Article: Before purchasing any weight loss pill over the counter, spend some time researching that supplement online. Find reliable sources of information that can provide you with the benefits, disadvantages and any possible side effects or dangers of the supplement you're interested in. Studies completed by the company itself or recommendations from celebrities, magazines, or newspapers generally are not reliable. There are some websites and government sites that offer extensive information on vitamin, mineral, herbal and weight loss supplements. They include all unbiased, reliable research that has been done on the supplements they have listed. Most over-the-counter diet pills will advertise some sort of weight loss claim. It's important to understand these claims are not regulated by the FDA and may be false. Be aware of "clinically proven" claims on supplements. The supplement company should provide supporting evidence to this claim. If there is no supporting information or studies only completed by the company itself, it's important to realize this may be a false claim. Also be aware of unsafe, unreliable products. They will have claims such as "lose 10 pounds in one week" or "24 hour diet." These are generally unsafe supplements. All medications, even prescription medications, come with a list of possible side effects. While they may be rare, it's important to be aware of exactly how a medication or supplement could affect you. Read all information on possible side effects prior to taking any medication or over the counter diet pill. Note that some ingredients of many weight loss pills are not well studied and side effects are not well known. For example, bitter orange is known as an "ephedra substitute" and may be associated with similar negative side effects.Take extreme caution when ingesting diet pills.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Research the supplement online. Reliable, trustworthy sources of information include government websites, scientific peer reviewed research journals, or hospital/clinic websites. Read the weight loss claim. Read about possible side effects.