Do weight loss supplements actually work?

Ever-Wonder

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There are a number of different diet pills out there all promising wonders in weight-loss. From the main players we will find out whats in them and how their magic ingredients is supposed to shed the pounds. Where possible we have included study’s to help show proof of their performance or lack of.

 SVETOL®


SVETOL® (green coffee extract) is the trade name of an extract called Chlorogenic acid which is extracted from green coffee beans (unroasted coffee beans), the extract is said to reduce the body’s ability to absorb carbohydrates from food, the effect is only short-lived therefore the extract is advised to be taken with your 3 main meals. Evidence to prove that Svetol actually works is limited and one of the study’s conducted was funded by a pharmaceutical company that markets the substance as a weight loss product.

Study: A small 22 week study carried out by Scranton university showed 16 overweight men and women lost and average of 17 pounds. The people in the study did not alter their diets and were physically active, they also lost more as the dose was increased. The doses given were 700mg up to  1050mg. A publication from Pubmed stated that the results were “consistent with both human and animal studies” and that the results also suggest that the extract “may be effective nutraceutical in reducing weight”.[1]

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22291473

Reported side effects: Headache

*Average customer review: 3.5/5

*Information obtained from customer reviews which are not solely based on the product efficacy

 XLS-Medical & LIPObind™

XLS-Medical & LIPObind™ are made up of both soluble and non-soluble fibers which are patented as the substance Litramine™. Litramine is a plant extract and is alleged to work in 3 ways.

The fibers bind to fat that is in the digestive system and prevents the body from absorbing a portion of it. Since fat is very calorie dense this approach would help cut the calorie intake by a respectable amount.

The soluble fibers swell up in the stomach which makes you feel fuller for longer

The fibers also help slow digestion of carbohydrates which help smooth the blood glucose levels which reduces cravings.

There are number of decent study’s out there proving the effect of Litramine in aiding weight loss, aiding being the important word, the diet still needs to be in check but Litramine will help accelerate the weight loss.

Study: A 2012 study conducted by the obesity society showed that litramine was effective at reducing body weight. The study included 123 subjects who completed the 12 week treatment phase. The graph below uses the data extracted from the study and shows that around 76% of subjects taking litramine lost at least 3% of their body weight at the end of the treatment phase.[1]

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23505169

Litramine weight loss

Reported side effects: Feeling bloated, diarrhea

*Average Customer Review: 2.5/5

*Information obtained from customer reviews which are not solely based on the product efficacy

 Adios™ 

Adios™ is a herbal combination of fucus (sea weed), boldo and dandelion root. So what is each of these herbs supposed role in weight loss?

  • Boldo is an evergreen shrub native to central Chile and Peru. It is a diuretic and is likely added to reduce your body weight by losing extra water not fat.
  • Dandelion root is another diuretic and again is likely added to encourage you to lose extra water not fat.
  • Juglans cinerea (white walnut) is a laxative and is said to aid digestion. Laxatives can assist weight loss as they prevent your body from absorbing all the nutrients from food however with the dosage found here i’m doubtful this will have any real effect on weight loss.
  • Fucus, the main ingredient contains iodine which the thyroid needs to maintain a healthy metabolism, this may help speed your metabolism especially if you are iodine deficient.

It is worth noting that prolonged high intake of iodine can cause thyroid problems which could cause weight gain in the future.

Study: No credible studies found. (January 2015)

Reported side effects: Hair loss, stomach pains, frequent urination, headache and nausea.

*Average Customer Review: 3/5

*Information obtained from customer reviews which are not solely based on the product efficacy

 Green Tea Extract

Green tea is said be excellent at a number of things, weight loss is supposedly one of them. The main antioxident  in green tea is called catechins and this is made up of several parts; epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is thought to be main derivative when it come to weight loss. The compound is said to work in a number of ways to reduce weight.

  • increase fat excretion
  • increase metabolism and fat oxidation
  • inhibit fat cell development
  • prolong metabolic boosts after exercise

 Studys:

A study involving 10 men with a range of body fat percentages were assigned to a respiratory chamber to measure their metabolic rates on 3 different occasions. The first being  green tea extract (50 mg caffeine and 90 mg epigallocatechin gallate). Second,caffeine (50 mg), and Third placebo, which they took at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The caffeine and placebo results were similar while the EGCG showed an increase in metabolic rate of 4%. [1] [2]

[1] – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10584049
[2] – http://www.nutritionexpress.com/article+index/authors/jeff+s+volek+phd+rd/showarticle.aspx?id=330

*Average customer review: 4/5

*Information obtained from customer reviews which are not solely based on the product efficacy

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