In today's hustle-bustle world of lottery tickets and quick fixes, it's no wonder the notion of diet pills is ever-appealing. Lose weight fast? Where do we sign up?
However, are diet pills actually doing anything? Pay attention as we analyze 6 Myths (and Facts) About Weight-Loss Supplements.

Hoodia suppresses appetite:
False.
Hoodia boasted as an appetite suppressant hasn't been tested in humans. Research suggests, though, that animals that have had P57, the active ingredient in Hoodia, injected into their brains eat less. But it's anyone's guess as to whether or not this effect is replicated when humans take hoodia capsules.

A weight-loss supplement can replace dieting and exercise:
False.
Look at any diet pill label and it will tell you that in addition to taking this little "helper," a healthy diet and an exercise routine must be adhered to.

Green-tea supplements burn fat:
False. Kind of.
Green tea contains a slew of caffeine that will cause you to burn calories, as it will get you up and moving. However, downing a great deal of it will not result in significant or lasting weight loss. And for those sensitive to caffeine, avoiding this supplement altogether is in your best interest as too much can affect heart rhythm and disturb your sleep.

Bitter orange is a safe substitute for ephedra:
Nope.
While bitter orange sounds more organic and therefore healthier for you, it contains synephrine, which is similar to ephedrine (the primary active ingredient in ephedra), and may have the same risks, according to experts. While some argue that these facts are overblown, the results seen from bitter orange are inconclusive at best, leaving many to wonder what the point of taking it at all is.

If it’s on a store shelf, it’s safe for me to take:
Again, no way.
Let's put it this way: weight-loss supplements aren’t approved or tested in the United States. And in a recent and ongoing study, the FDA released a list of 69 weight-loss supplements tainted with laxatives, diuretics, prescription weight-loss drugs, and other medications not listed on the label.

Natural weight-loss supplements don't have side effects:
They sure do!
If something causes an effect, there's bound to be a side-effect. A better idea for those looking to lose weight with "all-natural" supplements is to do it through a healthy diet. It doesn't get more natural than ditching the pills and eating right.

Source: Health.com