|
Meal
substitutes
When used as substitutes for regular meals, meal
substitutes are a convenient way to reduce calories
as part of a low calorie diet plan. A typical meal
substitute available in powder and liquid form is
Slim-Fast. Ensure is another meal substitute
available in both liquid and bars. Meal substitutes
should provide protein and be low in fat and
calories. The label should include the amount of
calories per serving and the percentages of protein,
carbohydrates, and fat. The total number of calories
per serving is predetermined so it is easier to keep
track of the daily consumption of calories.
Artificial sweeteners
Saccharin (Sweet 'N Low)
and aspartame (Equal) are sugar substitutes that
provide little or no calories. They may be used as a
substitute for table sugar. Using saccharin instead
of a teaspoonful of sugar eliminates 33 calories
from the diet. People with phenylketonuria
(a serious genetic disease in
which an individual is unable to break-down and
eliminate an amino acid, phenylalanine)
should not use aspartame because it contains
phenylalanine. Fructose, sorbitol and xylitol may be
used as alternatives to sugar, but they provide more
calories than saccharin and aspartame. Excessive use
of sorbitol also may cause diarrhea.
Over-the-Counter (OTC)
weight-loss products
Despite claims by manufacturers, the use of OTC
products alone does not cause weight loss. Herbal
weight loss products or preparations called
"fat burners"
are even more misleading. These products may
contain a combination of ma huang (a botanical
source of ephedrine), white willow
(a source of salicin),
and/or guarana or kola nut (a
source of caffeine). These agents are
stimulants, which theoretically increase the
metabolism and help the body break down fat.
Nevertheless, there is no evidence that they are
effective for weight loss. In addition, ma huang
has been linked to serious side effects such as
heart attacks, seizures, and death. Chromium also
is a popular ingredient in weight loss products,
but there is no evidence that chromium has any
effect on weight loss.
Weight loss teas contain strong botanical
laxatives (Senna, cascara
sagrada) and diuretics (Rhamnus purshiana)
cause diarrhea and loss of water from the body.
Diarrhea and water loss lead to the depletion of
sodium, potassium and can lead to dehydration.
Although an individuals weight may decrease, the
loss is fluid and is only temporary. Moreover, low
sodium and potassium levels may cause abnormal
heartbeats and can even lead to death.
Guar gum preparations have also been promoted as
a weight loss agent. Guar gum thought to work by
leading to a feeling of fullness early in the
meal. It has not been scientifically proven, and
has been associated with abdominal pain, gas and
diarrhea.
All of the OTC products discussed above are not
considered drugs and are therefore not regulated
by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). As a result,
there is little information on their effectiveness
or safety.
Phenylpropanolamine
The United States FDA in November 6, 2000 took
steps to remove phenylpropanolamine
(PPA) from all drug
products and requested that all drug companies
discontinue marketing products containing
phenylpropanolamine. The FDA issued a public health
advisory concerning the risk of hemorrhagic stroke,
or bleeding into the brain, associated with
phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride. For more
information about the FDA Advisory, please read the
Doctor's View, FDA Issues Public Health Warning on
Phenylpropanolamine |
