5 Weight Loss Supplements: The Good and The Bad

There are so many weight loss supplements available, and it can be difficult to figure out what actually works and what doesn’t among all the loud hype. Many of the current supplements no longer work the way they used to (see below), but a few do and a few show promise as up and coming weight loss supplements. In this article we will look at five popular supplements and their effectiveness and safety.

1. Green Tea: Popular as a weight loss supplement, it’s true that green tea can help increase your metabolism, which in theory can help you burn fat. However, its probably a small effect and won’t make a huge difference to your dieting efforts. Green tea does help lower cholesterol, though, and so it may still be a healthy addition to your diet.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Several studies have proven a potentially significant effect from taking apple cider vinegar. Weight loss in obese people in a study performed in Japan was significantly higher than in those who did not take it. Like green tea, it may also help lower cholesterol.

3. Hoodia: An appetite suppressant, this herbal comes from Africa and has been used for years to help lose weight. However, studies have not proven its effectiveness nor its long term safety, and there have been concerns that the amounts in supplements may not be enough to be effective. This one is probably better left alone.

4. hCG: A human hormone used as a pregnancy marker in pregnancy test kits, this is given by injection and allegedly helps keep weight loss confined to fat instead of lean (good) weight. The problem is that most studies on it have not shown an effect and hence most doctors will not prescribe hCG for weight loss. Difficult to get, and might not be effective.

5. Ephedra: This was the gold standard for weight loss supplements for years, before the FDA banned it in the US in 2004. It increases metabolism, but along with that it also increases blood pressure and heart rate which can lead to strokes and heart attacks in some people. Since it’s no longer available and potentially dangerous, it is not recommended.