The sudden passing of radio personality-cum-soca artiste Devon Matthews sent many into a state of disbelief and the misinformed report linking his death to the use or misuse of diet pills further exasperated his family, friends and fans alike.Matthews suffered a heart attack that killed him at the age of 36.The mention of diet pills, however, caused a stir and has left people wanting to know whether or not using diet pills is safe, advised by doctors and even if allowed, should one use them unsupervised by a medical practitioner.The Express sought the views of Dr Varma Deyalsingh on the potential dangers of diet pills and dietary supplements consumers might be unaware of.Deyalsingh has been in the medical field for over 20 years and believes in the power of information and educating others on health matters. He often finds himself encouraging people to do their own research, and talk to their doctor before taking any form of medication or starting a new exercise routine.Deyalsingh admits, unrealistic beauty and physical standards put pressure on people to fit in, this in turn causes them to take unprecedented risks, where they would normally stop and think things through.Body image is a problem in our society. Its not just our society but around the world. This concept of Slim-is-in is a mindset people have to change. The focus should not be on how slim you are but your overall good health. Eat healthy and have a healthy lifestyle, thats what is most important, Deyalsingh said.Easy to get off the shelf

Diet pills and supplements are easy enough to get off the shelf, and doctors also prescribe diet pills and supplements from time to time to their patients. While most people would be more focused on the results, it is important to know exactly what you are putting inside your body, Deyalsingh said.He cautioned about popular diet pills and supplements claim to be herbal. These diet pills and supplements have also been known to cause adverse side effects in people, he said. One case in point Deyalsingh referred to was Hydroxycut.He said, A lot of people were taking this, however, there were instances where people complained of having seizures, and after a thorough investigation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based in the United States, it was then removed from the shelves. The company reformulated the product, and reintroduced it to stores and pharmacies a few years later.Diet pills and supplements with green tea and caffeine are also considered relatively safe, but it can cause the heart to skip a beat in some people. Some diet pills contain amphetamines (uppers), and act as a stimulant to suppress the appetite. It can also increase energy. For some people it could also prove to be very addictive. Phentermine is another drug that can cause heart palpitations in some people, thats why it is so important that these two drugs are prescription only, he said.

Health factors before taking pills

There are many factors doctors take into account before putting someone on diet pills/supplements. If I decided to put someone on diet pills/supplements, the patient would first have to have demonstrated for a couple of months that healthy eating, dieting and exercise have failed. I would check first to see if the person has any heart problems, check and make sure their blood pressure is good, and if there has been any history with addiction such as alcohol or smoking. If any of these is a factor, there is greater chance for the person to be at risk for adverse side effects with this type of treatment. I would not recommend such for a patient with this history. I would prescribe something else, he said.Most consumers are not aware of the dangers posed by some diet pills and supplements. Some have been known to cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks and possible addiction. There have also been instances, where people combine medications, such as diet pills and anti-depressants, which in turn can cause grave harm to the body. There are countless diet pills and supplements on the market, however just because you can get it over-the-counter does not automatically mean it is safe, Deyalsingh said.There are instances, where some of these pills and supplements are banned in other countries, and still manage to find their way into our market. Gym owners and people who go to the gym need to be aware of all the new and existing medical information out there on supplements and diet pills. Not everything is safe for everyone, Deyalsingh said.Deyalsing added that pharmacists also have a greater role in educating consumers about the potential risks. They should be firm with consumers when they advise them to consult their physician before purchasing any medication.It does not take rocket science to get in shape, but there are people who are unwilling to put in the work through exercise to get the results they are looking for. My advice for anyone thinking about taking diet pills and supplements, try it the natural way first. Start with a proper diet and exercise instead of potentially causing your body harm, Deyalsingh added..

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Diet, exercise, doctor first, before the pills - Trinidad & Tobago Express