The dangers of diet pills must never be underestimated.

These drugs either inhibit the usual appetite or limit body fat by burning it.

Before starting a weight-loss plan with diet pills, you should:

• obtain medical approval;
• settle realistic weight goals. Losing more than two pounds weekly is not healthy for the metabolism.
• start a regular physical-exercise plan;
• be aware of your eating program and keep it under control.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these four steps should be followed while slimming in a healthy, gradual way. Dangers of diet pills are shown as follows:

1. Heart problems and the risk of strokes. Arrhythmia, heart valve lesions, high or fluctuating blood pressure usually occur while taking diet pills with ephedrine. Fortunately, the dangers of the Ephedra are almost non-existent, as the Ephedrine diet pill is no longer widely available. Even the most popular diet pills nowadays involve risks. The danger of Zantrex 3 comes from its huge dose of caffeine which can cause heart problems. The safety of Meridia is under suspicion because of too many drug interactions.
2. Allergies. The following case is frequently cited. An 18-year old woman reported to a Utah hospital only two days after she had started to take Hydroxycut. Although the supplement was labeled ephedra-free (and hence less dangerous), the woman had an allergic reaction. She also admitted she was taking a very low dose of Allegra and a topical facial antibiotic while dieting with Hydroxycut.
3. Addiction issues. Without exception, diet pills induce dependence of one kind or another, followed by unpleasant withdrawal effects. A few diet pills create addiction. Addiction to Ephedra severely disrupts metabolism. Metabolic disorders are usually severe and long-term.
4. The yo-yo effect occurs quite often after finishing the six-to-12-week diet. (Twelve weeks is the maximum.) This period must include:
   • increased physical activity (aerobic and weight training program to burn calories) and
   • therapy for overweight behavior (regular meals, many fibers, moderate carbs and low fat diet).

Usually the slimming process is easily reversed. More pounds than before will be added.

Diet pills can cause additional health effects, problems with teeth, for instance. A warning from the American Academy of General Dentistry says that using appetite suppressants to lose weight may seriously endanger teeth. A recent article stated that diet pills are responsible for modifying the salivary flow and for a drying mouth. Since the natural defense for teeth is saliva, a decrease causes cavities and gum disease.