Ask Madelyn Fernstrom

Hi,

I was wondering if you had any advice pertaining to Hergic slimming tablets? They are supposed to be an all natural appetite suppressant that you can combine with drinking lots of water, eating fruit/veggies and working out.

From my research there isn't a lot about the actual tablets online. They say they are fda approved? And that the side affects are minimal. A friend of mine took them to her doctor and he said they were fine. I'm a bit of a worrier and with all the phen phen (if I'm spelling that right) that everyone was thrilled about before then suddenly being potentially fatal I'm a bit skeptical about them. I know exercise & diet cannot be replaced by a pill, but I've just had my third baby (in a short amount of time) and was hoping to lose a good bit before I turn thirty in a few months.

(My friend has lost 12 pounds in the last month on them). She said she was sick and a bit tired the first few days but after that she bounced right back. She regularly eats a small breakfast and lots of beverages now (tea and water) but not too much more.

Please let me know what you think!

Thanks.

Glenda

You are right - there's not a lot on line about this dietary supplement. Bottom line: don't use it. It is untested, unproven, and at the very least it can be a waste of money, and at the very worst, leading to health damage.

There is no magic pill - prescription, over the counter, or supplement that will ALONE support weght loss.

It's back to calories in and calories out. You are right to be wary of this. While many of us know WHAT to eat, it's WHY we eat that we also have to work on.

When it comes to weight loss supplements, when it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.......

How is your eating and activity plan? You've got to round it out with good sleep habits (enough of it!) as well as effective stress management. Both are tough with our busy lives, but a BIG part of the weight management picture.

How are you doing in these other areas?

Let me know how you are doing!

Health Journal with Dr. Fernstrom!