Overwhelmed with too many choices in new diet products?

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the weight loss market and all the new diet products.  There are so many out there promising the same things: quick, visible results and a slimmer you.  Are these claims guaranteed, or are they just marketing ploys?  Can any of these new diet products really live up to their claims that you will become slimmer and more fit?

In the United States alone, there are more than 50 million people who attempt to lose weight - only about 5% are successful at any given time.  Why is this?  One thing to keep in mind, if you are part of the majority trying to lose weight is not to take anything at face value without the proper research.  Fraudulent claims are everywhere, and you need to remember that there is no magic involved in weight loss.

Some examples of new diet products in today’s market:

• The diet patch - this has been phased out since the 1990s since the FDA release information proving that they are ineffective.
• Magnetic diet pills - claims to flush out fat from the body, but does not work.
• Guar gum - causes unpleasant internal obstructions.
• Electrical muscle stimulators - claimed not only to reduce fat, but to build muscle…with no proven effect whatsoever.
• Eyeglasses that suppress appetite - a fad item that projected images over the retina to decrease appetite, all claims completely false.
• Weight loss earrings - supposed to suppress appetite through acupuncture, but with no proves results.

Those were temporary fad items that have mostly faded out of the market today.  But how about some that are still out there  and some of the new diet products?  Do they offer anything better than these one-hit wonders of the weight-loss world?

Diet drinks are a popular meal substitute, coming pre-mixed or as a powder added to water or other liquids.  Although many of these do work, the downside is that if you discontinue using them, you will likely gain the weight back that you lost.  Your hunger would increase and you would be at risk of overeating.

Some new diet products and diet supplements have proven effective, but do not work in the long-term.  Pills, for instance, are often composed of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride and can potentially raise your heart rate and cause heart palpitations.  Ephedra has even more serious risks associated with it, causing heart problems, seizures and possible death.

Here are some more quick facts about popular weight-loss programs:

• Herbalife Nutritional Program - you acn replace two meals a day with this system, but you have to rely on their shakes to fill you up.  If a shake isn’t good enough, you may over eat on junk food between meals
• Mega-Thin 100 Formula - claims to contain an anti-fat weapon as one of its ingredients, but because diet isn’t emphasized it must be an appetite suppressant, which can be dangerous
• Nestle’s Sweet Success - you are supposed to take this three times a day and see results, but it does not promote healthy habits and the effects will disappear once you stop the regimen
• Ultra SlimFast - although this recommends proper exercise, there are no healthy eating habits instilled
• Diet pills with Ephedra and PPA - the pills don’t really slim you down, it is the enclosed diet plan, which is not sustainable long-term and may induce negative side-effects
• Chitosan products - contain fibers taken from shellfish that can cause uncomfortable stomach problems, and will only work if a low-fat diet is pursued
• Chromium suppeiments - there are no benefits to these products that claim to reduce blood sugars, fat and cholesterol, but which really cause anemia and memory loss
• Green tea extract products - there are benefits to these products which have high anti-oxidant contents and lower cholesterol and triglycerides and promote weight loss, but beware of too much caffeine
• Algae tablets - these pricey products do work, but they will cost you a lot to maintain
• St. John’s Wort supplements - claims to suppress appetite naturally, but can cause stomach problems, sleeplessness and allergic reactions
• Glucomannan products - two capsules before each meal are said to decrease food absorption, but is not yet proven safe or effective

If you are planning on using some over the counter quick fix, new diet products for your weight loss program, be prepared to be disappointed unless you combine it with exercise and a smart and healthy diet.  Try to eat fruits and veggies, as many organic and natural products as possible, and reduce your overall calorie count if you really want to see results.