Weight loss products are a hot item on the market today. People want to look good and enjoy vibrant health. It is natural to want to try the product that promises to give the fastest results. There are many OTC and super pills claiming to do just that. The fact is however, there is no quick magical way to lose weight. Exercise, limiting calories, and a healthy diet are the best way to lose those extra pounds and keep them off.

A low calorie diet is essential for losing weight. This remains true even if you take a diet pill. It is not feasible to depend on a pill long term to control your weight.

Here is some of the top diet pills currently discussed in the news:

Clenbuterol
Alli
Xenical
Ephedra
Ma Huang
Bitter orange
Hoodia

Clenbuterol
You may have heard about the Size Zero pill in the news. This is a nickname for the drug Clenbuteral, a pill used to treat asthma in horses. Celebrities are using this horse pill to achieve the starved, hollow eye look that appears to be the trend now. It is approved by the FDA for horses but is unsafe for human use. This wonder drug will suppress appetite for up to nine hours. It also causes body temperature to rise and increases heart rate, making blood pump faster throughout the body. This drug is obviously not a safe way to lose weight.

Alli
Alli weight loss tablets are a product that burns or blocks fat. It is an OTC fat blocker used for weight loss. The FDA approves it for human use. Weight gain is caused by eating foods containing too many calories or fat. Alli takes up to 25% of the fat you consume and stops it from being digested. This fat leaves the body naturally; it does not remain in your body to put on extra weight. This is an effective means for losing weight.

Failure to follow Allis 15 gms of fat per meal may cause some uncomfortable side effects such as gas, loose bowel movements, discharge or other problems associated with digestion.

Many common foods contain more than 15 gms of fat. Following Allis fat restrictions may prove difficult for some.

Xenical
Xenical can be compared to Alli, they are both comparable in effectiveness and follow much the same diet plan.

Ephedra
Once found in weight loss products and dietary supplements, ephedra is now banned due to health and safety concerns. Regardless of the ban many products containing ephedra can be found for sale online.

Ephedra is banned for use by professional athletes due to health concerns. It was once widely used by athletes to increase performance.

Ma Huang
This product is banned in the USA as it is nothing more than ephedra under a Chinese name.

Bitter Orange
An ephedra replacement according to marketers, this OTC preparation claims to burn up a large number of calories in order to speed weight loss. Like ephedra it may cause health problems and its effects are not know.

Hoodia
This is claimed to be a natural appetite suppressant. It is an extract from a plant growing in the deserts of South Africa. It is similar to a cactus plant. There is no evidence that this preparation is safe for use. The FDA does not approve it.