Common Sensa

Our Metabolic Warriors and clients frequently ask questions about popular fad diets.  Our standard answer is...  Diets don't work, lifestyle changes do.  It is human nature to look for the easiest way to achieve a goal, or the "magic pill" when it comes to weight loss.  Those advertisements that promise that we will lose 10 pounds a week or 50 pounds in just a few months are very tempting, but the reality is, if the "diet" is not a change to eating patterns that are sustainable for life, then the weight loss is not SUSTAINABLE.  You will likely gain the weight back, and more! 

One of the currently popular diet fads is a product called Sensa.  Sensa is supposed to enhance the smell of your food, which in turn is supposed to make you feel full sooner, and therefore make you stop eating sooner.  Does it actually work?  Researchers have failed to verify claims of significant weight loss by the product's creator, Dr. Alan Hirsch. 

Other things to consider when trying Sensa, or any other diet, is its safety.  No long-term studies have been conducted to confirm the safety of consuming Sensa, and since Sensa is not categorized as a food product, it is not required to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration.  Some of the common side effects reported with the use of Sensa include upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and hives.  Some users of Sensa have also reported experiencing intestinal blockage, rectal bleeding, and gall bladder attacks.

Furthermore, what are the benefits of a diet that may result in some temporary weight loss but does not involve healthy eating habits?  Our food choices can have a major impact on our health and well being.  Does adding a product to junk food just so we can lose weight actually improve our health?  And achieving weight loss through diet alone deprives us of the many benefits of exercise and an active lifestyle.  Remember that short-term solutions produce short-term results.  For long-term, sustainable weight loss and improved health, opt for exercise combined with healthy food choices and portion control.