There are appetite suppressants and there are appetite suppressants. Are they all the same? With a lot of these in the market, it sometimes seems that the number of choices is there to baffle you and not help you be clear-minded on what to choose. Let us help you by taking out the mystery with the different kinds of appetite suppressants.

But first, the basics. Appetite suppressants work by convincing the brain that you don’t need to eat and thus you lose weight because you eat less than you used to. They act on different kinds of neurotransmitter pathways that work its way to the brain. They work on the brain to either reduce the appetite (you don’t feel any hunger pangs) or make you feel full.

Symphathomimetics These basically act like amphetamines – they stimulate the brain and the nerves to get your blood pressure and heart rate up. They also promote the release of noradrenaline – these in turn work on the neurons to trick the brain into thinking that you already are full. Of course, there is the danger that you will develop a dependence on these, so take these only with your doctor’s prescription.

Serotonine-like appetite suppressants These either limit the uptake or increase the release of serotonin. Serotonin is an enzyme that affects our moods, appetite, sleep habits and even our sexual desires. They work to suppress the appetite and at the same time help you have a general feeling of well-being.

Suppressants that work on the canabinoid system This system works on the mood, body weight and appetite. It suppresses cravings for sweets and high-fat foods. With that out of the way, one no longer needs to struggle with going for that sugar rush.

Norepinephrine and serotononine acting appetite suppressants These limit the reuptake of noradrenaline, serotonine and dopamine. They send the signal to the brain, telling it that you are full, therefore you are quickly satisfied with less food. It also has an additional effect of promoting the burning of fat.

Hoodia gordonii and other P-57 glycosides Hoodia is a cactus-like plant that grows in the desert of the Kalahari. It contains a glycosides called P57. These glycosides imitate the function of glucose. You see, when we eat, the level of glucose in our blood shoots up. This gives the brain the signal that the body is already full. P57 works the same way – they tell the brain that there is enough glucose in the blood and that there is no need to eat anymore.

Okay, now before you rush into the local health store, you should remember that what is important is that diet pills such as appetite suppressants, are not magical things. They just make it easier for you to deal with the issue of losing weight. You should, however, think carefully and weigh the pros and cons before you take these. You should still exercise caution.

Research has indicated that appetite suppressants can make you lose about 5 – 10 percent of your present body weight, even when you combine them with exercise and a healthy diet. There are also indications that the effectiveness of the medications may level off after using it for six months. So for those who only need an extra nudge to lose those last few pounds, appetite suppressants may not be for you. Those who have a Body Max Index (BMI) that is at 30 or above, stand to gain more benefits with appetite suppressants since the potential side effects are far outweighed by the good they can do. This also applies to those who have a BMI at 27 or above but also have high blood pressure, diabetes or any obesity related condition.

And there are side effects to appetite suppressants, the same as any other medication. Side effects associated with this kind of medications include nervousness, palpitations, restlessness and nervousness. There is also a possibility that you will develop a dependence on these medications. These are also controlled substances, after all.

What we want to stress here is that there is no cure-all for that healthy and trim body. It still needs some work done. When you lose weight and yet pull out all the stops in the area of self-control, you run the risk of getting those pounds back. So it is best to develop good habits (in eating and exercise), even when you take appetite suppressants.