The Dangers Of Diet Aids
About a month ago, I stepped onto my bathroom scales. When I looked down at the numbers, my fears were confirmed: I had gained 5 pounds. Overcome with a desire to shed this unwanted extra weight, I decided to join millions of Americans just like me, and buy some sort of diet aid to help me along. I had no idea what to look for, what to avoid, and possible side effects, so I began to research the different types of diet aids, both chemical and herbal, and was hit with some very disturbing facts.
It has been estimated that nearly 10 million women in the U.S. buy over-the-counter diet aids.(Cottrell, 99) Diet aids come in the form of pills, tablets, capsules, powders, milkshakes, herbal ...
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They are also commonly found in other drugs such as Speed, Crystal, White Crosses, 357 Magnums, Black Beauties, Crank, Ice, and Meth, most of which are illegal.(Cottrell, 99) Amphetamines increase heart and breathing rates and blood pressure, and dilate pupils. Users can also
experience a dry mouth, sweating, headache, blurred vision, dizziness,
sleeplessness, and anxiety.(Cottrell, 100) Extremely high doses can cause usersto flush or become pale; they can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of coordination and even physical collapse.(Cottrell, 101) Toxic psychosis, delusional thinking and even death can also occur. Long-term heavy use of amphetamines can lead to malnutrition, skin disorders, ulcers, and various diseases that come from vitamin deficiencies.(Cottrell, 101) Lack of sleep,
weight loss, and depression also result from regular use. When people stop using amphetamines abruptly, they may experience fatigue, long periods of sleep, irritability, ...
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a time and to never be used if another medication -- such as cold medicine -- containing PPA is being taken.(Cottrell,101)
Many people are under the misconception that “natural” diet aids are better to use than chemical. Often their side effects can be just as harmful. Natural diet aids suppress the appetite by filling the user up with a mixture of grain and citrus fiber, making her feel full.(Cottrell, 101) Potentially dangerous herbal diet aids contain ephedra, also known as ma huang.(Fraser, 62) Ma huang, especially in combination with caffeine, can drive up blood pressure or cause seizures or strokes and has been implicated in more than two dozen deaths.(Fraser, 66) ...
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"The Dangers Of Diet Aids." Essayworld.com. April 7, 2005. Accessed April 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Dangers-Of-Diet-Aids/24936.
"The Dangers Of Diet Aids." Essayworld.com. April 7, 2005. Accessed April 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Dangers-Of-Diet-Aids/24936.
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