Weight Loss Supplements: Fact or Fiction?

-- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

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L-Carnitine:
L-Carnitine claims to inhibit obesity, but there is very little evidence of its effectiveness.

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), Pyruvate, and Dihydroxyacetone and Pyruvate (DHAP):
A few small studies suggest that these supplements may have modest effects on weight loss, but research is needed. Presently, no serious side effects have been reported.

Fat Blockers

Alli: For a detailed discussion of Alli, the first FDA approved weight loss pill available over the counter, click here.
Lecithin, Guar Gum, Psyllium Hulls, Chickweed, and Chitosan (Examples: Chito-Trim, Exercise in a Bottle, Fat Blocker—Chitosan Complex, Fat Grabbers, Fat Trapper, Fat Trapper Plus, Metabo Fat Blocker, Miracletab, Now Chitosan with Chromium):
These products claim to help break down fat so that it can be absorbed, emulsified, trapped, and eliminated by the body. There is currently no competent and reliable scientific research to support such claims.

Starch Blockers

White Bean Extract, White Kidney Bean Extract, Green Tea Extract, Chlorogenic Acid from Coffee, Banaba Extract, Phaseolus Vulgaris, Natural Bean Extract (Examples: Carb Blocker Triple Action, CarboGetic, Carbo Grabbers, Carb Shuttle, CarboVal, Extreme Carb Blocker, Maximum Strength Phase 2 Carb Blocker, Now Phase 2 Carb Blocker, Starch Blocker Plus, UltraCarb, Xenadrine CarboCurb):
These products claim to prevent the digestion and neutralization of sugar and carbohydrates, therefore reducing the calories available to the body. The undigested carbohydrates are carried to the intestine for elimination. These claims lack scientific research and are false and misleading.

Stress, Craving, and Appetite Controllers

Hoodia Gordonii: For years the South African San bush people have used the succulent plant, Hoodia gordonii, to stave off hunger during long hunts. A few preliminary and unpublished research studies indicate that there may be some type of appetite-suppressing mechanism from a molecule in Hoodia called P57. This molecule supposedly affects the hypothalamus of the brain to reduce appetite. Now this plant from the Kalahari Desert is being imported and made into Hoodia pills, tablets and capsules to supposedly help with hunger control for those trying to lose weight. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support these claims regarding appetite control and weight loss. For now, more evidence is needed to determine if Hoodia is effective for any clinical condition. Beyond that, there is plenty of fake Hoodia on the market. News reports suggest that some Hoodia products don't even contain any actual Hoodia.
Magnolia Bark, Korean Ginseng, Chromium Picolinate, and Chitosan (Examples: CarboGetic, CarboVal, Maximum Strength Phase 2 Carb Blocker, Miracle Tab, Now Chitosan with Chromium):
Continued ›

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About The Author

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.

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Member Comments

DELLMEL

They put all these things out there to see how fast they can draw peoples to buy them. I don't like taking the pills the doctor give me. So I know what they have out there forget it. - 5/3/2013 4:29:46 PM
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CJ2BHEALTHY

I enjoyed reading this! Please do a follow up with all the new ones you see out there :) - 5/3/2013 8:53:05 AM
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PATTISWIMMER

Becky you really do a great job on researching these types of articles.. - 3/20/2013 9:26:42 PM
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MINDY681

Has anyone lost weight on SENSA a diet product out there - 3/14/2013 10:23:41 AM
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MSANITAL

I am very glad I read this, I am not a huge believer in the "diet pills" but I do take some supplements. and I am glad that the one I take they said they did fot find to be hurtful
I have take CLA I think it has helped I still work out and eat right which is the number one thing to help with weight loss
- 9/26/2012 2:38:36 PM
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ZAPITA22

I agree these remedies are misleading and just a tactic to get money (as is most any other product on tv) However to say that any one of them is false, misleading and deceptive simply because it lacks scientific substantiation is a almost as bad as the vendors saying it works without the scientific substantiation. It would be better said that substantial research has not been made to determine the extent of the effects of the product.

Every prescribed medication, antibiotic, immunization or any other treatment, including Cancer treatments, started out without scientific substantiation yet they were not false and continue to be used until they are proven otherwise. (Yes i know there are others out there that do not trust those remedies either)

Let me just state, I think it is dangerous to to take anything without proper research. And I don't endorse any of these product or believe that they work. - 7/28/2012 11:24:42 AM
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FANCY941

ive been on Phentermine 37.5 for just over a month now and have not had any problems. in fact i lost 8lbs during that month . while i take this medicine as an apetite suppressant i am learning to pay attention to when im full and watch my caloric intake. i think its very helpful! i love it! - 5/11/2012 9:04:23 PM
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BLUEGREEN73

i just started a weight loss pill to help me control my hunger(s) in the evening is my hardest part. These pills seem to work for me so far. i agree with everyone, Just watch your calories,and the amount you eat, Which is hard for me so i hope i get ALOT of support here because i need it. Thank-You - 4/16/2012 9:10:19 AM
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SEPTLEFTY

Ive yet to find anything i comfortable with. - 1/18/2012 9:54:05 AM
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SABLE45

Bubba Smith-the retired football player and actor from those "Police Academy" movies died as a result of ingesting too many diet pills at once. He was found in his home. A terrible cost to pay just to lose weight.

I've been on that supplement roller coaster and have experienced many of the side effects. I'm starting over this year; hopefully to a healthier new me. - 1/13/2012 12:35:04 PM
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JULIA75

Isn't it amazing what we will fork out for diet-pills? We put more effort into earning that money than we'd have to spend on the work-out that would get us the same effect. And most of the time the exercise isn't half as dreary as we think, it's just getting up and getting out our exercise stuff that's so hard to do.

Thanks for the article! I doubt I'd ever really buy diet pills because there are a hundred things I'd rather spend my money on. But the ads _are_ tempting (well, a lot of experts are paid good money to make them so) and it's good to be reminded that it's all a hoax. - 1/12/2012 5:56:52 AM
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GSCHWAB1

It would be nice to see some research on Qivana. Thirty-two years of scientific research for re-setting your metabolism can't be all bad and all natural too! - 1/11/2012 1:19:25 PM
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MELAMA

I've tried the majority of these "miracles", and am now back to what I know works...calorie counting and exercise! Changes for a lifetime. - 1/11/2012 10:04:37 AM
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SALTYCHOCOLATE

It is truly sad that there is so much crap out there. And it's sadder that people buy the stuff. As was written in the SP article, many of these so-called "supplements" are dangerous.

And Valentine_13, I loved your comment about HCG, it's a crock. When I first heard of it I was floored that anyone would actually do this diet. Sad, very sad. - 1/11/2012 9:25:27 AM
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JENNROSE42

What a great article to help everyone understand the many false claims about these products. - 1/11/2012 7:38:32 AM
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