Image via Rent Cafe
Many of us take a second look at our diet after the holidays (maybe its from seeing our face and bodies in all of those holiday photos) and decide that it’s time to get in shape. It’s always a good time to get healthier so I fully support resolutions at any time that encourage people to eat better and be healthier.
But after the first few weeks of dieting and exercise we tend to lose motivation and start seeking quick fix solutions. That can be dangerous. Crash diets and diet pills aren’t good solutions for long term health. And yes, long term health is the sort of health that matters most!
A recent article drew my attention to the toxic components of diet pills and their side effects. Check this out:
The frightening thing is that the diet pills that work are usually working against you. Many pills, particularly those not approved by the FDA, can contain carcinogens that increase your risks of cancer as well as ingredients that can lead to heart attack, stroke, hormonal imbalances and mood swings that’ll keep anyone from wanting to be around you no matter how good you look.
Popular, dangerous diet pills ingredients include:
- Phenolphthalein- carcinogen, increases cancer risk
- Sibutramine- increases risk of heart attack and stroke
- Clenbuterol- increases risk of heart attack
- Lorcaserine- heart valve damage
- Antidepressants- varies hormone levels, affecting mood
It’s not worth slowly dying of cancer just to be a few pounds lighter–and it’s just a few pounds because pills don’t deliver drastic results. Nor is it worth dying of a heart attack or having mood swings, which will keep people from wanting to be around you no matter how thin and attractive you think you might look.
Bottom line: your health is worth the investment of eating healthy and exercising regularly. The end. *descending soap box*