Do dietary supplements work for weight loss?

But there is little scientific evidence that supplements for weight loss.

dietary supplements

are sold as health aids. Common ingredients are vitamins, minerals, fiber, caffeine, herbs, and other plants. To find out if a weight loss supplement can help people lose weight safely and keep it off, it is necessary to study larger groups of people for a longer time.

They often promote quick and easy weight loss with the promise that you can lose inches without having to rely solely on a balanced diet or exercising regularly. There are only two prescription drugs that are approved by the FDA for long-term use for weight loss (several others are approved only for short-term use for a few months). Natural Medicines says bitter orange is possibly unsafe when taken orally as a supplement, and there isn't enough evidence to know if it works for weight loss. When the FDA discovers a dangerous dietary supplement, you have the option to withdraw it from the market or request that the supplement manufacturer withdraw it.

Until data from such trials become more available, claims about dietary supplements and weight loss should be treated with caution. In addition to the fact that there is no evidence to support the claims of these easy weight loss pills, some of these supplements have been linked to significant health risks. Dietary supplements have side effects and may interfere with the absorption of over-the-counter or prescription medicines. Only 16 studies managed to demonstrate weight loss in participants, ranging from less than 1 pound to 11 pounds.

However, supplements have negligible effects on the number of calories you burn or on the way you metabolize fat, and most don't have enough reliable scientific evidence to support them. Drug Interactions Like most dietary supplements, some weight-loss supplements may interact with or interfere with other medications or supplements you take. But making these lifestyle changes isn't easy, so you might be wondering if taking a dietary supplement that is promoted for weight loss might help. If you take dietary supplements and medicines on a regular basis, be sure to discuss this with your healthcare provider.

In 1994, the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act relaxed the regulation of the dietary supplement industry. In the 1990s, ephedra was a popular ingredient in dietary supplements that were sold to lose weight and improve athletic performance. As a bonus, lifestyle changes that help you lose weight may also improve your mood and energy level and reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.