Appetite Suppressants: Effect, Uses & Risks

Who has struggled unsuccessfully through various diets, often sees in the intake of appetite suppressants his last chance to slim figure. But the “weight loss pills” are controversial. What preparations are there, and what alternatives exist?

What are appetite suppressants?

Appetite suppressants do not themselves break down fat, but they do ensure a lower intake of food. From the basic idea, they are designed for very overweight people. Hunger and the feeling of satiety are subject to complicated and extensive mechanisms that take place in the human brain and have not yet been researched to the last detail. However, it has been proven that it is possible to convey the signal “full” or “no appetite” to the brain via pharmaceuticals, i.e. drugs. Appetite suppressants are therefore drugs that manipulate the hunger center in the brain via certain neurotransmitters. At the same time, they usually convey a kind of feeling of happiness or mood high. This can lead to increased activity, which burns a few calories via a stoked metabolism and thus supports weight reduction somewhat. However, the effect is small. Appetite suppressants do not themselves break down fat, but they do ensure lower food intake. From the basic idea, they are designed for very overweight people.

Medical application, effect and use

Obesity, or extreme overweight, is considered a medical condition. Obesity can cause a number of secondary diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, bone and joint damage. So if weight reduction is medically necessary, there are three prescription drugs (appetite suppressants) available in Germany that can be used under medical supervision. The effect can be achieved on the one hand by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, thus triggering feelings of satiety, or on the other hand by inhibiting the fat-digesting enzymes in the small intestine, as a result of which the food fat is excreted undigested. This then saves calories while the amount of food remains the same. Amphetamines, which also require a prescription, and ephedrine-containing drugs also act like appetite suppressants. Appetite suppressants are often prescribed by doctors as an introduction to a change in diet. However, they are not suitable for permanent use. By the way, satiety can also be achieved by swelling agents and dietary fibers – but here it is a “real” feeling of satiety, because the stomach is filled with preparations swollen by liquid intake. These are not appetite suppressants, but so-called “slimming products“, which also include fat burners, laxatives, diuretics (draining agents) and slimming teas.

Herbal, natural and pharmaceutical appetite suppressants.

Going beyond the strict, “medical” concept of appetite suppressant, other forms of appetite suppressants can be identified besides the pharmaceutical drug. Namely, there are herbal, natural and homeopathic remedies that have an appetite suppressant effect. Non-prescription appetite suppressants either contain the same active ingredients as the prescription ones, but in lower dosages, or they are purely herbal or naturally produced products such as 5-HTP (a form of the amino acid tryptophan, obtained from the medicinal plant Griffonia). Homeopathy uses the Madar plant, specifically the dried root bark, which is said to reduce appetite in the hunger-satiety center. It is administered in the form of globules (sugar pellets as a carrier of the active ingredient). However, especially against moderate overweight, really natural appetite suppressants are recommended: foods that quickly and persistently satiate, fill the stomach well or fuel the metabolism. A glass of water before each meal is calorie-free and works just as well as a bulking agent. Eggs, lentils, tomatoes, Jerusalem artichokes or apples have an appetite suppressing effect due to their natural ingredients. Hot spices like chili improve fat burning.

Risks and side effects

Especially pharmaceutical (chemical) appetite suppressants, but also amphetamines and ephedrines can have strong to very strong side effects. From mucosal dryness to palpitations, dizziness, sleep disturbances, blood pressure increase, impotence, nausea and restlessness to fatty stools, flatulence and fecal incontinence, the range of undesirable and sometimes dangerous side effects of taking appetite suppressants is enormously broad. Some agents also carry a potential for addiction, as they act in a similar way to psychotropic drugs (antidepressants).Therefore, various preparations are banned on the German market, others require a prescription and must be taken under medical supervision. Even herbal preparations are not automatically “harmless”, but can have side effects and interactions with other means. In addition, dietary changes and necessary exercise leading to permanent weight loss are not encouraged.