“Burn fat fast.”.
“Drop pounds naturally.”.
“Boost your metabolism overnight.”.
These promises are everywhere. But while they sound appealing, how often do such supplements actually work?
What Are Dietary Supplements, Really?
Dietary supplements are often marketed as health boosters. They come in pill, capsule, or powder form. They usually contain a mixture of vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, caffeine, and fibre.
A few supplements are designed to boost energy, a few to build muscle, others for fat los
However, let’s be clear about this: supplements are not medicines These cannot halt or treat illnesses. Moreover, it doesn’t mean that it can replace a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Who Oversees Supplement Safety?
In the U.S., supplement makers are tasked with making sure their products are safe and accurately labelled.
They do not have to seek FDA approval to go to the market. It indicates a product can be sold without clinical trials.
In case the FDA declares the supplement unsafe/later determines it misleading, it can issue warnings, or remove it from the shelves. But by then, thousands of people may have already taken it.
The Problem With Weight Loss Claims.
Weight loss supplements are often perceived as being safe and efficient. However, many supplements lack the clinical evidence to prove they are safe and effective.
Raspberry ketones are a common ingredient that is marketed for fat loss. A small study trialed a supplement with raspberry ketones along with other substances (including caffeine and bitter orange) for eight weeks. Participants did lose weight
— but.
• Group taking supplements lost ~ 1.9kg during study results.
• The placebo group shed approximately 0.4 kg (0.9 lb)
Sounds impressive? Maybe. But there’s a catch.
• The study was short.
• It had only 70 individuals.
• Since the supplement had multiple ingredients, it is not easy to conclude the exact cause of weight loss.
• The long-term side effects were not monitored.
In short, if there are not large, high-quality, long-term trials on a product, any “proof” that it works should be viewed with caution.
Natural Doesn’t Always Mean Safe.
Just because something is labelled “natural”, doesn’t mean it’s safe. Some weight loss supplements are linked to severe liver damage incidents, according to a study.
Some have been found to contain hidden prescription drugs.
One famous example is ephedra (ma huang), an herbal ingredient that used to be popular but which was banned by the FDA due to its connection to strokes, heart attacks, and seizures.
Even if a supplement doesn’t have any hidden drugs, it could still cause an allergic reaction or interact dangerously with medications.
Before You Buy: 1 Minute Assessment.
Don’t rush into consuming weight loss supplements; find the time to research. Sources you can trust, like the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health or the Office of Dietary Supplements, offer science-based information to help you find what works best for you.
Also, speak to your doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or taking any prescriptions.
Looking for a Safer, Smarter Way to Lose Weight Naturally?
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Thousands of people have switched to Mitolyn for lasting weight control because it is natural and science-based, and has no crash or harsh side effects. See how Mitolyn can fit your weight loss journey and try out Mitolyn today.
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