BodContour talks to plenty of people who try unsafe ways to lose weight before they come to us for a safe, effective alternative. We try to convince people to avoid unhealthy weight loss strategies. Some of the worst cases that we see come from people who follow extreme diets, rely on supplements and purge food before they can digest it.

Extreme diets that severely restrict calorie intake can help people lose weight. The weight loss, however, usually doesn't last long. The diets can also put a person's health in jeopardy.

- Lower metabolism to burn few calories during the day

- Convince the brain that it's in a state of emergency

- Put dieters at risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome

Even people who see positive results from extreme diets will soon return to their old eating habits. It's unreasonable to think that anyone can live on a starvation diet for very long.

Some dietary supplements promise that they can do miraculous things. The government doesn't regulate dietary supplements, so companies can make outrageous claims within providing any evidence. In reality, there aren't any safe over-the-counter supplements that can guarantee weight loss.

At best, supplements may contain ingredients, such as caffeine or ephedrine, that keep people energized so they can exercise to burn more calories.

People who want to shed pounds should also consider the adverse effects of taking supplements. Ephedrine is legal and somewhat effective, but it has been linked to reactions including:

- Seizures

- Strokes

- Heart attacks

Eating disorders affect at least 30 million people in the United States. Many of these people turn to purging so they won't digest all of the calories that they consume in their meals.

Purging disorders, such as bulimia, can quickly lead to health consequences like:

- Anemia

- Dehydration

- Irregular heartbeat

- Low blood pressure

- Lethargy and fatigue

- Stomach muscles

- Damage to the esophagus

Healthy ways to lose weight include:

- Burning calories through daily exercise

- Avoiding calorie-dense, processed foods

- Eating a plant-based diet with vegetables, fruits and whole grains

- Aiming to lose one or two pounds per week

Even people who maintain healthy lifestyles can have problem areas that refuse to cooperate. BodContour offers a safe, effective way to eliminate stubborn fat from places like bellies, chins and upper arms. Combined with a healthy diet and exercise, BodContour can help patients build the bodies that they dream of.

Learn more about BodContour by scheduling a consultation online.