Is It Safe to Use Appetite Suppressants?

It might be safe to take appetite suppressants depending on their nature, and whether they are medically recommended. Many suppressants can easily be abused, creating problems. Whether billed as natural or not, nutritionists and doctors usually cast a wary eye at the appetite suppressant industry and only recommend them to people with significant weight issues who are under a doctor’s care.

There are many different appetite suppressants available and it’s hard to consider them all at once in the context of the word “safe.” Those available at local drug stores are principally made up of ingredients like caffeine, and in small doses, these may not be that dangerous. They are approved by organizations like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provided they are taken according to package directions. People don’t always follow directions and may use them for longer than recommended or may use higher amounts for greater suppression.

In contrast, there are appetite suppressants that are called herbal or natural. Unlike the drug store appetite suppressant, organizations like the FDA don’t evaluate the herbal or natural type for safety or efficacy. Occasionally, the FDA has to pull substances, like ephedra, from the market because this weight loss drug turned out to be dangerous. The issue of efficacy and safety remains nebulous and most herbal products don’t receive the same type of scrutiny or testing as over-the-counter drugs or prescribed substances. In this light, it is impossible to determine whether an appetite suppressant of the natural type can be safe.

Doctors, nutritionists and other health and fitness experts tend to recommend that people don’t take appetite suppressants of any type. They do concede that some people might benefit from their use when they are extremely challenged trying to lose weight. Under these circumstances, experts will most often advise prescription only suppressants and they make this process safer by checking in with patients to be certain a suppressant is well-tolerated. There are no safety-checks like this in place for people who just buy at a health food store or pharmacy.

What is perhaps most advisable is discussion with a physician on what products could be reasonably deemed safe for each individual. Individuals can have different medical conditions or requirements that would suggest some appetite suppressants shouldn’t be used, while others would be safe to try. For almost total safety, just about anyone can try a few appetite suppressing tricks that may be as effective as any pill.

The first of these is to drink a large glass of water prior to meal consumption. Aim for 10-12 ounces (.296-.354 l), about 10-15 minutes before eating because this much water imparts a feeling of fullness that may make people feel less hungry. Another tip is to start a meal with a large low-fat salad or a handful of carrots. These add virtually no calories, but they help kickstart the body’s feeling of being satisfied and cut down on food consumption during the rest of the meal.