Weight Loss Supplements Guide

Introduction

The use of natural weight loss supplements falls under the category of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), which is defined by the National Institutes of Health as: "a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine."

The field of quality CAM research is still quite young, and most of the natural weight loss products on the market have not been studied by randomized controlled trials.
Most research has only been done on single ingredients, not combinations of supplements.
In order to recommend the use of herbs or other weight loss supplements, there needs to be sufficient good evidence about a product's quality, safety, and efficacy. Currently, too little is known, for any product to be recommended by conventional medicine.

Nevertheless, some weight loss supplements have initial research that appears promising.
By clicking on any of the natural weight loss pills below, you can see scientific information on which ones may have benefits as well as known side effects.

It is commonly believed that any natural or herbal product is completely safe.
As mentioned above, these natural weight loss products can have side effects. For example, ephedra can cause heart attacks, stroke, and death.
In 2004, the FDA banned the sale of ephedra dietary supplements. In addition, some products can interact with prescription drugs.

Because of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, natural weight loss supplements are not required to prove that they are safe or that they actually work before they can be sold.

Because the adoption of good manufacturing practices is not mandatory in this industry, quality and contamination can be uncertain.
Chemicals in prescription medications have shown up in these products. Sildenafil (Viagra), lovastatin (Mevacor), estrogen, alprazolam (Xanax), and warfarin (Coumadin) are some examples.

To better inform yourself on any natural weight loss supplement listed in the table below, click on each product's name.

Name	Proposed Mechanism of Action	Main Side Effects
Acai Berry	none	unknown
Apple Cider Vinegar	Increased sense of fullness	Irritability, nervousness, and palpitations
Caffeine	Increase energy expenditure	High blood pressure, fast heartbeat, chest pain, restlessness, insomnia
Cascara	Laxative	Potassium loss, electrolyte imbalances, decreased drug absorption
Chitosan	Block dietary fat absorption	Block absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, may interfere with blood clotting, may cause low blood sugar
Chromium	Modulate carbohydrate metabolism	Production of free-radicals, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)	Increase fat oxidation or Reduce fat synthesis	Mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms
Dandelion	Increase water elimination	Electrolyte imbalance and increased bleeding
Ephedra	Increase energy expenditure	High blood pressure, abnormal heartbeats, heart attack, stroke, seizure, death
Ginseng	Modulate carbohydrate metabolism	Abnormal bleeding, fast heart rate; should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with kidney failure
Glucomannan	Increase sense of fullness	Stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, nausea, vomiting
Green Tea	Increase fat oxidation or Reduce fat synthesis	Bleeding risks, caffeine side effects if not decaffeinated
Guar Gum	Increase sense of fullness	Stomach pain, gas, diarrhea
Guggul	Lowers cholesterol and causes release of thyroid hormone	Gastrointestinal upset, interferes with blood clotting, medicine interaction, avoid in pregnancy and thyroid disease
Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii or P57)	Appetite suppressant	None yet known
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) or Garcinia cambogia	Increase fat oxidation or Reduce fat synthesis	low blood sugar, may interact with medicines
Hydroxy- methyl butyrate	Builds muscle	None known
L-Carnitine	Increase fat oxidation or Reduce fat synthesis	Gastrointestinal symptoms; avoid in liver disease
Licorice	Increase fat oxidation or Reduce fat synthesis	low potassium, high blood pressure, swelling, risk of bleeding, avoid in pregnant and breast feeding women
Psyllium	Increase sense of fullness	Diarrhea, stomach cramps, constipation, bowel obstruction
Pyruvate	Increase fat oxidation or Reduce fat synthesis	Gas, bloating, diarrhea
Salacia root	Acts on multiple cell receptors and processes	Unknown but appears to be minimal
Spirulina (Blue-green algae)	Appetite-suppressant	Avoid in people with phenylketonuria (PKU)
St. John's Wort	Enhanced mood	Hypertensive crisis, mania, drug interactions, should be avoided by pregnant women
Vitamin B5	Increase fat oxidation or Reduce fat synthesis	Gastrointestinal symptoms
Yohimbine	Increases energy expenditure	Fast heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, tremors, panic attacks