Over-the-Counter Weight Loss Supplements

"I don't think they work but what do you think of weight loss pills?" This is one of my most frequently asked questions. Most people know they do not work but are hoping I may say "try xxx brand as it causes people to lose at least 10 pounds each week!" As much as we hope there is a magic pill, it does not exist especially for over-the-counter supplements.

A recent German study looked at the effects of nine over-the-counter weight loss supplements including L-Carnitine, Polyglucosamine, Cabbage powder, Guarana seed powder, Bean extract, Konjac extract, Fiber pills, Sodium alginate formulations, and selected plant extracts. Just under 200 people were given one of the previously listed supplements or a fake pill each week for eight weeks in the doses recommended by the manufacturers. Identical nutrition advice was given to each person. The weight loss across all the products and the fake pill were almost identical indicating that the supplements did not help the participants lose weight.

In the UK, a study was done looking at all the other studies previously done on the following weight loss supplements: Chromium picolinate, Ephedra, Bitter orange, Conjugated linoleic acid, Calcium, Guar gum, Glucomannan, Chitosan, Green tea. After analyzing the studies, the researcher concluded, "We found no evidence that any of these food supplements studied is an adequate treatment for reducing body weight."

Over-the-counter weight loss supplements are a $13 billion a year industry. Can you think of anything better to do with $13 billion?