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Get the Facts – Free Articles and Free Reports on Eating Disorders, Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating

Whether you’re looking for information on eating disorders for someone you’re concerned about – or that person of concern is you – here you’ll find more than a dozen free articles and free reports on anorexia, bulimia and binge eating (also known as compulsive overeating).

Subjects discussed in the free articles and free reports on eating disorders provided below include anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating definitions, symptoms, causes and statistics.

Knowing the truth about eating disorders is the most important step an anorexic, bulimic or binge eater can take in getting on the road to recovery. This comprehensive collection of information on anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder is a great place to start – free articles and free reports compiled by The Center for people with eating disorders, and those who love them.

| A Short List of Warning Signs for Eating Disorders |
| Characteristics of Those Who Develop Food-Related Problems |
| Symptoms of Bulimia/Anorexia | Characteristics of Those with Bulimia |
| What Is  A Compulsive Eater? |
| Physical Symptoms of Eating Disorders |
 | Behavioral Characteristics | Emotional Characteristics |
| What Causes Eating Disorders |
| How To Stop Abusing Laxatives |
| Laxative Abuse: Myths and Medical Complications |
| Things To Do Instead of Bingeing |
| Eating Disorder Statistics |
| Eating Disorders and Dental Problems|

Dangers of Various Diets
  

Reports on Helping Others with Eating Disorders,
Losing Weight Permanently and Nutrition

| News Articles on Eating Disorders |
| News Articles on Weight Loss |
| Eating Disorder Resources |
| Eating Disorder Treatment |
| Eating Disorder Discussion Board |

| Articles/Reports Home Page | Download Articles/Reports  |

 

A Short List of Salient Warning Signs For Eating Disorders

Michael Levine, Ph.D. Presented at the 13th National NED0 Conference, Columbus, Ohio, October 3, 1994

(1) Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, and dieting, to the extent that it consistently intrudes on conversations and interferes with other activities.

(2) Excessive, rigid, exercise regimen—despite weather, fatigue, illness, and injury, the need to "burn off’ calories taken in.

(3) Withdrawal from, or avoidance of, numerous activities because of weight and shape concerns.

(4) Expressions of anxiety about being fat which do not diminish as weight is lost.

(5) Evidence of self-induced (often secretive) vomiting, such as:
Bathroom smells or messes,

Rushing to the bathroom immediately after a meal and returning with bloodshot eyes,

Swelling of the submandibular glands to yield a "chipmunk" facial appearance.

(6) Evidence (e.g., wrappers, advertisements, coupons) of use of laxatives, diuretics, purgatives, enemas, or emetics.

(7) Evidence of binge-eating, including hoarding and/or stealing food, or consumption of huge amounts of food inconsistent with the person’s weight.

(8) Alternating periods of severely restrictive dieting and overeating; these phasic fluctuations may be accompanied by dramatic weight fluctuations of 10 pounds or more.

(9) Inexplicable problems with menstruation and/or fertility.

(10) Extreme concern about appearance as a defining feature of self-esteem, often accompanied by dichotomous, perfectionist thinking (e.g., either I am "thin and good" or "gross and bad").

(11) Paleness and complaints (evidence) of lightheadedness or disequilibrium not accounted for by other medical problems.

Characteristics of Those Who Develop Food-Related Problems

1. Often grew up as Perfectionists.

a) high expectations from father, either verbalized or not
b) often first-borns

2. Mother has a history of dieting.

a) a lot of focus put on weight and appearance

3. Grew up in a home where father was "emotionally distant".

a) desire to please father
b) attempts to gain father's approval

4. Often times had a mother that was a co-dependent.

a) Father may have been an addict

5. Homes with very strict (overly so) discipline, where punishment was severe and physical.

6. Parents who used Guilt/Shame as a method to discipline or punishment.

7. Homes in which sexuality was not discussed or treated in a "dirty" manner.

8. Fathers who used daughters to complain about mother.

9. Homes in which children were forced to be adults.

a) daughters who "raised" other kids.
b) not allowed to be kids

10. Those who have been sexually abused.

a) including fondling
b) including incest

11. Those who have been the victims of any type.

a) neglect
b) verbal abuse

12. Those with Biochemical imbalances.

a) brain allergies
b) hypoglycemia
c) PMS

13. Addictions to diets and dieting.

a) compulsive dieting
b) fasting
c) diuretic use
d) laxative abuse
e) prescription drug abuse

14. Desire to OVERPLEASE.

a) overcontrol through people-pleasing

15. Tendency to ignore or deny anger.

16. Overuse food for pleasure or reward.

a) food becomes the main focus for pleasure

Bulimia/Anorexia Symptoms

 

BULIMIA
ANOREXIA

Anorexia, or self-starvation, is a disease and it can be fatal if left untreated. Recognition of its symptoms can be the first step toward saving yourself or someone you love from this dangerous disease.

The following is a list of the observable symptoms:

 

CHARACTERISTICS COMMON TO 90% OF BULIMICS

Bulimia generally includes any of the following:

  • A cycle of bingeing and purging
  • Prone to substance abuse
  • Diuretic abuse
  • Vitamin abuse
  • Shoplifting
  • Suicidal thinking
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Likely previous rape or sexual abuse
  • Vomiting
  • Laxative abuse
  • Fasting
  • Rigid dieting
  • Secret/deceptive eating

 

1. Tend to hide and bottle up feelings - especially anger
2. Hypersensitive to criticism, though have a critical spirit themselves
3. Shame to control self and others
4. Impulsive in thought and action
5. Has great difficulty with intimacy, both sexual and emotional
6. Obsession with weight, though tend not to be extremely overweight
7. Addicted to the scale
8. Tend to have very strong need for other's approval, but feels as though they never get it
9. Very secretive, deal with very high amounts of guilt
10. Obsessive in thought about physical body
11. Believes that God disapproves of them
12. Tremendous physical exhaustion
13. PMS tendency, irregular periods
14. Dizziness, headaches, constant thirst
15. Digestive disturbances, extreme, bloated
16. Electrolyte imbalance resulting in muscular weakness
17. Dental problems
18. A life of extremes in relationships, spirituality, and emotions
19. Chronic low self-esteem
20. Disturbed metabolism.

What works in treatment?

1. Whole person approach
2. Non-diet approach
3. Self-esteem retraining
4. Nutritional reeducation
5. Spiritual renewal
6. Relationship enhancement
7. Identity development

What is a Compulsive Eater?
Fifteen Tendencies Often Present

1. Loneliness in all relationships
a) Inability to experience intimacy

2. Presence of fear of authority figures or being controlled by another person
a) Difficulty in maintaining a "sense of self".

3. Possible history of abuse
a) Neglect of emotional needs
b) Verbal Abuse (overt or covert)
c) Sexual Abuse

4. Early "rejection" of the opposite sex

5. If a male Compulsive Overeater, possible over-identification with mother
a) Over-involved emotionally

6. Tendency towards "Social Anxiety"
a) Tend to isolate and use food as a "friend"
b) After social situations, relieve anxiety by bingeing or overeating

7. A history of "diet failures"

8 . Preference for food instead of other activities
a) Food is friend
b) Food is hobby

9. History of Guilt/Shame
a) Parents used guilt as a form of control
b) Life filled with "shoulds", "oughts", "always" and "nevers"

10. Possible other addictions
a) Sugar
b) Prescription Drugs
c) Alcohol
d) Sex

11. A long-term, unhappy marriage or other significant relationship
a) Food becomes a point of intimacy instead of spouse
b) Food to cope with conflict
c) Food to fill a void

12. Long-standing relationship difficulties
a) Avoidance of conflict

13. Difficulty dealing with Anger
a) Internalization of anger
b) Ends in resentment

14. "Loving Heart" has been damaged (hurt)
a) The compassionate heart is buried, though still present

15. Hunger for acceptance and love

PARTIAL LISTING OF PHYSICAL PROBLEMS BROUGHT ABOUT BY EATING DISORDERS

  EXTERNAL PROBLEMS INTERNAL PROBLEMS CAUSE
SKIN Dryness

 

Fine Rash

Pimples

 Dehydration Reduced fluid intake Excessive fluid elimination

Frequent vomiting

Laxative abuse
SALIVARY GLANDS Swelling

Pain

Tenderness

 Possible Infection Frequent vomiting
CONSTIPATION   Insufficient material
Insufficient fluid		 Failure to take in or retain sufficient food and
fluid
EDEMA

(water retention)

 Swelling and puffiness more frequently ankles and feet Electrolyte imbalance? Perhaps general systems
problems<		 Malnutrition
Frequent vomiting
Excessive laxatives or
diuretics
BLOATING Swelling over stomach or abdominal area Electrolyte imbalance?
Time required for body system to adjust?		 Long periods of starvation and probable excessive vomiting, laxatives or diuretics
ABDOMINAL PAIN   Peptides? Hunger pangs? Failure to identify hunger?

Emotional attitudes?

Insufficient Intake
FEELING OF
FULLNESS/EMPTINESS		     Fear?

Emotional attitudes
TEETH Frequent caries

Frequent caries plus erosion of enamel

   Inadequate diet

Frequent vomiting or
regurgitation. Diet limited to citrus fruits, abnormal carbohydrate intake
AMENHORRHEA No menstrual period Inability to produce hormones Lack of body fat. Rigorous athletic training, emotional attitudes, sometimes gorging/purging

Behavioral Characteristics

Anorexic patients see their restricted caloric intake as a very brave and arduous thing to do. They tend to prize challenges over comfort. By contrast, bulimic patients view their behaviors as shameful and disgusting. In order to recover, patients need help learning to understand the connection between their beliefs about themselves and their eating disorder behaviors. They often view themselves with such hatred that they feel deserving of the painful eating disorder behavior. They need to see that their eating disordered behavior is not an achievement, hut avoidance of true life challenges; not distinctive, hut simply stereotypic. They need to realize their behavior does not clarify their life, but confuses it; and they need to see that the disorder does not serve higher goals, but actually blocks the realization of those goals. The individual suffering from destructive eating disorder behavior must begin to challenge a negative mindset and learn to create and allow positive feelings and thoughts about themselves.

 

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa
Bingeing and Food Control

Excessive dieting, food control, and fasting. Collects recipes, and likes to cook/bake, but sometimes refuses to eat with family. Tension at mealtime, Fear of food; avoidance of consumption.

 

Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g. within any 2 hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances. Fear of inability to stop eating voluntarily (bingeing), a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating
 
Purging

Compulsive exercising. Fasting

 

Compulsive exercising. Vomiting, laxative, diuretic, or diet pill abuse; or use of other emetics ( syrup of ipecac).
Eating Behavior
Food ritual; calorie counting, rigid rules and schedules.

Secretive food foraging and hoarding, especially at night. Shoplifting and or petty stealing of money to buy binge food.
 
Sleeping Behavior
Insomnia and early morning awakening.
Various sleep disturbances
Clothing and Dressing Rituals

Frequent weighing, layering of clothes.

Other obsessive-compulsive patterns, such as trying on clothes five times a day.
 
Social Behavior

Social withdrawal, physically and emotionally. Focus on job and or school work.

Social irregularities, alternating withdrawal with erratic need for social contact and approval. Chaotic relationships and interaction.
 
Abusive Behavior

Slow suicidal progression. Self hatred and feeling of unworthiness
Drug and/or alcohol abuse. Suicidal gestures or attempts. Self-hatred and self-mutilation. Feelings of self-disgust.
 

Emotional and Cognitive Characteristics

Individuals suffering from eating disorders have restricted emotions and often cannot identify their feelings. What they are aware of is extremely negative thoughts related to their body - an effective diversion from their emotional turmoil and pain. Their thoughts are obsessively locked onto the Irrelevant and their feelings are avoided and hidden, even from themselves.

 

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa
Body Image Problems
Intense fear of becoming fat. Distorted body image.

Preoccupation with appearance and "image".
 
Perfectionist Behavior

Perfectionist: thinnest, smartest, neatest. Dichotomous thinking: all or nothing, black or white.

 

Perfectionist: high performance and achievement expectations. Perfectionist inside, but sometimes chaotic outside. Facade of normalcy, seemingly "got it together".
 
Self-Esteem

Depression and low sense of self-worth

Low self-esteem: self-loathing, self disgust, and depression.
 
Sexuality
Decreased interest in sex.

May be promiscuous or confused about sexuality, a mask for a desire to he accepted and respected.
 
Social Behavior

Self-centered and non-social, isolation from others, irritable.

 

Constant feeling of being out of control; vacillates between isolation and extreme need for external validation.
 
Cognitive Symptoms

Difficulty thinking clearly, potential severe cognitive deficits due to malnourishment.

 

Inability to accurately identify and express feelings. Out of touch with one's feelings, (e.g. anger, affection, humor). Thoughts obsessive and focused on the eating disorder cycle.
 

Adapted from Mary Pabst, MSW, Maryland Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia (MANA) from Panhellenic Task Force

WHAT CAUSES EATING DISORDERS

"Why don't you just stop?" This is the question with which people with eating disorders are confronted again and again by parents, spouses, friends, and themselves. Costly experiences with programs promising an end to the food behaviors once and for all frequently lead to brief abstinence followed by devastating resumption of old and familiar patterns. Regardless of whether the person starves, binges, binges and purges, abuses laxatives, compulsively overeats, gains weight, or loses weight the story of a roller coaster experience with behavior changes is all too common. Until the behaviors in an eating disorder are viewed as the symptoms rather than the problem the focus of recovery remains in the wrong place, and the person is likely to experience limited success in attempts to recover.

Most people have great difficulty understanding the function of the behaviors in an eating disorder. Why would someone starve herself to the point of death, as often happens in anorexia nervosa? Why would someone binge and then induce vomiting or painful diarrhea, as happens in bulimia nervosa? Why would someone eat so much that her stomach hurts so badly that all she can do is lie down and fall asleep, as often happens for compulsive overeaters? Why would someone maintain a body weight that is so high that she is physically uncomfortable and potentially endangering her health, as often happens in obesity?

There is rarely a simple explanation for an eating disorder. It is an extremely complex problem and may be caused by a number of factors, which may include family and cultural pressures. Eating disorders may also occur as a result of psychological and interpersonal factors. Feelings of inadequacy, depression, anxiety and loneliness, difficult family and personal relationships may all play a part.

Frequently the person who has an eating disorder outwardly appears to be managing life very well. She is also a person who feels she would look better if she lost some weight, which means she could be virtually anyone in our society. At some point in that person's life there is an event or a series of occurrences and situations which symbolizes one or more of the following seven scenarios.

1. A Single Traumatic Event:

This is an occurrence that causes extreme emotional pain for a person. Another person may have minimal difficulty facing the same situation, but for this person the pain is too intense, and she doesn't know what to do with it. Examples of such an event include death of a close relative or friend, divorce of a parent, leaving home for the first time, rape, abortion, rejection in a relationship, divorce, first sexual experience, or a degrading comment.

2. A Two- to Three-Year Period of Unusual Stress or Pain:

This person would have been able to manage adequately had only one thing happened, but too much happened too fast, and the and the stress/pain level became too great. An example of this would be the person who leaves home for the first time, has her first sexual experience, is rejected in a relationship, and her mother dies, all within a two- to three-year period.

3. An Extended Period of Emotional Pain:

The person has lived in a painful situation for a period of years and finally reaches the point where she can no longer tolerate the pain. Examples include growing up in an alcoholic family, growing up with physical, sexual or emotional abuse, and living in an unhappy marriage.

4. The Onset of a Mood Disorder

All of a sudden, the person begins to experience depression or mood swings at a level of intensity she has never before experienced. She is not able to control the feelings because they are due to bio-chemical changes. Usually, the person does not understand what is happening, feels scared and out of control, and does not know how to or is afraid to ask for help.

5. Having Been a Very Sensitive Child:

This is a case of a very sensitive child growing up in a family in which there was emotional pain that was not acknowledged or discussed. The family outwardly appeared to be "perfect" and problem-free. Frequently, the family is very religious and spends a significant amount of time attending church or synagogue activities. The source of the family's pain is often very subtle, thus difficult to identify. This child acted like a sponge for the pain and absorbed it, but did not know what to do with it after that.

6. A Controlling Environment:

The person either grows up in, or marries into a situation in which she has a relationship with a parent or spouse who is a very controlling person. The only way she is able to survive is by giving up her own identity while trying to please the other person. Finally, she reaches a point where she finds this too painful and is no longer willing to do it any more, but does not know how to change.

7. Lack of Validation of Feelings:

The people with eating disorders who have the most difficulty identifying a "reason" why they developed an eating disorder are those who grew up in families and/or married into relationships in which there was no overt abuse or problem but rather a very subtle undermining of self-esteem. The person whom this describes is someone who repeatedly experienced lack of validation of her thoughts or feelings. She was given the message that she shouldn't feel that way, or that it was wrong to feel that way, or that she was selfish to feel that way. Since she did feel that way, the only explanation she could find as a child was that she must be bad or crazy. Over time, she learned to direct her negative emotions inwardly or to take them out on herself, since direct expression was not allowed.

The common thread in all seven scenarios is that a person is experiencing emotional pain at a level of intensity that she does not know how to manage in a healthy way, mainly because she did not learn to express feelings directly while growing up. Many families are not able to model or teach how to express feelings in a way that promotes closeness, support, or resolution of conflict. So when a person who grew up lacking these skills experiences intense emotional pain she lacks the tools to talk about it or to ask for support.

It is at this point that something very significant happens. The person begins to focus upon her body or food, looking outside rather than inside for the source and solution to the emotional pain. Once this starts, the person travels one of two paths. Following the first path she begins to eat and finds food a source of comfort and nurturing. Food is consistent, reliable, and always there. It is something to look forward to coming home to at the end of the day as well as something to which to turn to when alone and scared. The person finds that when she eats, the pain does not hurt quite so much. This person is vulnerable to becoming overweight or obese due to compulsive eating.

Following the second path, the person begins to restrict food intake or to binge and purge and starts to lose weight. As she loses weight, people make comments like "Oh, you look so good! You've lost weight!" In a world that is very painful, suddenly there is something that feels good, brings positive attention, and is within her control. The person finds that the more she focuses on counting calories, exercising, dieting, losing weight, or purging, the less she feels the emotional pain. This person is vulnerable to developing anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

Portions of this article are reprinted from Eating Disorders: Nutrition Therapy in the Recovery Process (1990) by Dan Reiff and Kim Reiff phD of Mercer Island, WA published by Aspen Publishers, Inc. Aspen, Co.

How to Stop Abusing Laxatives

People who abuse laxatives often find themselves in a no-win situation. They use laxatives to "feel thin," which is an immediate, positive result. Eventually, however, the exact opposite occurs. They find themselves "feeling fat" from excessive water retention-a delayed, negative result. Here are some steps to stop abusing laxatives:

1. Stop taking laxatives right now, and do not take any more unless your physician instructs you to do so. Remember that stimulant-type laxatives are especially harmful to the body.

2. Drink at least 6 to 10 cups of water (and decaffeinated beverages-not caffeinated beverages because they act like a diuretic, promoting loss of fluid) a day. Restricting your fluid intake at this time promotes dehydration and only worsens the constipation.

3. Including some physical activity in your regular daily pattern can also help to regulate your bowel function, although you should discuss the intensity and type of activity first with your health care provider or therapist. Too much or too vigorous exercise can worsen constipation, due to the effects on your metabolism and fluid balance.

4. Eat regularly. It is important that you spread the amount of food recommended to you on your meal plan across at least 3 meals a day, and to eat these meals at regular intervals.

5. Eat more foods that promote normal bowel movements. The healthiest dietary approach to promoting normal bowel function is to eat more whole-grain breads, cereals, and crackers and wheat bran or foods with wheat bran added. This dietary approach should be done in tandem with drinking more fluids. Vegetables and fruits also contribute to normal bowel function. Prunes and prune juice are not recommended because the ingredient in prunes that promotes bowel movements is actually an irritant laxative, and long-term use of prunes and prune juice can result in the same problem as long-term use of laxatives.

6. Write down the frequency of your bowel movements on a sheet of paper. If you are constipated for more than 3 days, call your physician, dietitian, or psychotherapist.

What to Expect from Laxative Withdrawal

There is no way to predict exactly how stopping laxatives will affect you. For example, the amount or length of time laxatives have been used is not an indicator of how severe the withdrawal symptoms will be. The best way to lessen the unpleasant effects of laxative withdrawal is to prepare yourself for these effects and to develop an action plan for coping in case the unpleasant side effects do occur.

Common side effects of laxative withdrawal are:

Just reading this list, you can see that laxative withdrawal is especially difficult for people with eating disorders. You already are highly reactive to "feeling far and the symptoms of laxative withdrawal only worsen this feeling. To help you get through the process of laxative withdrawal, it is essential to remember that any weight gain associated with laxative withdrawal is only temporary. Symptoms of laxative withdrawal do not lead to permanent weight gain.

How long will laxative withdrawal last? This varies greatly. A few people have these symptoms for 2 days; a few others have had them for 2 to 3 months. Most people have symptoms of laxative abuse for 1 to 3 weeks after stopping laxatives.
Eating Disorders Review PO Box 2238 Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 756-7533

Laxative Abuse: Myths and Medical Complications

MYTH: If you induce diarrhea with laxatives, you can the absorption of food and limit weight gain.

FACT: Inducing diarrhea by laxatives does not significantly change the absorption of food in the body. Consequently, laxatives do not significantly prevent weight gain. What appears to be weight loss is actually dehydration or water deprivation. Laxatives work near the end of the bowel, where they primarily affect absorption of water and electrolytes (like sodium and potassium). They thus work after most of the nutrients from the food have been absorbed into the body.

MYTH: You need to use a laxative every time you feel constipated.

FACT: "Feeling" constipated does not necessarily mean that you are constipated. This is especially true of people who have problems with eating. Eating too little food or eating sporadically can result in the sensation of constipation. In this case the problem is not constipation but poor eating habits.

MYTH: When you actually are constipated, you need to use a laxative.

FACT: People who use excessive amounts of laxatives will eventually find the exact opposite happening-the laxatives will cause reflex constipation.

MYTH: All laxatives are alike.

FACT: There are many different types of laxatives that are taken by mouth or as a suppository. The ones most commonly used are:
Stimulant-type laxatives, including Ex-Laxâ , Correctolâ , Senokotâ , Ducolaxâ , Feen-a Mintâ , and some of the so-called herbal laxatives.

Osmotic-type laxatives, including Milk of Magnesia

Bulk agents, including Metamucilâ , Colaceâ , and unprocessed bran. Bulk agents promote bowel movement. When bulk agents are used as directed (with large amounts of water), they don't have the same physical effects on the bowel as the stimulant and osmotic laxatives. However, when these bulk agents are misused, they have the same psychological consequences as regular laxatives. Misusing these agents must be discontinued.

MYTH: Laxatives, particularly over-the-counter products, are safe.

FACT: Laxative abuse can be medically dangerous. Laxative abuse is defined as (1) use of laxative for weight control, or ( 2 ) frequent use of laxatives over an extended period of time.

Medical Complications of Laxative Abuse

The medical complications of laxative abuse depend on several factors, including the type of laxatives used, the amount used, and how long they have been used. Some of the more common complications of laxative abuse:

Constipation. Repeated use of laxatives actually causes constipation. This may lead people to increase the dosage of the amount of laxative, which in turn only worsens the constipation problem.

Dehydration. Laxatives cause fluid loss through the intestines. Dehydration then impairs body functioning.

Electrolyte abnormalities. Many people who abuse laxatives often demonstrate electrolyte imbalances. Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and chloride are important to life functions. With chronic diarrhea, electrolytes are drawn of the body through the feces. This leads to an electrolyte imbalance in the body.

Edema. As noted before, laxatives cause fluid loss. Dramatic changes or fluctuations in fluid balance confuse the body's self-regulating protective mechanisms by retaining fluid. As a result, prolonged laxative abuse frequently leads to fluid retention or edema.

Bleeding. People who abuse laxatives, especially the stimulant-type laxatives, can develop blood in their stools. Chronic blood loss associated with laxative abuse can lead to anemia.

Impaired bowel function. People who abuse stimulant-type laxatives can develop permanent impairment of bowel function.
Eating Disorders Review PO Box 2238 Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 756-7533 This handout may be reproduced.

Things To Do Instead Of Bingeing

Eating Disorder Statistics

Dangers of Various Diets

Nonprescription Products for Weight Loss
Numerous nonprescription products for weight loss are available at drugstores, supermarkets, and over the Internet. Many of these have never been proven effective and those that are effective often come with warnings. For example, many diet pills promote water loss from the body and may lead to dehydration or loss of essential minerals.

Nonprescription appetite suppressants often work by making you hungry less often.

FDA bans ephedra

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the sale of ephedra because of concerns about safety. The product has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and some deaths.

Ephedra and ephedrine—the active ingredient in ephedra—decrease appetite by increasing metabolic rate.

Some people use water-loss pills (diuretics, such as Aqua-Ban) to lose weight. However, these pills only get rid of water and do not reduce the amount of fat in your body. Using water pills this way is not recommended and can be dangerous.

Food combination diets for weight loss
Food combination diets such as the Zone are based on the idea that certain combinations of food will help a person lose weight. The Zone Diet was developed by Dr. Barry Sears to achieve an optimal metabolic state by reducing calories and eating the appropriate balance of proper sources of carbohydrate, protein, and fat to control levels of insulin. These diets may cause weight loss, but that is because they are low in calories, not because of a combination of foods. They are very hard to follow over time.

There is no scientific evidence that particular food combinations are needed to lose weight.

Rapid weight-loss diets
A very low-calorie diet (less than 1,000 calories a day) that causes rapid weight loss negatively affects your body in several ways:

Rapid weight-loss diets are harmful to your health, unless you are monitored closely by a doctor. Don't use such a diet without talking with your doctor first. If you need to lose weight, it is better to lose weight slowly. You will be more likely to lose the weight safely and keep it off.

Low-carbohydrate diets for weight loss (Like Atkins)
Low-carbohydrate diets are based on the idea that eating a lot of carbohydrates, such as pasta, bread, rice, cereal, fruits, and starchy vegetables, causes weight gain. These diets are usually high in protein and fat.

The appeal of low-carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins diet, is rapid weight loss in the first few days. However, most of the initial weight loss is water. Once you add carbohydrates back into your diet, your body will again retain water.

Over the long term, however, low-carbohydrate diets also result in a more gradual weight loss because they contain fewer calories. Recent research on low-carbohydrate diets shows that it isn't the reduction in carbohydrates that causes the weight loss; instead, it is due to decrease in calories.

Two new studies confirm those findings, suggesting that:

Both studies also found that the low-carbohydrate diets may have a positive effect on levels of certain fats in the blood—triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL, "good") cholesterol. Some people participating in the studies did have a increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL, "bad") cholesterol levels, however.

One of the studies lasted 6 months; the other lasted 1 year. People in the 6-month study were either mildly or moderately obese and had high levels of LDL cholesterol or triglycerides but were otherwise healthy..

Findings of the 6-month study included:

The 1-year study of low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diets included people who were severely obese. Most had diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Findings included: 3

The American Dietetic Association and American Heart Association do not recommend low-carbohydrate diets. People who have serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, should talk to their doctors before starting a low-carbohydrate diet.

Because low-carbohydrate diets cause the accumulation of ketones, they may cause the abnormal metabolism of insulin, impaired liver and kidney function, and salt and water depletion. Also, low-carbohydrate diets usually are high in fat and protein, which can lead to impaired kidney function, constipation, and fatigue.1

Also, the American Heart Association does not recommend low-carbohydrate diets because they often restrict healthful foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and do not provide essential vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Although research shows these diets may not be harmful for a short time (1 year), researchers believe more studies are needed. There are, however, long-term studies that show the health benefits of eating plant foods that are high in carbohydrates.

The American Dietetic Association recommends choosing complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, and beans because they provide a large variety of nutrients and fiber. Simple carbohydrates, such as sweets and soda, are high in calories, provide few nutrients, and should be limited in any diet.

If you are pregnant, do not go on a low-carbohydrate diet because it can be harmful to your fetus.

Bravata DM, et al. (2003). Efficacy and safety of low-carbohydrate diets: A systematic review. JAMA, 289 (14): 1837–1850.

Yancy WS, et al. (2004). A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-fat diet to treat obesity and hyperlipidemia. Annals of Internal Medicine, 140 (10): 769–779.

Stern L, et al. (2004). The effects of low-carbohydrate versus conventional weight loss diets in severely obese adults: One-year follow-up of a randomized trial.

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This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.