Is your teenager popping pills to lose weight? Beware of the increased risk of harmful hormones.
Weight loss pills are advertised as the quick fix to a perfect figure, but they come with dangerous side effects, including increased heart rate, fainting, unusual bleeding and heart attacks. Diet pills can also cause and, in extreme cases they can rip apart the stomach lining and even lead to death, the study showed.
Instead of turning to diet pills, do exercise, change eating habits and drink more water, and meditate.
By training, I am a American Board Certified Pediatrician. But in my younger years I grew up with natural alternatives. As a mom I have tried to incorporate both for my kids and it has worked wonders. And finally, as I am studying natural & alternative medicines, I realize the beauty and wisdom of living closer to earth. Hence in my practice I integrate both...for acute ailments I follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation but for simple and/or chronic conditions I prefer natural alternatives.
In western training we were raised to think that "health is the absence of symptoms and problems". But eastern sensibilities has educated me that "Health is state that allows one to use the full capabilities of their body, mind and intellect. Therefore, healthy living is a balanced state of well being: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually." This implies that healing is not a "one-pill-fits-all", but a personalized experience.
