions, through effective weight loss.

While a large number of over-the-counter anti obesity drugs are available on the market, doctors prefer the use of prescription anti-obesity drugs. This is because the authenticity and efficacy of non-prescription obesity drugs is doubtful as the regulatory norms for herbal-based drugs are much more relaxed. Many scam artists take undue advantage of this fact and try to dupe you of your time and money by selling fake and sometimes harmful medications whilst promising quick weight loss. Experts warn against falling prey to advertisement that promise dramatic weigh loss overnight, they are most likely to be fake. On the other hand prescription drugs have received approval after being tested for their safety and efficacy in several clinical trials provided they pass all the set norms. As prescription drugs require you to consult a doctor, your doctor will suggest you only those drugs that may be suitable for you. This saves you from adverse side effects from a medication.

Currently, the FDA has approved 2 prescription drugs for weight loss viz. Reductil (sibutramine) and Xenical (orlistat). Let’s understand the functioning of these 2 anti-obesity drugs individually:

Reductil works as an appetite suppressant weight loss drug. Its active ingredient sibutramine works on the appetite-controlling centre of your brain. Reductil makes you feel full even though you may have eaten less than what you normally do. Further, Reductil also helps to control your craving for snacks in-between meals. Your calorie-input is drastically reduced, helping you lose weight gradually.

Xenical is one of the most prescribed anti-obesity drugs. It works as a fat absorption inhibitor weight loss drug. Xenical works in your digestive system to inhibit the absorption of up to 30% of the fat in your diet. The unabsorbed fat is then eliminated from your body through bowel movements. Your calorie input is reduced and this helps you achieve desired weight loss.

Both Xenical and Reductil do not claim to be a miracle cure for weight loss. These drugs will help you lose significant amount of weight only when you use them in conjunction with reduced calorie diet and regular physical exercise.