Nowadays the consumer market is flooded with diet pills, plans and supplements, so much so that chosing a diet plan or course of action requires careful consideration. When embarking on any diet programme it is important to consider the good effects as well as bad side effects. Sadly enough there are many diet products out there that pose dangerous consequences to the user's health.

Dangerous obesity drugs like dexfenfluramine, Fenfluramine, Sibutramine decrease appetite by affecting serotonin levels in the brain but increases the users risk of high blood pressure and heart desease according to a study done at Colorado University and Middlesex Polytenic

The FDA continues to caution the public against the consumption of a variety of drugs and dietary supplements. Two examples of such products are Emagrece slim Dietary Supplement (brazilian Diet Pill) and Herbathin Dietary Supplement which contain several active ingredients, including controlled substances, found in some prescription drugs that could lead to serious side effects and injury.

In 1992 the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) banned over 111 ingredients included in OTC (over the counter) diet products. these included amino acids, cellulose, and grapefruit extract after manufacturers were unable to prove that they work. A number of products containing guar gum were recalled. Guar gum causes the stomach to swell providing a feeling of fullness but had serious side effects of causing stomach and throat blockage.

Further on in 1996 The FDA proposed warings against the consumption of OTC diet pills containing Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) also found in cough-cold allergy products. The FDA was concerned that PPA may increase the risk of a type of stroke (hemorrhage) caused by bleeding in the brain as was suggested by some reports of bleedeing in the brain by PPA users, particularly young women.

Then there are the low carb diets like The Atkins diet (Atkins involves the restriction of carbohydrates in order to switch the body's metabolism from burning glucose to burning fat (chiefly, stored fat)) that seem harmless enough but some health Officials remain skeptical about it. In May 2004 The "Annals Of Internal Medicine Study " show Atkins dieters had significantly more diarrhea, general weakness, rashes and muscle cramps. Also acidity from high protein consumption can result in osteoporosis and as suggested by Dr. Robert Eckel concerning low carbohydrate diets Severe heart desease.

In conlusion I would like to caution anyone considering a course of action which involves dietary supplements, treatments or plans to do as much research as possible, the internet is packed with information regarding such things. It is also a good idea to consult your physician on these matters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexfenfluramine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenfluramine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibutramine
www.fsa.gov/bbs/topics/news/2006/new01298
www.aboutephedra.com/ephedra/ephedra-products/ephedra-dangers.html
http://www.thomasjmoore.com/pages/dietary_main.shtml