Bad effects of Diet pills

Shedding pounds with diet pills could put heart health at risk.

In a recent study, diet pills containing ephedra or guarana were associated with increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Such increases could raise heart attack and stroke risk, particularly in people with medical conditions that already put them at risk for these events. Ditch diet pills in favor of exercise and a balanced diet.

In addition to elevating heart rate and blood pressure, weight loss supplements containing ephedra or guarana also may lead to glucose and potassium imbalance, all of which could increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The dangers are especially great for people who have medical conditions that increase their risk of heart attack and stroke, such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or diabetes -- conditions often associated with obesity. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned ephedra, many diet supplements may still contain guarana, a plant-derived compound that is high in caffeine, or ma huang, a Chinese herb closely related to ephedra.

Although it's important to shed excess pounds if you are overweight, doing it the right way means doing it healthfully, such as by eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and by exercising regularly.

Benefit: Taking unnecessary vitamins and supplements can make your age as much as 1.7 years older.