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In recent years, the proposal of supplements for the weight loss, especially on the web, which boast miraculous properties of extracted mixtures of active ingredients often accompanied by the adjective “natural”And delivered comfortably at home.
A very delicate issue for which the Ministry of Health has published some recommendationspecific ions, made necessary because they are supplements aimed at a fragile public, often made up of those who have tried various different ways of diets for weight loss without obtaining an appreciable result.
“On the market – explains the Dr. Susanna Bramante, nutrition consultant – we find products among the most disparate: they range from those to increase muscle mass in those who do sport, or to make up for any food shortages, especially in particularly critical phases such as pregnancy or pathological states that cause difficulties in the absorption of nutrients, to those for burn fat and lose weight “.
In fact, experts advise, to lose weight in a healthy way it is important to pursue a correct and physiological weight loss in the appropriate time and manner. We must therefore be careful not to emphasize the role of supplements for weight loss because, at the state of affairs – the experts of Crea write in the latest Guidelines for healthy eating (rev. 2018) – there is no product that can be a shortcut to weight loss.
What they contain
“Those for lose weight – says Dr. Bramante – they contain substances that stimulate the thermogenesis to speed up the metabolism or burn excess fat faster, just to name a few of the hottest ones today, but you can really find everything on the market ”.
Then there are the dietetic products intended to completely replace the daily food ration with an energy intake between 800 and 1200 Kcal. Being, however, products of free sale, as stated in the Guidelines for healthy eating, completely circumvent the doctor’s vigilance and do not favor changes in eating behavior and lifestyle to protect the consumer. The Ministry of Health, to emphasize that these products must not be used lightly and do not border on a reckless do-it-yourself, imposes a warning of etiquette on the importance of consulting your doctor and not exceeding a treatment time of three weeks.
Do they really work?
“Supplements in general can work when used appropriately, correctly following what is written on the label and if there is really a need to use them, as in the case of restrictive vegan diets, presence of particular pathologies, malnutrition, malabsorption, hospitalization etc… ”, says Dr. Bramante. “A healthy person who already follows a complete diet and one healthy and active lifestyle, can do very well without it, with considerable economic savings, as the food we eat is already able to give us everything our body needs. The supplement thus becomes a more that gives the illusion of greater well-being, but in reality there is a real risk of exceeding the doses of some components already supplied sufficiently through food. Or, in the case of supplements for weight loss, the risk of the body getting used to it is high anorectic substances contents that interfere with the metabolism and, once you stop taking them, you go back to gaining weight more than before, obtaining the opposite effect “.
Side effects
“Weight loss supplements that contain the most diverse substances, such as laxatives, diuretics, fibers, thermogenic, even natural in appearance such as caffeine e guarana, they can have side effects such as tremors, tachycardia, anxiety, depression, irritability, dangerous decrease in appetite up to very serious health consequences ”, warns Dr. Bramante. “However, there is talk of a rare but real risk. Attention also to the possible interference with drugs, so it is always better to talk to your doctor ”.
Can we trust the ‘miracle’ supplements sold on the web?
“It depends. First of all say ‘miraculous‘there is nothing – says the expert – so I would not trust those who define their supplements with this name. Online sales is a channel that has recently developed exponentially offering many advantages, but to trust it you need to evaluate who the seller is. We only buy from well-known sites as well reliable, which are in possession of all the approvals required by law and duly authorized by the Ministry of Health “.
How to use them consciously
“First of all there must be a real need for use, preferably behind it advice from your doctor, it is always wise to seek advice before starting with any supplement, even those that seem apparently harmless or ‘natural’. In the case of obesity serious, weight loss supplements may be supportive, but you need your doctor’s approval and guidance and should never replace a good diet or diet.physical activity, the only truly effective methods to lose weight in health ”, explains Dr. Bramante.
“We are wary of those who promise to lose many kilos quickly without sacrifices. We always read carefully the label, we never exceed the doses indicate and immediately suspend the administration at the first symptom of something wrong, informing your doctor. We avoid the ‘do it yourself’ that can have real health risks, we do not make the mistake of thinking that the supplement can replace food and we always remember that a complete diet of all foods and a good level of physical activity is more than enough to guarantee us a healthy life ”, concludes the expert.
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