Weight loss supplements facts or fiction?

Weight Loss Supplements – fact or fiction?

With more than third of U.S. adults are obese, another third are in the overweight category, many Americans are searching for herbal weight loss in Philadelphia supplements and other products, supplements, and other  natural remedies. Of the more than two thirds of Americans that are overweight or obese,  it is estimated that about one third of U.S. adults are trying to lose weight at any given point in time.

Confusing weight loss options

However, with over 20,000 books written on this topic, there is a lot of misinformation out there. It is all the more important to obtain professional help from a weight loss doctor trained in the field of obesity to carefully look at the evidence for any of these supplements and make recommendations on those that have evidence. Americans are Increasingly turning to medical weight loss in Philadelphia supplements for help although many of the so called weight loss supplements may or may not be evidence based.

Those that have evidence

Weight loss protein supplements such as Protein Bars, Shakes and Smoothies, if prescribed under the care of a licensed health care provider, for the purpose of restricting the calories, using balanced meal replacements or other dietary weight loss supplements.

Physician Prescribed Weight loss medications are covered else where.

Alli: although Alli is an Over The Counter weight loss medication approved by FDA, there is some concerns of liver damage.

Questionable evidence to no evidence 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!

W8MD Meal Replacements

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) (Examples: Vitamin World CLA, Nature Made CLA, Now Foods CLA):

This product claims to promote leanness, but very few studies support this claim. While more research is needed, CLA is generally safe.
Ephedra/Ephedrine:

Ephedra may aid weight loss by suppressing appetite, and research has proven its effectiveness when used with caffeine. However, ephedra causes high blood pressure, stroke, and serious heart problems, which is why the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra was prohibited in April 2004.
7-Keto Dehydroepiandrosterone (7-keto DHEA):

Preliminary research indicates that this product may decrease body weight and fat composition by increasing metabolism, but larger research studies are needed (see Ephedra to learn why testing is important).
Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA) and Garcinia Cambogia:

These products claim to suppress appetite and improve fat metabolism. While studies have shown mixed results, they are generally safe.

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
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):

These ingredients claim to suppress appetite, reduce stress-induced cravings, and normalize cravings overall. No competent and reliable scientific evidence exists to support these claims.
Cortisol Control (Examples: CortiSlim, CortiStress, Cortisol Stress Test):