A study shows that herbal (but not limited to) dietary supplements are not effective and safe for weight loss
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousA new study concluded that, to date, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of dietary and herbal supplements to aid weight loss. From what has been shown, in fact, these would not have the desired effects and there are also doubts regarding long-term safety.
Many people turn to supplements in hopes of losing weight. These are products that are often required to perform a real "miracle" allowing you to lose weight without great effort.
A real comprehensive review of previous research on herbal and dietary supplements for weight loss has now been conducted. This analyzed 121 randomized placebo-controlled trials in which around 10 people participated.
The effect and safety of supplements containing a whole plant or combinations of plants as an active ingredient was investigated, as well as dietary supplements containing isolated compounds found in nature and produced by animals, such as fiber, fat, protein and antioxidants. .
The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) that is taking place online these days, suggests that although some of these supplements promote statistically greater weight loss than placebo, it is not enough to prove that they are really effective as well. health benefits. The authors call for further research to investigate their long-term safety.
The herbal supplements included in the analysis were: green tea; Garcinia cambogia and mangosteen (tropical fruits); white bean; ephedra (a stimulant that increases metabolism); African mango; yerba mate; grape veld (commonly used in traditional Indian medicine); licorice root; and East Indian Wild Thistle (used in Ayurvedic medicine).
The results showed that their use for weight loss cannot be justified based on the current evidence.
“Over-the-counter herbal and dietary supplements promoted for weight loss are increasingly popular, but unlike drugs, clinical trials for their safety and efficacy are not needed before they enter the market. Our rigorous evaluation of the best available data finds that there is not enough evidence to recommend these supplements for weight loss. While most supplements appear safe for short-term consumption, they will not provide clinically significant weight loss, ”said Erica Bessell of the University of Sydney in Australia, lead author of the research.
The analysis found that only a single agent, white kidney beans, produced statistically, but not clinically, greater weight loss than placebo (-1,61 kg). Additionally, some combination preparations containing African mango, veld grape, East Indian thistle, and mangosteen have shown promising results, but have been studied in three or even fewer studies, often with poor methodology. The results therefore should be interpreted with caution, the researchers argue.
The study also analyzed research that compared the effect of dietary supplements such as chitosan (a complex sugar found in the hard outer layers of lobsters, crabs and shrimps that promises to block the absorption of fat or carbohydrates); glucomannan (a soluble fiber found in konjac roots, which promotes a feeling of fullness); fructans (a carbohydrate made up of fructose chains) and conjugated linoleic acid (which promises to change body composition by decreasing fat).
The analysis found that chitosan (-1,84 kg), glucomannan (-1,27 kg) and conjugated linoleic acid (-1,08 kg) resulted in weight loss statistically, but not clinically, significant compared to placebo.
In short, from this review of the studies, the so-called "slimming" supplements do not come out well at all. Among other things, we should remember that, even if extracted from natural substances, they are still products that are not risk-free and that at times can interfere with some drugs.
Font: The Guardian / BBC
Read also:
- 5 things you should consider before taking any supplements
