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Diet Pills No Fast Track To Weight Loss

by Thilaka Ravi on Apr 16 2009 5:09 PM

A fertility specialist has proved how little evidence is there to back up the claims of many diet products, by showing that even a placebo can make seven out of 10 persons lose weight.

A fertility specialist based at St Mary's Hospital in London has proved how little evidence there is to back up the claims of many diet products, by showing that even a placebo can make seven out of 10 persons lose weight.

Professor Lesley Regan tested the pill, costing just pennies to make from ingredients found in any kitchen, as part of a TV show that lifts the lid on the diet and supplement industry.

Regan showed that volunteers testing the dummy pill lost up to half a stone in six weeks, without such unpleasant side effects as are associated with the medicines available over the counter.

Those trying the pill were asked to take it three times a day before eating, to stick to a healthy diet, and keep active.

These are the same routine advices that are given with most weight-loss aids.

One Cassie Basham, a 39-year-old mother-of-four from Newmarket, Suffolk, weighed 14st 7lb when she signed up for the study.

She admits that she was desperate to try the pill.

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"We were told the pill would reduce the fat molecules in our body. I was still eating my normal food, but a little bit less of it," the Sun quoted her as saying.

"I never felt hungry and didn't get the urge to snack on crisps or biscuits," she added.

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She revealed that she lost 7lb, dropping a dress size in the six-week trial, and she is presently down to 13st 5lb.

"I was stunned when I found out the pill was simply a placebo. It genuinely reduced my appetite," she admitted.

Prof Regan says: "There are so many products packaged around a 'magic ingredient' that is supposed to have special weight-loss powers. There is no quick fix. The key to sustained weight loss is eating the right things, taking enough exercise and increasing your metabolic activity in little ways."

Source-ANI
THK


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