The Latest Miracle Weight Loss Pill: Not So Miraculous Actually

And once again, we are getting the breaking news headlines about a new obesity drug study with "promising" results. The drug in question -- tesofensine -- was originally created with the hope of easing symptoms for individuals with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. When patients in the studies lost weight, researchers decided to test the drug on the obese.

The latest clinical trial had good results -- at least in terms of weight loss. In six months, participants who took the highest dosage lost an average of 28 lbs., making it about twice as effective as diet drugs currently on the market. That's the end of the good news, though. Side effects included increased blood pressure, higher heart rate, nausea, dry mouth, bowel problems and trouble sleeping. In other words, while these people may have become healthier by losing weight, some of that advantage was lost to unhealthful side effects.

Then there's the whole issue of whether or not the weight lost with tesofensine will be regained. As Dr. David L. Katz, director of Yale University School of Medicine's Prevention Research Center, told the Washington Post:

"Losing weight, in the short term, though not easy, is not all that challenging," Katz said. "Any diet that restricts choice will tend to work, from low fat, to low carb, to cabbage soup or grapefruit, and a number of drugs can provide this effect as well, including, it seems, tesofensine," he said.

But the real test is sustainable weight control over the long term, Katz said. "This six-month study cannot tell us if tesofensine will pass that test," he noted.

Even more troubling, there is no way to determine long-term side effects, since it takes decades to complete those types of studies. So while tesofensine may turn out to be helpful for a small number of people, it most likely won't be a magic bullet for the rest of us. Actually, that's good news. I think the sooner we come to grips with the fact that weight management involves lifestyle adjustments - not pharmaceuticals - the better off we'll be!

More Proof That Diets Don't Work

Yes, it's a theme around here ... diets are not your friend. But don't take my word for it ... Pam Anderson (not the boobs-and-bikinis Pam, this is the one who's based her career on being a great cook! In fact, she's the CookSmart columnist for USA Weekend.) has a new book detailing how she lost forty pounds -- and kept if off, hello!! -- without giving up good food.

It's hard to imagine a tougher situation than being an acclaimed food expert and trying to lose weight. So what's her secret? In two words -- common sense! After years of dieting, Ms. Anderson realized that the hunger and deprivation that go hand in hand with most diets are killers. Instead of a temporary solution (in other words, yet another diet), she changed her lifestyle -- and lost the extra pounds she'd been struggling with for years.

If you'd like to know more, here is a link to an interview, plus an outstanding and very personal podcast in which she talks openly about her lifelong struggle with weight. Great stuff, all of it! (In the interests of full disclosure, I am not receiving any compensation of any kind for recommending this book. Also, I do not know Ms. Anderson and have no personal interest in her work. I just loved what she had to say, mainly because she agrees with me!!)