Do Weight loss Supplements work? “No,” Says New Research.
Despite claims that they can boost your metabolism and halt your appetite, over-the-counter slimming supplements are a waste of time, says expert.
The so-called ‘obesity epidemic’ has seen a boon in weight-loss supplements, and annual global sales are estimated to be over $13 billion.
Dr Ellrott, of the University of Gottingen Medical School in Germany, took nine popular slimming supplements and nine placebo pills, to see if there was any difference in the results they achieved. Overweight volunteers were unaware whether they had been given fake or real tablets and took them for eight weeks.
Although most lost a few pounds, those on placebo pills shed just as much weight as those on the slimming supplements.
Researcher Thomas Ellrott said: ‘There are scores of slimming supplements out there claiming weight-loss effects through all sorts of mechanisms of action.
‘We have so-called fat magnets, mobilizers and dissolvers, as well as appetite tamers, metabolism boosters, carb blockers and so on. The market for these is huge, but unlike for regulated drugs, effectiveness does not have to be proven for these to be sold.
‘Few of these supplements have been submitted to clinical trials and the landscape of products is always changing, so we need to put them through rigorous scientific evaluation to determine whether they have any benefit..’
The findings show the importance of properly prescribed weight loss supplements and the benefits of following a weight loss programme ran by a professional clinic.
