The idea of being able to buy something at a local store, popping it in one’s mouth, and shedding weight sound like a dream come true for many Americans. While many companies are peddling weight loss pills that offer such results, the idea remains little more than a dream. A September 5 article in the Huffington Post, written by Duke University Professor Allen Frances, warns against the uselessness of buying and trying the laundry list of diet pills that are on the market. According to Frances, currently, “weight control with drugs remain an illusion.” But why is that? The article goes on to explain how hunger and eating are both psychological and physical traits. The human body is designed to acquire as much energy through sustenance as possible, and diet pills trying to fight that are fighting instinct and evolution. This is why, according to Frances, weight loss medication generally fails, especially in the long run. The professor’s evaluation of weight loss medication aligns with scientific research on the topic. A study done by the University of California Davis of 2,800 individuals trying to lose 30 pounds found diet pills to be effective only four percent of the time. In addition to the inefficiency of dieting supplements in losing weight, weight loss drugs are often accompanied by adverse side effects. In fact, the FDA has a lower standard for approving diet pills than other types of medication, meaning these pills can often be unhealthy on top of ineffective. So what’s the solution? Frances says the best weight loss plan or procedure is something a person can commit to. Also, the plan should feature dieting and typically exercise and not rely on popping an over the counter pill.
