Losing weight is a focus for many of us. In fact, a global survey found that four in ten Britons are trying to shed those extra pounds, especially women.
Achieving a healthy weight is often a positive lifestyle change but this has led to a rise of controversial weight loss methods such as injections and medications.
Recent studies show that some online pharmacies in the UK have been dispatching slimming jabs to patients who had a healthy BMI. Some individuals experienced side effects such as nausea and fatigue.
This has prompted demands for stronger health checks when it comes to weight loss prescriptions and the ethics behind these treatments.
So, are weight loss medications safe to use? And are they actually an effective way to drop down a clothes size and stay healthy?
What are the safety concerns?
Worldwide health institutions like the WHO have issued safety warnings about the overuse of weight loss pills. While we are safe to order prescriptions from online pharmacies, these medications must be used alongside a healthy regime of nutritional food and exercise.
This is due to some concerning symptoms that can arise when your metabolism speeds up and your appetite is suppressed.
This includes high blood pressure, insomnia, bloating, and even lung and heart problems. Some diet pills are not safe for teenagers to use and can have addictive effects.
There is also the risk that available medications are not only mislabelled but are contaminated with controlled substances and other stimulants. Health organisations, therefore, advise users to be aware of these risks and to purchase their supplements from trusted and certified suppliers.
Who is weight loss treatment for?
Not everyone is suitable for medicated weight loss and there is a precise selection criterion to keep users safe. Patients with specific medical histories, comorbidities, mental conditions, and medications will not be eligible for this treatment. For example, people suffering from eating disorders won’t qualify for weight loss treatment.
For most patients, weight loss supplements are prescribed when their BMIs have exceeded 30 or more, classing them as clinically obese. Some medications can be taken when your BMI is at 27 or 28.
How effective is the treatment?
Pairing prescription weight-loss medications with dedicated lifestyle changes can lead to an impressive reduction in weight. Used over a period of 12 weeks, you can shed 3% to 12% of your total body weight compared to just lifestyle changes alone.
It is essential that patients remember that their weight loss supplements need to be consumed as part of a healthy and balanced diet. When taken by themselves, you are unlikely to see any long-term effects from your treatment.