When you want to drop some weight, it's tempting to look for help anywhere you can. If your thoughts turn to supplements or herbal remedies, keep in mind that research gives many of them mixed reviews. In some cases, there isn't a lot of science to back up the claims, and some have health risks. Talk with your doctor first before you try any.
Also, you should know that the FDA has cracked down on some weight loss supplements that had prescription drugs in them that weren't noted on the label. You can't always tell what you're getting.
The FDA regulates dietary supplements, but it treats them like foods rather than medications. Unlike drug manufacturers, the makers of supplements don't have to show their products are safe or effective before they sell them.
Chitosan
This is a sugar that comes from the hard outer layers of lobsters, crabs, and shrimp. Enthusiasts say it can block fats and cholesterol from getting absorbed by your body.
Does it help you lose weight? Natural Medicines, an independent group that analyzes research on supplements, says there isn't enough reliable evidence to rate it. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that chitosan has not been shown to be effective for weight loss.
Chitosan usually causes no side effects, but some people get an upset stomach or constipation. If you are allergic to shellfish, you should not take chitosan, because it is made from shellfish.
Chromium Picolinate
Chromium is a mineral that enhances insulin, a hormone that's important for turning food into energy. Your body also needs it to store carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
There are claims that chromium supplements can:
- Lower your appetite
- Help you burn more calories
- Cut your body fat
- Boost your muscle mass
However, a review of 24 studies that checked the effects of 200 to 1,000 micrograms of chromium a day found that there aren't any significant benefits. Natural Medicines says that chromium is "possibly ineffective" for weight loss.
Rarely, chromium supplements can cause side effects such as:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Problems thinking
- Headache
Also, at least three people have developed
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
This is a popular supplement that contains chemicals found in a fatty acid called linoleic acid. There are claims that it may help curb body fat and help you stay full.
The research on CLA for weight loss is mixed. Some suggest that for some people, 1.8 to 6.8 grams of CLA per day may:
- Curb body fat
- Boost muscle
But other research shows it doesn't help you shed pounds.
Natural Medicines says that CLA is "possibly effective" for weight loss.
Some researchers warn that long-term use, especially if you're obese, may raise insulin resistance, which makes it more likely you'll get type 2 diabetes. It might worsen cholesterol in your blood, as well, which raises the risk of heart problems.
In some people, CLA may cause side effects such as:
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Loose stools
- Fatigue
Glucomannan
This is made from the Konjac plant. Like other dietary fibers, it's supposed to help you lose weight by blocking fat in your food from being absorbed into your body.
Very early studies suggest it might be helpful, but other evidence shows it doesn't work.
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watch nowNatural Medicines says there is "insufficient evidence" to rate how well glucomannan works for weight loss.
If you take glucomannan in the tablet form of the supplement, you could choke or get a blockage in your:
- Throat
- Esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach)
- Intestine
It appears to be somewhat safer if you take this supplement as a powder or a capsule.
Glucomannan also may make it harder for your body to absorb medications. So take your medicine either 1 hour before or 4 hours after you use glucomannan.
Green Tea Extract
It supposedly works by:
- Curbing your appetite
- Raising calorie and fat metabolism
Natural Medicines says there isn't enough evidence to rate how well it works.
Side effects of green tea extract, especially in high amounts, include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Agitation
Green Coffee Extract
Early studies suggest it may lead to modest weight loss, but more research is needed. Natural Medicines states that there is not enough good research to decide if it is effective.
Few people have side effects, but because of the caffeine in green coffee it may cause:
- Headaches
- Stomach upset
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
- Abnormal heart rhythms
Guar Gum
This comes from the seed of the guar plant. Like other dietary fibers, it may prevent fats from being absorbed into your body and help you feel full.
Guar gum has been studied much more than other fibers for weight loss, and most researchers say it's not effective.
Natural Medicines agrees and rates guar gum as "possibly ineffective."
Side effects may include:
- Gas
- Diarrhea
Hoodia
This is a plant that grows in the Kalahari Desert in Africa. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the stem of the root was traditionally used by Bushmen to cut their hunger and thirst during long hunts. It's now marketed as an appetite suppressant.
Hoodia contains P57, an ingredient that's said to curb appetite by helping you feel full. But there's no credible evidence that it's safe or effective.
Natural Medicines says it lacks evidence to rate whether hoodia works.
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Drugs vs. Supplements
watch now7-Keto-DHEA
This is found naturally in your body. It may help you lose pounds by boosting your metabolism so you burn more calories throughout the day.
In a couple of small studies, people who took 7-keto-DHEA -- along with moderate exercise and a reduced-calorie diet -- lost significantly more weight than those who were given a placebo (a dummy pill). But Natural Medicines says there still isn't enough reliable evidence to rate how well it works.
A decrease in blood count has been reported after taking 7-Keto-DHEA for a week. Scientists are not yet sure what this can mean for the person taking the supplement.
Ephedra
This is an herb that's also known as ma huang. This is a different plant from a related species that grows in North America. Ephedra contains the stimulant ephedrine.
It is very closely related to these manmade compounds found in some drugs:
- Pseudoephedrine
- Phenylpropanolamine
The FDA banned supplements with ephedra after the herb was linked to serious side effects, including:
- Heart attack
- Arrhythmia
- Stroke
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Death
The FDA's ban doesn't apply to traditional Chinese herbal remedies or to products such as herbal teas.
According to the FDA, there is little evidence that the herb helps except for short-term weight loss. The agency says the health risks outweigh any benefits.
Natural Medicines says ephedra is "likely unsafe."
Bitter Orange
The bitter orange tree is native to Africa and tropical Asia. It's also grown in the Mediterranean, California, and Florida.
The bitter orange fruit rind contains synephrine, a stimulant related to ephedrine. It supposedly works by raising the number of calories burned.
After the FDA banned weight loss products containing ephedra, many makers switched to bitter orange, but it's not clear if it's safer.
Natural Medicines says that bitter orange is "possibly unsafe" and there's not enough evidence to know if it works for weight loss.
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watch nowSome studies show bitter orange supplements can raise your blood pressure and heart rate. There have been reports that they may have had dangerous side effects in people who took bitter oranges alone or combined with other stimulants such as caffeine. The risks include:
- Stroke
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart attack
- Death
The FDA says bitter oranges may not be safe to use as a dietary supplement. You should especially avoid it if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or other medical problems.
You should also avoid bitter orange supplements if you take caffeine, certain medications (such as MAO inhibitors), or herbs or other supplements that speed up the heart rate.
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