Weight loss pills offer a very tempting quick fix for losing weight. But just how effective are they? More importantly, are they safe? Your drug store shelves are filled with bottles full of promises of quick weight loss and glossy photos of super skinny models. How realistic are these claims though? When you are looking at the different brands of weight loss pills, it is important that you understand some of the more popular ingredients that make up some of the more popular supplements.

Bitter Orange

While it decreases appetite, bitter orange is considered to be an ephedra substitute meaning that it possibly brings with it many of the same health problems that ephedra does. Plus, the long term effects of using bitter orange are currently unknown.

Chitosan

This relatively safe supplement blocks the absorption of dietary fat, but is not a likely candidate to cause any significant weight loss. It may cause constipation, bloating and other gastrointestinal issues and its long term effects are unknown.

Chromium

There is no evidence to substantiate the weight loss claims and long term use remains unstudied, but chromium does reduce body fat and builds muscle. It is relatively safe, though.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

CLA reduces body fat while decreasing appetite while building muscle, but it can cause diarrhea, indigestion and other gastrointestinal issues. It may decrease body fat while increasing, though, but it is not likely that it will reduce your total body weight.

Country Mallow (heartleaf)

Country Mallow contains ephedra, making it possibly dangerous. It is considered to be somewhat unsafe and it is advised that it be avoided. It does, however, decrease the appetite and increase the number of calories that are burned.

Epedra

It was once considered to be one of the most effective weight loss pills on the market because it so was so highly effective in decreasing the appetite, ephedra does have its downside. It can cause high blood pressure, irregularities in heart rate, sleeplessness, heart attacks, stroke, seizures and even death. It was banned from the marketplace because of health and safety concerns but has returned to the market recently.

Green Tea Extract

While the evidence of green tea's effectiveness is limited, it is touted as a metabolism booster by increasing the calorie and fat burning while decreasing the appetite. However, it can cause vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea and bloating and may contain a fairly large amount of caffeine.

Guar Gum

Guar gum is said to block the absorption of dietary fat and make you feel fuller, leading to a decrease in caloric intake. It is considered to be safe, but studies show that it is not likely to cause any weight loss. It can cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, flatulence and other issues.

Hoodia

This highly popular weight loss pill is said to decrease appetite, but there is no conclusive evidence that will support this claim.

Some diet pills do work, but it is due more in part to the healthy diet and exercise that you should follow than the diet pill itself. Only you can decide if weight loss pills are good for you and your weight loss efforts.

There is more than one effective way of dieting; the question is which diet is the right one for you? To learn more about how to choose the right weight loss diet program check out these articles about weight loss plans in particular how to get fit through sustainable, but fast weight loss programs.

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AP - It's OK lutein 5% nutritional supplement eat all kinds of tomatoes again, the U.S. government declared Thursday - lifting its salmonella warning on the summer favorites amid signs that the record outbreak, while not over, may finally be slowing.

This is something you probably didn't know since studies on CLA and its gain muscle mass effect have been overlooked by the majority "experts" in bodybuilding communities. However, its results are very relevant to all athletes, for a number of reasons. I do not want to analyze them right now; I'll come to that in few minutes. Point I want to make clear is that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is very beneficial for all people serious about muscular development.

On first place, I speak about the study which is one of very few that has examined the effects of CLA supplementation incorporated with organized training program. Also, it utilized a group of resistance-trained participants. Using this protocol, the results obtained were remarkable. But even more surprising were conclusions of the published manuscript. Let me give you a brief rundown of the study and results so you can exactly see what did you missed until now.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of CLA supplementation on athletes undergoing resistance training program on strength gains, body composition and markers of muscle catabolism (breakdown). 79% participants were randomized to receive CLA (5 grams per day) or placebo for 9 weeks while training 3 days per week. Seventeen of the subjects then crossed over to the opposite group for an additional 9 weeks. All detailed test were completed before, and then at 9 and 18 weeks.

The major results came up after the first 9 weeks, the group given CLA demonstrated a significantly greater increase in lean mass (+1.4 vs +0.2 kg) and a much bigger reduction in fat mass (-0.8 vs +0.4 kg) compared to the placebo group. The group given CLA also showed a tiny but significant reduction in 3MH (a marker of muscle protein breakdown) in comparison to treatment with the placebo. Additionally, the male athletes who were taking CLA demonstrated significantly greater gains in bench press strength. That same effect happened in the second crossover part, CLA again showed a significant impact on 3MH and muscle catabolism.

Based on the findings, supplementation with CLA during resistance training clearly resulted in a significantly better improvement in body composition. CLA also clearly reduces the catabolic effect of training on muscle protein. This explains better gains in lean (muscle) mass obtained from CLA. However, I already pointed that these revolutionary findings have been ignored by most bodybuilding journalists. This is probably because of the conclusions similar to one made by the authors of this study. In the published manuscript the author's conclusions of the findings were quite different - subdued to say the least. Within the discussion section of this paper, the researchers concluded "...although the results were statistically significant, the changes in the CLA group were small, and one could question their clinical significance."

I was shocked by these comments, to say a least. Therefore I went through all the results again. The data was as clear as black and white. Let us just conclude few points.
-The group given CLA showed gain in lean mass that was 7 times bigger compared to placebo-treated group. Yes, 700% greater! Can you imagine?

-Whereas the placebo group gained almost half a kilogram of body fat, the CLA group lost almost a kilogram (2 pounds) of pure body fat.

-These differences were apparent after just nine weeks! The bottom line is, you hardly can have better results from these ones.

Now, despite facts the scientists suggested that these results are "of little relevance". How did they came to this conclusion I can not even start to imagine. Anybody can see the relevance and importance of these study results. A seven-fold greater gain in lean mass and a loss of almost one kilogram of body fat in 9 weeks is darn relevant. I'm sure that virtually any bodybuilder would agree with me. Off course we all need powerful exercise program in order to build up lean muscle. We make the things happen right there in the gym, sure we do. You can read and see hard rock facts about this from "how to gain muscle mass" report and video's. However, I steel wonder how anybody can neglect facts like this.

I'm sure you can decide for your self whether or not a 700% better gain in muscle mass combined with a one kilogram loss of body fat in just 9 weeks is "relevant" to you.

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