Why are some dietary supplements for weight loss ineffective?

It may be tempting to attempt a fad diet or weight-loss supplements if you're trying to reduce weight. According to the National Institutes of Health, 15% of individuals in the United States have used a weight-loss dietary supplement at some point in their lives.

Weight-loss supplements, on the other hand, may promise quick results but may not be effective or safe to use. The US Food and Drug Administration does not require approval for dietary supplements, including those for weight loss (FDA). Furthermore, there is inconsistent evidence regarding their efficacy. On the other hand, the FDA has approved some weight-loss drugs that are considered safe. These can only be obtained with the help of a doctor's prescription.

Here's everything you need to know about weight-loss pills and how they stack up against pharmaceutical drugs.

What are dietary supplements, and how do you use them?

Dietary supplements for weight loss can be taken as tablets, liquids, or powders, and many of them contain dozens of components such as herbs, plant fibers, or caffeine. These dietary supplements, unlike prescription drugs, do not require FDA approval before being promoted or sold. This implies that the FDA is not required to pre-approve these items, and producers are solely responsible for ensuring that they are safe to use.

While many of these weight-loss pills are available for purchase, that does not guarantee they are safe to use. Manufacturers may make false promises regarding their products or incorporate components not specified on the container, such as medicines or active chemicals in medications. The FDA has the authority to take a supplement off the market if it is discovered to be hazardous. On the internet, you can find a list of tainted weight-loss products.

Why are weight-loss supplements ineffective or dangerous?

The evidence for weight-loss pills and the chemicals found in them vary greatly. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, there is often little or inconsistent evidence behind weight-loss products. For example, research on animals or in a lab may have taken place, but not with actual humans. Other studies are either too short, too small, or of poor quality, implying that the data are insufficient to demonstrate that items operate.

Another difficulty is that while studies may focus on a single ingredient, weight-loss supplements typically contain a combination of substances. Furthermore, differences in ingredients, quantities, and dosages make it impossible to isolate the effect of a single substance or compare research. This fact sheet from the Office of Dietary Pills provides an overview of the evidence for several components used in weight-loss supplements.

How can you tell whether a product is tainted?

Some weight-loss products have been found to contain prescription components, according to the FDA. While some of these products have been taken from the market, others are still available. To spot possibly tainted items, search for phrases like "drop 10 pounds in one week," "fast remedy," "guaranteed," "scientific breakthrough," "rapid and effective," or "completely safe," according to the FDA. These claims could be false or lack adequate evidence to support them.

The FDA recommends that any weight-loss claims that seem too wonderful to be true are most likely false. Also be aware of items that claim to be a herbal alternative to an FDA-approved prescription or medication and are advertised in a foreign language or by mass emails.

What role does prescription medication have in weight loss?

Prescription drugs, unlike dietary supplements, are FDA-approved for both short- and long-term usage. Xenical or Alli (Orlistat), Qsymia, Contrave, and Saxenda are some of the FDA-approved weight-loss drugs. These may help you lose weight by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs, suppressing your appetite, or making ye or by mass emails.

In a 2012 research in Europe, for example, participants who used Orlistat in conjunction with a restricted diet for two years lost more weight than those who merely had a restricted diet and took a placebo medicine. Furthermore, the Orlistat group gained less weight in the second year than the placebo group.

People who used weight loss medication for a year or more lost 4 percent to 8% of their body weight, according to a meta-analysis published in 2020 that looked at numerous weight-reduction research published in recent years. Furthermore, they dropped up to 6.8% more weight than those who did not take the drug.

Some persons who take these medications may develop nausea, constipation, or diarrhea, although symptoms are usually minor and will pass with time. A doctor may consider altering the dose or medicine for patients who are experiencing persistent side effects.

If you're thinking about taking supplements, talk to your doctor first.

Your doctor or other health-care professional can assist you in weighing the risks and advantages of taking particular weight-loss supplements. It's also crucial to inform them of any medical issues or prescriptions you're taking, as supplement ingredients might interact with medications and create undesired side effects.

It's a good idea to talk to your doctor about supplements, a diet, or any other lifestyle change you're considering to lose weight so they can advise you on the best practices.

Lifestyle modifications such as eating a balanced diet, consuming less calories, and engaging in physical activity, according to health authorities, are the most effective ways to lose weight and keep it off in the long run.

A doctor may recommend weight-loss prescription drugs or bariatric surgery if necessary.