Can supplements help me lose weight?

Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Initially Posted: 01/04/2015 | Last Updated: 08/04/2017

Answer:

ConsumerLab.com (CL) has reviewed the research behind nearly every popular type of weight loss supplement including caffeine and other stimulants, chromium, glucomannan, green coffee bean extract, green tea, Garcinia cambogia, and white kidney bean extract. It has also tested the quality of many products which claim to contain these ingredients. Although preliminary evidence suggests that a few may help with modest weight loss in the short-term, none has been evaluated in a long-term study. No supplement has been shown to be more effective than an improved diet and increased exercise although some may slightly enhance the benefits.

There are risks with many of these ingredients, most commonly gastrointestinal side-effects and negative effects on blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In addition, when a new ingredient receives media attention and companies rush to sell it, ConsumerLab.com has found that many marketed products do not actually contain the listed amount of ingredient.

You can get all the details in the Weight Loss Supplements Review >>