Doha: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) yesterday warned against the use of dietary supplements as a weight loss tool. Weight loss pills, flat tummy teas and teatoxes could lead to serious health complications, says an wellness expert.
Dr Veronica Bachiller, Wellness Coordinator, Health Promotion and Wellness Department at PHCC says that whilst it is extremely beneficial to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle through healthy diet and physical activity, many people are influenced to try out unhealthy quick fixes that at times, can be dangerous and cause harm to health.
“Among the various available quick fixes, some of the most popular methods are weight loss pills, flat tummy teas, teatoxes and detox diets. Most of them have taken the Internet by storm, so it is understandable some people believe these are healthy and common practiced options,” she said.
According to Dr Bachiller some weight loss pills can cause dangerous conditions such as a heart attack and strokes.
“There is a huge misconception about weight loss pills. People have been convinced these are healthy treatments (or ‘natural’ ones!). This however is not true as they suppress appetite whilst affecting blood sugar levels. Some tablets such as slim fizz and other ‘fat metabolisers’ contain caffeine and taurine which evidence shows, can cause heart attacks and strokes. Other serious side effects include headaches, dry mouth, anorexia, insomnia and constipation,” she said.
Also flat tummy teas and teatoxes are among the highly endorsed products on the Internet with some celebrities claiming to have used it as part of their weight loss plan.
“Research shows that there are extreme side effects to this such as damage to the stomach lining, intense body pain, severe dehydration, diarrhoea and many other laxative and diuretic effects. It may also contain caffeine that could cause additional side effects in people who are sensitive to stimulants,” said Dr Bachiller.
She further says that detox diets also dangerous to health. “Ketogenic diets are very popular nowadays. Everybody wants to be involved and committed to this and other detox diets. These diets are extremely dangerous as involve a ‘low carb-high fat’ intake; however due to the large amount of fibre within the diet it leads to severe digestion issues. Body fat usage side effects could be loss of energy, electrolytes and consequent cramps,” said Dr Bachiller.
She also advised against physical inactivity and prolonged sitting time and said that it can lead to illness. “It can cause muscle atrophy, cardiac decline, increased visceral fat, mood swings with episodes of overeating, perpetuating the cycle of sedentary lifestyle and weight gain or weight retention,” she said.
