Do Weight Loss Supplements Work?

Growing obesity rates — and the accompanying diseases like diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure — have led to growing interest in weight loss and dieting. Treating obesity is proving to be a huge challenge, however, and most dieting approaches simply don't work in the long term. Why? People find it difficult to adhere to diet modifications and physical activity regiments. It's really that simple.

People find these supplements easy to use. Compared to changing your entire diet and lifestyle, taking a simple pill seems to be an easy solution to the problem. In addition, diet pill supplement manufacturers assure their consumers that they won't just successfully lose weight, but also experience additional health benefits. Currently, the use of such supplements is widespread, as they are not viewed as drugs and are, therefore, less regulated.

But how safe and effective are these supplements?

If you're currently looking to lose weight, you too might be interested in diet pills. Why bother with dieting and exercising after all, when there's a supposed much easier solution? Before you get your hands on your own weight loss supplements, wait. They may seem like magic solutions, but in reality, evidence that they actually work is limited.

Let's take a look at the science behind weight loss supplements.

Weight Loss Supplements: An Easy Approach To Weight Loss?

There are two wildly popular natural weight loss approaches: diet modification (primarily through limiting caloric intake) and physical activity. These two approaches, when combined, can lead to a lifestyle change where success in losing weight can be achieved and weight can be maintained for long period of time. However, these approaches are not that easy to adhere to.  

Another, rather easier approach being adopted these days is the use of weight-loss supplements. People are drawn towards this short-cut because these remedies are mostly regarded as "food supplements" and not drugs. Therefore, they are expected to be safer than drugs. This feeling is further enforced by the fact that the supplements don’t need to be prescribed by a physician. People who failed to reach their body weight target using conventional approaches (or even ended up gaining weight instead) are particularly tempted by the supplements.

Types Of Supplements And How They Work

Currently available weight loss supplements may rely on multiple courses of actions and molecular mechanisms for weight loss. They might increase the energy that the body spends (Ephedra, Caffeine), regulate carbohydrate metabolism (Ginseng, Chromium), increase satiation (Guar gum), cause an increase in the oxidation rate of fats or decreases the synthesis of fats in the body (Green tea, Licorice), or decrease the absorption of fat in the guts (Chitosan). Many supplements can also cause other effects (for example, mood elevation, as in the case of St. John’s wort). Quite a few supplements rely on the combination of several mechanisms of action.

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The weight loss industry is rapidly growing, and the supplements aiding fat loss account for a very significant market share. It is estimated that people spend over $1.6 billion each year on the weight loss supplements in the US alone. With this remarkable and growing popularity, it is no wonder that the industry is tempted to introduce new high selling products as fast as possible.

Are Weight Loss Supplements Effective And Safe To Use?

The main problem with these over the counter dietary supplements is that there is a lack of research concerning their efficacy and safety. They are regarded as "natural" or "food supplements" because they are not dealt with by the FDA (Foods and Drug Administration). Rather, they are approved by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). The FDA approves a drug after conducting multi-step clinical trials on it for its safety, usefulness, effective dose and the way it interacts with other drugs. The DSHEA however, doesn’t do that.

A typical example when unknown effects are possible is a case when a combination of botanical constituents or a herbal combination is used together in some supplements. Combined action of all these constituents on the body is hardly ever studied properly, let alone that some individual ingredients need to be studied better.  This is a strong argument against the use of supplements.

Also, there is no sufficient evidence available at present to recommend the use of weight loss supplements. A combination of Ephedra-caffeine was found to be effective but it has been banned by the FDA for the adverse effects associated with its use. Chitosan and guar gum have not been that effective and the effects of long term use of chromium are still not known. Caffeine, capsaicin and fiber have little effect except when consumed in the whole food.

It is important that physicians ask their patients about the use of any supplements before prescribing any medicines and closely monitor the effects of any of the supplements being used by the patients. The synergistic effect of these supplements cannot be ignored, but very little data is available in their support.

Reported Side Effects Of Dietary Supplements

Research studies conducted to check the widely-used supplement "Hydroxycut" containing Garcinia cambogia have shown cases of hepatotoxicity in consumers. It has been suggested that stricter checks be performed for the supplements before they come to the market. Ephedra is another commonly used constituent of weight loss supplements. It has been found, however, that ephedra-free supplements have a better hemodynamic effect on the health compared to those that contain it.

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It is very tempting simply to take some pills instead of doing all this hard work. Unfortunately, the scientific data to support the manufacturer’s claims are often nowhere to be seen, and the safety of weight loss supplements is not particularly well studied. A lot of research support is required to prove that these supplements actually aid in weight loss and are also safe to use. FDA and other authorities should take steps to approve these supplements before they become available for public use.