The Skinny on Weight Loss Supplements at Her Active Life

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The Skinny on Weight Loss Supplements

Posted May 22, 2008 at 11:00 AM by Kathleen Blanchard

Section: Her Health, Her Nutrition, Healthy Eating

face Everyone seems to want to lose weight. The sale of weight loss supplements is big business. The question is, do they work, and if so, how do they accomplish what they claim?

Guidelines from The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease suggest that weight loss supplements can be recommended to high risk patients after six months of traditional weight loss methods - cutting calories, exercising, and behavioral modification.

Here’s some genuine information about some of the most popular supplements:

Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
The weight loss supplement Alli is FDA approved and doesn’t require a prescription. It is the same as the prescription orlistat (Xenical), but you can only purchase it half strength. Side effects occur when you consume more fat than is recommended. It works by blocking fat absorption by 25% to 33%, without systemic side effects.

According to a recent review, 378 patients were treated for sixteen weeks with either orlistat 60 mg 3 times a day or a placebo. Both groups consumed a reduced-calorie diet and were given self instructional materials. Those who took orlistat, 60 mg. three times a day had significant weight loss, compared to the group who took the placebo.

Chromium
Only a few studies can be found that support chromium for altering body composition. It can be toxic to the liver and really should be avoided.

Bitter Orange
The effects of bitter orange are similar to ephedra. The evidence that it produces weight loss is sparse, and it can elevate heart rate and blood pressure. It can be especially dangerous for anyone with heart disease, and should be avoided.

Hoodia
Hoodia is popular, and studies have shown it can provide weight loss without side effects. One study showed that seven participants were able to lose about 10 pounds over 28 days, but medical studies are not abundant.

White Kidney Bean Extract
At least one study has shown that white kidney bean extract can indeed alter body mass to a modest degree. It is advertised as a “carb blocker”, and acts by delaying the absorption of carbohydrates and sugars.

Take Home Message
Don’t assume that weight loss supplements are safe. If you decide to use a supplement, please let your healthcare provider know. There are many more on the market than those listed - medical evidence hasn’t proven they work. Chromium and bitter orange are dangerous and worth mentioning.

Remember, your first course of action to get in shape and stay there for life is through calorie restriction, exercise, good nutrition, and an average night’s sleep.

Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/12613

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Tags: bitter orange, blanchard, calories, chromium, hoodia, orlistat, sorting through non-prescription weight loss supplements, weight loss, weight loss supplement, white kidney bean extract

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8 Responses to “The Skinny on Weight Loss Supplements” (Leave a reply)

Nikki said:

Hello, and thanks for posting this review of weight loss supplements. My name is Nikki and I work for the Dietry Supplememnt Information Bureau (DSIB), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting accurate, science-based information about dietary supplements. I don’t know if you are aware of this, but because of an FDA petition made by GlaxoSmithKline, maker of the drug Alli you refer to, all dietary supplements that make weight loss claims could be taken off the market. We at DSIB are concerned about this issue, and are looking to hear more from consumers. Please visit our latest blog entry at http://supplementinfo.org/GSK and learn more about this issue and have your say. Our site does not sell any products. Thanks, and we hope to hear from you!
May 22, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Kathleen said:

Hi Nikki,

Thank you!

I was not aware, and I’ve visited your site. Very interesting to say the least.
May 22, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Eriacta said:

most of the weight loss pills are nothing but scam in my opinion. ofcourse there are some that work, but most are scam
May 23, 2008 at 01:53 AM
neil martin from sheffield said:

supplements can work when taken with advice,with exercise and diet. Has anyone heard that Ephedra is back.
May 23, 2008 at 06:41 AM
Amanda O'Brien from London said:

As the patron saint of dieting I must admit I’ve tried numerous dieting pills although I have never found them to work. I have PCOS and personally found that dieting pills made me crave carbs to the point of distraction! I’ve been known to burst into tears walking down the bread isles in the local supermarket as I’ve had to resist the temptation to gorge on bread pasta and potatos!...bad eh?! I have honestly found the best way to lose weight is to do it yourself, diets such as the ones listed here - http://www.lovelifehatediets.co.uk/diets.html
simply aren’t sustainable which means the weight goes straight back on, you can’t take slimming pills for life and nor can you eat just grapefruit and drink black coffee for the rest of your life. Respect your body enough to give it the nutrients it deserves after all you only get one body!
Thanks for the informative article guys
May 27, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Kathleen said:

Amanda,
Thanks for your comment. You’re right, of course. Setting good eating and exercise habits for life are the best ways accomplish and sustain weight loss. Too many people risk serious health threats as the result of obesity. Recommendations for healthcare providers say weight loss pills can be attempted, next surgical intervention.

It’s great to hear from someone who has tried supplements. When they are effective, again, the weight loss is usually modest, but you absolutely have to engage your physician or other for guidance and safety. If supplements are going to work, it still is through a combination of exercise and good eating. Even modifying your diet can be difficult in terms of sustaining healthy eating habits. What you eat has to be satisfying. Frustration about what you cannot eat is not good. We get back to moderation, not deprivation.

Thanks for your visit.
May 27, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Ada said:

Nice blog, I’ve been getting a bit lost trying to figurer out what weight loss supplements I should try, so many claiming they are good but I haven’t a clue what they really do which makes them good. A friend is recommending I try butterbur extract but I’m so sure if it’s healthy in the long run. Orlistat seems to be one of the safest options here.
August 15, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Kathleen said:

Hi Ada,

I’m not at all familiar with butterbur extract, but in reading, it appears it is a bladder anti-spasmodic, and also capable of producing liver damage, so be careful.

Certainly speak with your doctor about a supplement. A GI (glycemic index) diet is really good for weight loss, and studies do support the notion that we need to look at how food is converted in the body. You may want to check it out.

Here is a link:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/560247

Remember that weight loss supplements help, but most only provide modest weight loss - nothing magical, and yes Orlistat or it’s prescription counterpart Xenical may be worth discussing with your doctor, especially in terms of safety.

Good luck, and thanks for your comment.
August 15, 2008 at 09:51 AM