Stacker 2 and Stacker 3 are a new brand of diet energy pills manufactured by NVE Pharmaceuticals that claim to help you burn fat and increase energy.

They contain caffeine, which accounts for the increased energy. They also contain synephrine, structurally similar to ephedra (an FDA-banned substance in diet products) and can increase fat burning in the body. This combination of synephrine and caffeine makes for a potentially harmful drug and may be associated with ischemic stroke and increased blood pressure according to the Mayo Clinic.

The difference between the dietary supplements is that Stacker 3 contains more caffeine. It also contains chitosan, a supplement commonly extracted from the shells of crustaceans, like shrimp and crab that is thought to inhibit the absorption of dietary fat.

“Any weight loss product that claims quick weight loss (more than two pounds a week), eat whatever you want and still lose weight, or all you do is take the pills without having to exercise is a short-lived weight loss promise,” acording to Sarah Krieger, a registered dietitian and national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “Without proper control of food intake and exercise, diet pills are only an effective short term tool.

“Like many diet pills, Stacker contains an appetite suppressant and caffeine, so the idea is to eat less and have a boost of energy, which is supposed to motivate you to exercise,” Krieger said. “The problem is that when a person stops taking the pills, the appetite returns.”

What are your weight loss goals? Whatever it is, these tips will help you reach them. Dietitian Sarah Khan helps you break it down to the basics. Here are the ten most important things you need to do to get to your target weight this year.

1. Fill up on fiber. “That includes fiber-rich sources, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, which all help increase satiety and fullness at each meal,” said Khan.

2. Beware of liquid calories. “That means limit juices and high-calorie coffee drinks,” she said. “Instead, try swapping out your regular glass of O.J. for any whole piece of fruit.”

3. Stay hydrated. “Not only is water important in delivering nutrients, it also plays an important role in weight loss,” said Khan. Often times, hunger is confused with thirst, so staying hydrated will keep you from craving extra calories.

4. Practice smart snacking. “Eating every three to four hours fuels your metabolism and prevents you from overeating at meals,” she said. “The best combo: Always include a portion of carbs and protein with each snack, such as trail mix or low-fat cheese with whole-grain crackers.”

5. Avoid skipping meals. “Saving your calories for the evening often leads to overeating and discomfort,” Khan said. “Instead, eat regularly throughout the day for optimum energy levels and portion control.”

6. Be carb smart. “Carbohydrates serve as the body’s primary source of energy,” she said. “To maximize their impact, always select nutrient-dense carbs, such as whole grains and fruit, instead of simple, processed carbohydrate foods.”

7. Limit your alcohol. “Just four ounces of red wine contains 80 calories,” said Khan. “Limiting those few extra cocktails per week can certainly help lose those last few pounds.”

8. Aim for variety. “Changing your food each week will help you stay motivated,” she said. “Eating the same foods over and over again causes boredom, which may lead to quitting your weight loss efforts sooner than expected.”

9. Get more of healthy fats. “Fat is an important energy source for the body and serves as the delivery system for vitamins A, D, E and K, so don’t avoid them thinking you’ll lose more weight,” she said. “Instead, choose more plant-based fats, such as nuts and olive oil.”

10. Practice mindful eating. “Take at least 20 minutes to eat meals,” said Khan. “Also, avoid eating in front of the television, computer or while chatting on the phone. By focusing on your meals, you’ll drastically improve your satiety, which can help prevent overeating.”

If you are finding it hard to stick your diet, Joy Bauer has some great tips for enhancing your weight loss efforts. The six slimming foods below provide a way to satisfy your taste buds and control your appetite.

Cucumber tomato salad
With their high percentage of water (95%!), cucumbers are low-calorie, high volume, and top-notch for weight loss!  Simply slice up one whole cucumber plus a medium tomato, then toss with light vinaigrette or unlimited vinegar (balsamic or red wine is delish) plus 1 teaspoon olive oil.  The entire salad has only 125 calories!

Ginger green tea
Research suggests that regularly drinking green tea may give you a slight calorie-burning advantage.  Steep your tea with a thin slice of ginger root for an extra punch of flavor.

Fiery chicken salad
Adding a few dashes of fiery hot sauce to your food sloooows down your eating big time so you’re less likely to eat past the point of fullness.  For a simple lunch, whip up a chicken salad with diced chicken breast, 1 tablespoon reduced-fat mayo, hot sauce to taste, and any diced veggies on hand.  Serve over a bed of lettuce (and have a glass of water handy!).

Shrimp cocktail
At around 8 calories apiece, shrimp are a fabulous source of lean protein, which helps rev your metabolism and keeps you feeling full for hours.  Next time you dine out, start your meal with a shrimp cocktail appetizer.  When you’re eating at home, dunk your shrimp in this could-not-be-easier cocktail sauce recipe: simply combine 1 tablespoon ketchup with 1 teaspoon bottled horseradish.

Pumpkin pudding
Decadent, creamy pudding for less than 150 calories—and it helps you lose weight! Just combine a 6-ounce container of nonfat vanilla yogurt with ½ cup canned 100% pure pumpkin puree and a dash of cinnamon.  The pumpkin bulks up the yogurt—already a protein-rich, nutrient-packed food—and adds a hefty dose of fiber.  This winning combo of protein and fiber expands in your stomach, keeping you full long after you finish, so you’re not looking for more munchies an hour later.

Vegetable soup
Studies have shown that by starting a meal with a fiber-rich bowl of broth-based veggie soup, you can reduce your total calorie intake by 20 percent. That’s because this “veggie first course” helps to fill you up, so you wind up eating less at the main meal.

There is talk of a new diet drug called Contrave that has been designed to attack food addictions and cravings. Obviously, this new diet pill would be a great help to people who lose weight and then gain it back. It’s a combination of two drugs, an anti-depressant and an anti-addiction drug. Both are already on the market. According to evidence from testing, the one-two punch in the Contrave pill has helped people who took it to lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight. Really obese patients lost even more.

Its results have made parallel comparisons with weight lost from gastric bypass surgery.

We will wait while the drug gets approved and see what it can do.

[Via BostonChannel.com]

Slimquick is a popular diet pill for women, but there are claims that its ingredients produce dangerous side effects like nausea, digestive issues, rapid heartbeats and high blood pressure. There are also other dangerous side effects like mood swings and depression.

Makes me wonder if Slimquick is even worth trying as a diet pill to lose weight.

Courtesy:Examiner

A new diet pill was launched in the UK called Capsiplex, with the creators making bold claims of burning as many calories as you would from 90 minutes of brisk walking. According to Entertainment Daily, the pill has been used by such stars like Jennifer Lopez, Brad Pitt and Britney Spears.

Personally, I am not a fan of ‘celebrity’ diet pills because they are marketed around quick fixes, and in 2010 anyone who is serious about losing weight of course should have a real effective solution.

What do you think? Leave your comments about this new diet pill on the block below.

[Source: Examiner.com]