Blockers Diet
Jun/080
Blockers Diet

What diet aids can I take while taking beta blockers for my heart condition?
I am on Pindolol- weight gainor
icv76 - You should speak to your doctor about this, but I am glad you are asking the question at least. I do agree with ChornayaKiska and mdel that improving your diet and exercise regimen should be the FIRST steps towards achieving a healthy weight. However, some people do require additional help, and this is best done under the supervision of a physician. There are some diet aids that you can take, but they are largely going to be the ones available by prescription only. The over-the-counter diet aids that you see advertised are virtually all stimulants that help you to "burn calories". Many advertise that they are ephedra-free, but use herbal supplements that are known to be stimulants. They can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to increase to varying degrees. Unfortunately, this goes directly against what beta-blockers are meant to accomplish. They block some of the effects of adrenaline to keep your blood pressure and heart rate under control. Taking these supplements while you are on beta-blockers is like stepping on the gas and the brakes at the same time. There are a few prescription diet aids that you can ask your doctor about. They are not stimulants and will not work against the beta blocker, but can either help to reduce your appetite (Meridia) or reduce your GI absorption of dietary fat (Xenical). Another promising drug that should be available in the US soon is rimonabant. I can't say if any of these may be appropriate for you, but your doctor should be able to make some recommendations.
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