Supplements for Weight Loss

July 4, 2022Claire Allen, MS, RDN, LDNBrowse by Staff MemberCLAIRE ALLEN, MS, RDN, LDNDiet, Exercise & Healthy LivingDiet & NutritionIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Obesity

Supplements for Weight Loss

by Claire Allen, RD

Weight loss supplements continue to gain popularity in North America to help treat obesity. Launches of new products tripled in 2021 compared to the year prior. But, do these supplements really work, and is there science to support the claims? Below are a few popular weight loss supplements on the market, and what the research says.

Supplement: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Health Claims: Curbs appetite and increase fat metabolism.

Research: Recent 2020 review article of 13 human studies deemed the evidence for health effects to be insufficient.

Side effects: Throat & stomach upset due to acidity.

Supplement: CAFFEINE AND STIMULANT CONTAINING INGREDIENTS

Ingredient Names: Green tea leaf extract, green coffee bean extract, guarana, kola nut, and yerba mate

Health Claims: May increase thermogenesis and fat oxidation by stimulating the central nervous system, heart, muscles, and colon.

Research: Clinical trials don’t show significant weight loss results. Long-term studies suggest a potential relationship for modulating weight gain.

Side effects: Nervousness, jitters, and rapid heart rate

Supplement: XYLOOLIGOSACCHARIDES

Foods Found In: Naturally in some foods, including bamboo shoots, fruits, vegetables, milk, and honey.

Health Claims: Prebiotic fibers such as xylooligosaccharides and other oligosaccharides are being studied more because of their potential role in the relationship between a healthy microbiome and body weight. Products range from single prebiotic fibers to prebiotic/probiotic combinations that may be marketed as synbiotics.

Research: A 2020 literature review concluded that synbiotics appear to benefit weight reduction and metabolism by modulating the gut microbiome but that large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to determine ideal dose, duration of supplementation, benefits, and safety in weight management.

Side Effects: Some oligosaccharides and prebiotic fibers have been shown to cause symptoms of gas, bloat and distention for those individuals with IBS.

If you are tired of looking for a “quick fix” to weight loss that isn’t working, consider our Weight Management Program which is built on the premise of comprehensive care and is committed to addressing the root of our patients’ health issues. To learn more about Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health’s collaborative approach to weight management and gastrointestinal health, please call 224-407-4400, or email info@compgihealth.com.