Are weight loss supplements really effective?

1. What are dietary supplements?

Dietary supplements are one of the types of products widely used in the 21st century. Most supplements today provide essential nutrients for the body, such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These supplements are typically consumed in oral form, either as soluble powder or in capsules and tablets. Dietary supplements are not medications, and, of course, they are not intended to treat diseases.

Weight loss supplements are considered nutritional support pills that provide essential nutrients to the body, with low energy content and ingredients that aid in weight loss. The components in these supplements help the body burn fat, reduce fat absorption, and boost metabolism.

Additionally, weight loss supplements help control daily food cravings and eliminate unnecessary excess fat, which is a major cause of weight gain. Currently, there are hundreds of different types of weight loss supplements available on the market. These typically contain herbal ingredients and chemical compounds with diverse mechanisms for weight loss. However, weight loss through dietary supplements is not fully recommended by scientists and nutrition experts.

2. Are weight loss supplements truly effective?

2.1 The mechanism of weight loss supplements

According to researchers, most weight loss supplements operate on two main mechanisms: blocking the body's absorption of fat or stimulating increased metabolism. While there are benefits, these two mechanisms of weight loss supplements also bring certain disadvantages and side effects that can impact users' health.

• Fat-blocking mechanism: Weight loss supplements can help the body eliminate fat through a process called "fat blocking." The chemicals in these supplements are often extracted from shellfish, such as shrimp and crab, and are known as chitosan. Chitosan is a substance that binds to the fat in the food we eat and prevents the body from absorbing it. Thanks to this process, fat is expelled from the body rather than absorbed, aiding in weight loss. However, this mechanism comes with two significant drawbacks. First, chitosan not only blocks fat but may also block other essential nutrients, affecting the body's ability to absorb them. Second, the blocked fat still needs to exit the body, which can lead to digestive issues. The digestive problems you might encounter include stomach pain, uncontrollable digestion discomfort, and diarrhea.
• Fat-burning mechanism: Weight loss supplements that work by burning fat typically contain a combination of stimulants extracted from herbs, essential fatty acids, chromium picolinate, pyruvate, or hydroxycitric acid. Herbal stimulants often include caffeine and ephedrine, as well as guarana and ma huang. Typically, two or three of these stimulants are combined in a weight loss product, often paired with aspirin or willow bark. They are believed to boost energy while promoting fat burning. Many manufacturers and health experts agree that these supplements can be effective when used in conjunction with exercise. However, not everyone can safely use these stimulants, and you must consider your health condition before using such weight loss supplements.

Researchers have noted that the metabolism-boosting, fat-burning mechanism of weight loss supplements can cause side effects. For example, ephedra, derived from the ma huang plant, can raise blood pressure and cause heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, and strokes. Additionally, people who lose weight using these supplements may experience elevated blood pressure even after discontinuing their use.

2.2 Should you lose weight using dietary supplements?

Which supplements should you take to lose weight, and do weight loss supplements actually help you achieve your desired figure and improve your health? According to numerous expert opinions, dietary supplements can be a good supportive option in your weight loss journey. However, careful consideration is needed before purchasing supplements, and they should not be over-relied upon as the primary method for weight loss.

Achieving a desirable figure requires a combination of methods, such as exercise, dieting, and using supplements, which can enhance your results. Additionally, some supplements on the market today do not require approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, if a supplement is found to be unsafe, the FDA may issue warnings or demand its removal from the market. Therefore, it is essential to review the ingredients, origin, and potential side effects before deciding to use any particular supplement.

In general, many weight loss supplements are readily available on the market, making them easy to find and use. However, health experts recommend that traditional weight loss methods like dieting and exercise still provide the best long-term health benefits. Supplements should only be seen as an additional tool to make the weight loss process more effective and should not be relied upon excessively.

Moreover, many people are now seeking scientific weight loss methods to ensure sustainability and safety for their health, one of which is the energy depletion therapy.

This method not only helps eliminate fat at the cellular level but also effectively monitors your overall health and underlying conditions. Before undergoing energy depletion therapy, doctors will conduct blood tests and measure body mass index (BMI), after which they will create a personalized plan for nutrition and exercise. After each session, your body will have improved metabolism, providing sufficient energy for daily activities without storing excess fat and without the sensation of hunger, thus reducing the need for additional caloric intake.