Weight Loss Drugs Produce Only Minimal Weight Loss, Even After Taking Them for Years

(NaturalNews) Weight loss drugs may result only in minor weight loss, even after long-term use, according to a new study conducted by Brazilian and Canadian researchers and published in the British Medical Journal. Researchers conducted meta-analyses of a number of studies conducted on the weight-loss drugs orlistat (marketed as Xenical and Alli), rimonabant (marketed as Acomplia) and sibutramine (marketed as Meridia), and found that users lost an average of less than 11 pounds, even after one to four years of use. Several key indicators of cardiovascular health were improved by taking the drugs, however. Researchers examined 16 studies on orlistat, which operates by preventing the body from digesting fats. The average long-term user of orlistat lost only 7 pounds and had reduced diabetes risk, blood pressure and cholesterol. As many as 30 percent of users experienced digestive side effects. Ten tests on sibutramine were also examined, along with four on rimonabant. Both drugs work by interrupting neural signals in the brain. Sibutramine was found to reduce patients’ weight by an average of only 9 pounds. In up to 20 percent of patients, however, it induced side effects including insomnia, nausea, and elevated blood pressure and pulse. Rimonabant users lost an average of 11 pounds. Six percent of users experienced an elevated rate of mood disorders, however. After receiving reports of psychiatric side effects such as anxiety and depression, the FDA refused to approve rimonabant for U.S. sale last year. Orlistat, in contrast, is approved for over-the-counter sale in a weakened form (Alli). The move to sell weight loss drugs over the counter has drawn substantial criticism, including in an editorial accompanying the recent study. “Selling anti-obesity drugs over the counter will perpetuate the myth that obesity can be fixed simply by popping a pill,” Dr. Gareth Williams of the University of Bristol wrote.

90 Percent of Parents Want to Know More About Alternative Medicine, Survey Reveals

(NaturalNews) Ninety percent of parents would like to know more about alternative medical approaches for their children, according to a survey conducted by Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota (Children’s), a nationwide leader in integrative medical approaches. Integrative medicine combines traditional Western medicine with medical therapies from other traditions, including acupuncture, massage and nutrition. The survey also found that 90 percent of parents have a strong desire to eliminate their children’s pain and improve their quality of life, while 85 percent would like to minimize their dependence on drugs. Parents felt especially strongly about reducing drug treatment for mood or behavioral problems such as anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sixty-eight percent of parents believed that integrative treatment could be effective, and more than 75 percent said that hospitals should offer experts on both conventional and alternative treatments. Yet only 12 percent of parents surveyed had ever spoken to their child’s doctor about the possibility of alternative or integrative medical treatments. “Many children with chronic or acute health conditions seek a complementary or integrative approach only after they have exhausted all other conventional treatment options,” said Timothy Culbert of Children’s. “Parents should be aware that integrative medicine can be helpful from the onset of disease and can save time, money and most importantly, improve a child’s quality of life. This is true for all kinds of conditions including acute illnesses like cancer or chronic problems like migraines or behavioral issues.” Among parents of children with serious health issues, 42 percent had more knowledge of integrative medicine than others in the survey. Yet nearly two-thirds had still never considered integrative medicine due to insufficient familiarity with the subject. “Parents need to consult and work with their child’s physician to determine what integrative medicine options are available that may be helpful,” Culbert said. “There are so many different kinds of complementary therapies, it’s important to learn about options to find an approach that will work best for each patient. I see first-hand every day the difference it can make in a child’s life.” Ninety-five percent of parents whose children had undergone integrative treatment reported a positive experience. Sources for this story include: www.reuters.com.