Diet Medications

Diet Medications

Drugs to suppress the appetite, to speed the metabolism, or even to reduce fat from being absorbed in the intestine are making their way into medicine cabinets. For example, Redux, a pill that suppresses the appetite with amphetamine like action has commanded hundreds of millions of dollars of sales in America.

Xenical, a drug that inhibits the enzyme lipase which breaks down lipids, is poised to enter the mainstream weight reduction market in North America. Taken with meals it prevents up to 30% of ingested fat from entering the intestine and later the bloodstream. By reducing absorption less fat is available for energy or storage in the body's fat depots.

Are these drugs desirable and safe? In the short term yes, but in the long run we do not know Many questions remain unanswered:

Is our dependence on weight control unhealthy physically and psychologically?

Over the years how do these drugs affect fat soluble vitamins and other agents that move with fat into our body?

How is our sense of control and self esteem affected?

What happens when we stop taking the drugs?

It is too early to really know. When possible, control of body weight through exercise and natural nutritional means, as well as a healthy dose of self acceptance, is clearly more desirable.

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