Teens who turn to weight loss supplements run the risk of serious health problems, and, because the U.S.

In the search for the next weight-loss miracle, researchers focused the spotlight on calcium. Your body contains more calcium than any other mineral.

The Dexatrim diet pill, developed in the 1970s and popularized in the 1980s, is a relative graybeard among over-the-counter diet aids.

Drinking certain herbs in the form of tea is an effective method to shed unwanted pounds and control hunger. While herbal teas are natural and offer many health benefits, moderation is key. Consuming too much tea, especially on an empty stomach, may have negative implications, such as dizziness or diarrhea.

The notion of a "fat blocker" pill may sound like a boon to those who are trying to lose weight. The idea that a simple pill could keep your body from absorbing the calories in the food that you eat sounds suspiciously like a magic pill that makes you skinny while you pig out.

Among the many weight-loss products available, some are effective, some are futile and some are dangerous. Sauna belts are futile. They promise to help you lose the fat around your midsection but cannot deliver.

Sweet and warm with a licoricelike flavor similar to anise, fennel seeds are often used in Chinese and Indian spice blends. While there is some talk on the Internet that these seeds may help you lose weight, the evidence is thin, and you shouldn't count on fennel to make you lose those unwanted fat pounds.

Water pills, medically known as diuretics, have many legitimate uses, but can cause dehydration and irregular heartbeats if you take them in excess. Abusing diuretics as a weight-control method is not only risky but ineffective, since water weight will re-accumulate when you stop taking the pills.

Hormonal changes during menopause are well-known for causing hot flashes, mood swings and loss of libido. But another frequent side effect is weight gain, in particular extra pounds added around your midsection.

Relacore is a diet pill that claims to help users lose belly fat by blocking "diet-related stress and anxiety," according to the Relacore website. Spot-reduction of fat on one part of the body is not possible. Only a calorie deficit can lead to overall weight loss, including from the belly.

In 2007, $1.7 billion was spent on weight loss or diet pills, according to research from Nutrition Business Journal, appearing in Newsweek magazine. Some appetite suppressants are on the market as dietary supplements, which are not regulated by any governing body, and can be purchased over-the-counter.

Slendertone uses EMS or electronic muscle stimulation to send electrical currents through the skin to contract the abdominal muscles. Although the Slendertone System for Abs may help the muscles contract, you’ll need to adjust your diet and make time for cardio exercise to improve the appearance of your abs.