Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
placeholder article
placeholder article

The Truth About Diet Pills

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Quinnipiac chapter.

 

We all seem to indulge in more unhealthy foods than usual when the holidays come around. But if you are trying to shake off some extra weight this year and want to do it fast, how would you do it? Is it safe to try dietary supplements?

The first thing every girl needs to know about diet pills is that they are not magic pills! You won’t see any results unless you make sure you’re eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. Also, everybody is different. So certain people might have success more quickly than others.

Alli is the first over the counter weight-loss drug to be approved by the FDA. Before heading to your local CVS or Walgreens, you might want to know the positives and negatives of using a drug like this.

Basically, what Alli does is block the absorption of fat. Since it is the only FDA approved over the counter diet pill, many experts say it is safe and effective—that is, if it is used correctly.

Because blocked fat passes out of your body, Alli can cause diarrhea, gas, oily spotting, and cramping. These side effects worsen with fatty meals, so consider this a warning to not cheat on your diet! Eating healthy foods and reducing your fat intake while taking this supplement will definitely keep you from having to run to the bathroom.

On the other hand, pills like QuickTrim, promoted by the Kardashians, are more dangerous and are not FDA approved. There’s no scientific evidence to support the claims that QuickTrim can help you lose weight fast. The supplements range from powdered drinks to pills, and they are designed to detoxify the body by eliminating bloating and water weight.

Diet pills like these are especially dangerous because of the excessive amounts of caffeine in them. Too much caffeine can cause blood pressure and pulse to increase and can ultimately end in a heart attack.

Many people refer to diet pills as a “quick fix.” In a lot of cases, when someone loses weight from a diet pill, once they go off the pill they quickly gain the weight right back. That’s why it’s important to keep eating healthy and working out. Nothing is more effective than that!

So remember, just because Kim Kardashian says it’ll work, doesn’t mean it is safe for you! If you want to invest in the FDA approved Alli, a starter kit includes a food journal, healthy eating guide, and 60 capsules of the pill. It generally costs about $50. 

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar
Jenna Doleh

Quinnipiac

Print journalism major at Quinnipiac