Diet pills contain one or more ingredients that have some effect on the weight of the body, whether it is to suppress the appetite or to speed up the metabolism. There are several common ingredients that are found in many different diet pills and dietary supplements, and each of these will have specific effects and side effects that any dieter should know. These include Chitosan, Ephedra, also known as Ma Huang, Chromium, Bitter Orange or Citrus Aurantium, Caffeine, Yerba Mate, Guarana, Garcinia Cambogia, Pyruvate, Plantago Psyllium, Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA, and HMB, also known as Hydroxymethylbutyrate.

Plantago Psyllium, HMB, And CLA

HMB is the byproduct when leucine, an amino acid, is broken down naturally in the body. Body builders take this ingredient to build up muscle mass, and this supplement is also believed to decrease the amount of body fat when taking during weight lifting and training. Few studies have been done on this supplement, and none of these studies included obese or overweight individuals, so it is impossible to tell whether it is effective or not for weight loss scientifically. Planto Psyllium is a fiber that is water soluble and derived from Plantago Ovato seeds. This supplement may work like fiber drinks and help with a full feeling, but it has not been shown to increase or promote weight loss. CLA is found in nature in beef and dairy foods, and there has been some preliminary studies which show it may be effective, but there have been no long term conclusive studies involving human subjects. The few short term studies have shown some effect on increasing muscle mass and decreasing body fat, so this supplement may be worth a try.

Garcina Cambogia, Guarana, And Pyruvate

Garcina Cambogia is a fruit, and the supplement by this name is extracted from the rind. This supplement contains a component called Hydroxycitric Acid, and this extract is supposed to control the intake of food, affect the storage of extra calories as fat in the body, and stop weight gain. Studies have shown none of these effects however, so this would should usually be avoided. Guarana plant seeds are used for the supplement with this name, and these seeds contain high amounts of caffeine. This herb can work as a mild appetite supplement, but caution should be used because of the amount of caffeine included. Pyruvate is touted as the answer to stimulating the metabolism, reducing body fat, and losing weight. Studies have shown a mild effect when the supplement is taken in very high doses, but the experts say this ingredient does not help with weight loss at normal supplement levels.

Yerba Mate, Chitosan, Chromium, And Bitter Orange

Yerba Mate is an herb that is used in tea, and it contains very high amounts of caffeine. This herbal diet supplement can help short term weight loss in some cases, but the weight may come back when the diet is finished. Chitosan is a supplement made from shellfish shells, such as lobster and shrimp. Studies show that this indigestible fiber does not help with weight loss, and the claims that this supplement binds with food to prevent absorption have not been verified. Chromium is used to boost lean muscle mass and lower body fat, but the studies are divided on this supplement. Some studies show that a dose of between two hundred and four hundred micro grams of chromium picolinate may have the result of losing two and a half pounds per week in some individuals, while other studies show no difference whether this supplement s used or not. Bitter Orange naturally contains synephrine, which is like ephedrine, and has been used to replace ephedra since the ban. This supplement has not been shown to help weight loss, but it does raise blood pressure in people who take it, so be careful with this supplement.

Ephedra, Ma Huang and Caffeine

These three supplements should be avoided. Ephedra and Ma Huang are the same product and can have serious side effects. Ephedra and Ma Huang are banned for sale in the US by the FDA. Since most countries still allow Ephedra to be produced, it is readily available online. Any Ephedra purchased online will be made in a foreign country with possibly little or no oversight. The quality, safety and effectiveness of these products may be questionable, and you may be risking your health by using them.

Caffeine is a very common drug that most of us consume on a daily basis. The problem with caffeine in diet pills is that many manufactures use excessive amounts that can cause very unpleasant and even dangerous side effects. They use caffeine because it is cheap and can give you a boost that you attribute to your metabolism being sped up. A small amount of caffeine in a diet pill is probably OK for most people, but avoid products with excessive amounts.