Q: I have found the consumption of citrus peels, particularly grapefruit along with thioridazine hydro chloride (25 mg) taken for three to five days to bring about tightening of stomach muscles and rapid weight loss. Please comment and provide possible verification.

A:An amazing variety of agents have been used to help people lose weight. These vary from high protein diets to acid producing diets, and from nauseants to poisons. Citrus fruit peels combine the qualities of the latter two, and may indeed lead to weight loss if overall food intake is reduced. All diets have one problem: they may work temporarily for enthused dieters who persist with the regimen, but the weight usually returns unless overall dietary and behavioural (eg, more exercise) habits are changed. The best approach to weight loss is to exercise more with all muscles except those used in eating.