Diet pills: Do they really work?

Diet pills sound like the easy option for people who struggle to lose weight but the truth is they don't work for everyone. Read about the pros and cons of the most popular over-the-counter brands and with the help of nutritionist Carina Norris, decide if they're the right choice for you.

If you go into any large chemist or health food shop you'll find a variety of pills and supplements that claim to help you lose weight. These supplements fall in to one of three categories:

1. Fat binders

These supplements cling to the fat that you eat and carry it through your digestive system before you can absorb it. In theory, you lose the fat when you go to the toilet and you don't put on any weight.

2. Metabolism boosters

These are often made from herbs like guarana and green tea and claim to boost your metabolism so your body burns fat faster than usual.

3. Appetite suppressants

There are two types of appetite suppressants, one type is fibre-based and fills your stomach so you're unable to eat as much as you normally would. The other type works on the part of the brain that tells you when you are full so you eat smaller portions than usual.

Worried about side effects? Read on for more information.