Weight Loss Supplement Reviews

Weight-Loss Supplement Reviews

It is estimated that “more than two-third of adults and almost one-third of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese. Forty-five percent of overweight Americans and 67% of those who are obese are trying to lose weight,” based on information from the National Institutes of Health.

About 15% of men and women have chosen to use weight-loss supplements to improve their chances of losing more. Only a small percentage of weight-loss supplements are proven to have a verifiable effect on weight loss. With medical journals, research studies, expert opinions and university papers under our belts, we’re offering you an inside look at supplements in our weight-loss supplement reviews.

What is a Weight-Loss Supplement?

Put simply, it is any dietary supplement that claims to improve weight loss. Products range from single ingredients to complicated formulas. In the case of weight-loss supplements, more is not necessarily better. You’re looking for just the right number of ingredients in just the right amounts with clinical evidence to back up claims.

Weight-Loss Supplement Ingredients

There are some ingredients in weight-loss supplements that do help to increase metabolism and spark weight loss. These are supported with clinical research on humans, not animals. Look for caffeine, green tea, chromium, pyruvate and white kidney bean. If you’re having trouble finding the ingredients, check out weight-loss supplement reviews as users may have shared them.

Caffeine

Even if caffeine is not listed on the label for a weight-loss supplement that doesn’t mean the stimulant is not in there. Sources of caffeine include green tea, white tea, black tea, yerba mate, guarana and kola nut. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, “a 100 mg dose of caffeine…increased energy expenditure by a mean of 9.2 kcal/hr more than placebo in healthy humans. Caffeine might also contribute to weight loss by increasing fat oxidation.”

Green Tea

Green tea is part of many weight-loss supplements, but there is a trick to using it. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “Green tea catechins combined with caffeine over a median of 12 weeks modestly yet significantly reduced body weight.”

Chromium

Research shows chromium supplements may have a positive effect on weight loss. According to the journal Obesity Reviews, “The evidence from available RCTs [randomized clinical trials] shows that chromium supplementation generates statistically significant reductions in body weight.”

Pyruvate

According to the journal Nutrition, “the ingestion of 6 g of pyruvate for 6 wk, in conjunction with mild physical activity, resulted in a significant decrease in body weight and fat mass.”

White Kidney Bean

According to the International Journal of Medical Sciences, “after 30 days, subjects receiving Phaseolus vulgaris extract [white kidney bean] with a carbohydrate-rich, 2000- to 2200-calorie diet had significantly greater reduction of body weight, BMI, [and] fat mass.”

Do Weight-Loss Supplement Ingredients Work?

There are some ingredients with limited research supporting efficacy.

Calcium

The Annals of Internal Medicine highlighted research from a two-year study. “Dietary supplementation with elemental calcium, 1500 mg/d, for 2 years had no statistically or clinically significant effects on weight in overweight and obese adults.”

Coleus Forskohlii

According to the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, “Results suggest that CF [coleus forskohlii] does not appear to promote weight loss but may help mitigate weight gain.”

Hoodia Gordonii

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the use of hoodia gordonii “did not show any significant effects on energy intakes or body weights relative to the placebo.”

Raspberry Ketones

There’s limited research into the benefits of raspberry ketones. According to the journal Food & Function, in a mouse study, “RK supplementation has limited benefit to adipose loss beyond reducing energy intake.” This study involved mice and not humans.

Final Thoughts on Weight Loss Supplements

The dietary supplement market accounts for more than $6 billion in sales each year. That means there are more than a few people out there looking for alternative solutions to problems like weight loss and overall health – or they simply want to maintain current health. When it comes to the weight-loss supplement, you can find one that works to help increase metabolism, but you have to find one with just the right amount of clinically proven ingredients. And, never underestimate the importance of weight-loss supplement reviews.