| The topic of weight loss is hot. People want to know | | | | transdermal administration technology appears to |
| how they can shed pounds and keep them off for | | | | work, look at Nicotine patches, for example. But it has |
| good. The downside of the weight loss boom is that | | | | not been evaluated by the FDA to be effective in |
| billions of dollars are spent each year on weight loss | | | | weight loss. |
| treatments that have not been adequately studied to | | | | Have you heard of seaweed diet and weight loss |
| substantiate the claims being made. | | | | soap? It's a Chinese soap that claims to firm, tone and |
| First, there are creams on the market that claim to | | | | contour the skin as well as eliminate the inner fat out |
| reduce cellulite and slim the thighs. The acids in these | | | | of the human body. How does it do this? The truth is, |
| creams are supposed to tighten the skin and pull | | | | we have no idea. The claim that the soap eliminates |
| collagen fibers back together. The creams claim to | | | | fat from the body has not been evaluated by the FDA |
| eliminate the "dimple" effect and contour the skin. | | | | and has not been adequately studied for |
| According to plastic surgeons and other medical | | | | effectiveness in weight loss. |
| experts, there is no cream that can burn fat or reduce | | | | What about body wraps? Spas claim that customers |
| the size of fat cells. Though creams may improve the | | | | will lose several inches in one session. Combine that |
| look of your skin, unless you change your diet and add | | | | with several more sessions and your body will shrink |
| exercise, the fat will remain. | | | | before your eyes. What is the easiest weight to lose? |
| Second, there's lipo-dissolve, which is sometimes called | | | | You guessed it-water weight. These stimulating wraps |
| injection lipolysis and frequently confused with | | | | will squeeze as much water out of you as they can. |
| mesotherapy. Lipo-dissolve usually involves the | | | | The kicker is that while you want to trim ten inches off |
| injection of drugs known as PCDC or | | | | your thighs, you may see a half or quarter of an inch |
| phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate, which | | | | reduction in each thigh. The ten inches comes from the |
| practitioners say 'melts away' fat. This injection fat | | | | minuscule losses everywhere else added together. |
| removal treatment has become exceedingly popular | | | | Diet pills have been a popular weight loss treatment |
| despite the Food and Drug Administration's statement | | | | for years. Many diet pills that claim to speed up |
| that, "these are unapproved drugs for unapproved | | | | metabolism contain ephedrine, which comes from the |
| uses" and the lack of controlled studies to prove the | | | | Ma Huang plant. Over time, these pills have been |
| safety and effectiveness of PCDC. In addition, several | | | | shown to cause heart problems in young patients. |
| medical societies have warned against the treatment. | | | | Other conditions, including increased heart rate and |
| In May 2007, the American Society of Aesthetic | | | | blood pressure were also noted. |
| Plastic Surgery warned patients against the use of | | | | Last, Hoodia is a known appetite suppressant that |
| injection fat loss treatments stating that none have | | | | comes from a plant called hoodia gordonii. The plant is |
| received FDA approval and there have been no | | | | only found in the Kalahari region of Africa. Companies |
| published peer-reviewed scientific reports of properly | | | | have tried to imitate its effects and are marketing |
| performed prospective clinical trials to confirm safety | | | | everything from gum to pills to drink mixes with hoodia |
| or efficacy. This is not an alternative to liposuction for | | | | derivatives. Read the fine print. Most of these diet pills |
| people that want to get rid of large amounts of fat. | | | | don't contain enough of the hoodia to suppress the |
| The injections are intended for small problem areas | | | | appetite. |
| that can't be changed by diet and exercise. Seriously | | | | When considering any type of weight loss treatment, |
| obese people are not candidates for lipo-dissolve. | | | | do your homework. You want to be sure that what |
| We've all heard of transdermal patches. They work | | | | you are buying is safe and effective and that you |
| by leeching medicine through the skin and into the | | | | aren't stuck in a position having spent sums of money |
| bloodstream over time. The technology has been used | | | | with no weight loss to show for it. Second, watch out |
| for contraceptives, nausea, and smokers trying to kick | | | | for treatments that claim rapid, easy, and quick results. |
| the nicotine habit. Now, they say it can be applied to | | | | Healthy weight loss is anything but fast. Keep your |
| weight loss. | | | | expectations about weight loss realistic. You can't |
| The claims are that this patch, worn behind the ear, | | | | expect to lose 15 pounds in 2 weeks by taking |
| can cause you to lose weight. It speeds up your | | | | appetite suppressants. Healthy weight loss involves a |
| metabolism and suppresses the appetite, The | | | | balance between proper diet and exercise. |