It appears you have not yet registered for SparkPeople. To get a free nutrition and fitness plan and join our community click here....

Nutrition Articles     |    Nutrient Buzz

PRINT Share
SparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free!
 

Weight Loss Supplements: Fact or Fiction?

"Cures" Are Often More Hype than Help

-- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian
SparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free!
Whether browsing the Internet, surfing through 500 channels, or flipping through your favorite magazine (or tabloid), you’ll find them everywhere: weight loss supplements that offer quick and easy solutions to shedding unwanted pounds. Simply pop a pill, put on a patch, or tone up with the touch of a cream. Do these "cures" work, or are they more hype than help?

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular weight loss products, their claims, their risks…and why they’re NOT such a great idea.
 
Weight Loss Supplements
  • Bitter Orange, Citrus Aurantium, and Sour Orange:
    These products are concentrated extracts from the orange peel. They are often used in “ephedra-free” products, claiming that they increase metabolism, but tests involving people haven’t even been conducted! They contain the stimulant synephrine, which can cause hypertension and cardiovascular toxicity. Orange supplements can also interact with medication. Their risks are even greater when used with other stimulant-containing ingredients such as caffeine and decongestants. Individuals with heart disease, hypertension, and glaucoma should avoid these at all costs.
     
  • Chromium (Examples: Puritan’s Pride Chromium Picolinate, Vitamin World Naturally Inspired Yeast Free Chromium Picolinate, Nutrilite Trim Advantage):
    Claims that chromium increases weight loss and improves body composition have only been backed by one study, while all other studies failed to find any supporting evidence. There are two types of chromium: Trivalent (which the body requires and is considered safe in doses of 200 micrograms or less daily) and Hexavalent (which may cause stomach upsets, ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver diseases, and death). Hexavalent chromium can be toxic and shouldn’t be used in supplements, but some do contain this dangerous form!
Page 1 of 5   Next Page >       Return to Main nutrition Page >

PRINT Share
Add This to My SparkFavorites
 




 


Related Content


About The Author
Becky Hand Becky Hand
Becky is a registered and licensed dietitian with almost 20 years of experience. Through her company, An Ounce of Prevention, she makes nutrition principles practical, easy to apply and fun. See all of Becky's articles.


Member Comments About This Article
See All 85  |  Leave A Comment


Today On SparkPeople
Featured Article
Winter Workout Safety Tips

Baby, it's cold outside--sometimes too cold! Learn which weather conditions every outdoor exerciser should avoid, and the signs that it's time to bring your routine indoors.

Read More
MessageBoard Hot Topics
Top Searches
Squat with front shoulder raises
A total body workout in one move!
SparkRecipes: Featured Recipe
Mexican Rice, Seitan and Veggies over Salad Greens with Guacamole
Submitted By: MADDY_AVENA

Seitan is sauted with cumin, tossed with roasted veggies and rice, then topped with a very rich guacamole for those days that you just have to have something a little extravagant Full Recipe

 Search SparkRecipes
Activity Stats
  • Calories Burned: 7,544,080,178
  • Pounds Lost: 9,981,694
  • Cups Water Drank: 230,691,330
  • SparkAmerica Minutes: 1,111,010,882
Join SparkPeople For Free!
Get a personalized diet and fitness plan, great newsletters, post to our message boards, and even your own personal SparkPage!

Join Now For Free!