Struggling with weight loss is an all-too-common problem these days, particularly with stay-at-home schedules ensuring you’re never more than a few metres away from a tempting snack or meal. Although the best way to shed those unwanted pounds is to cut back on the calories and instate a rigid fitness regime, some wellness companies are also marketing the use of dietary supplements that can apparently have you reaching your summer-bod goals too. But while these pills are tempting, the devil is in the details and not everything is as it seems…
Nutritional supplements normally contain one of countless substances such as vitamins, minerals, fibre, caffeine, herbs and other plants that our bodies already produce to aid performance and various bodily functions, in addition to providing nutrients that the body either isn’t producing or getting enough of, which – if the promotional literature of dietary supplement companies are to be believed –are essential for staying healthy and maintaining weight.
Common nutritional supplements that are proven to work are creatine and protein supplements, which are usually packaged in powder form in a variety of flavours to dilute in water, mixed into a shake or even baked into cookies. They have been proven to support the body in functioning better and recovering faster after a work-out, according to several studies published by the US National Institutes of Health. They also promote muscle growth and boost the body’s natural metabolism, resulting in the body burn more fat. But nutritional supplements are only as effective as a person’s exercise and diet. Using protein supplements in the absence of resistance training can easily translate to extra calories the body just doesn’t need.
Some products, however, may claim to help lose weight or treat health conditions, but because the supplements are not regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), outlandish claims on advertisements leave consumers vulnerable to health risks. This is particularly the case if taken in combination with other medication, especially when a person has an underlying ailment. At best, these products may afford some medical benefits, but by and large, they seem to be money-making scams with no proven effects. Take, for example, raspberry ketone – a natural phenolic compound that is the primary aroma compound of red raspberries – which according to Mayo Clinic was inaccurately marketed as having weight-loss benefits, with rigorous testing revealing it to not have any effect at all.
Meanwhile, there have been weight-loss medications approved by the FDA such as naltrexone-bupropion, commonly known as Contrave, which manages chronic obesity in adults in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Lorcaserin, on the other hand, branded as Belviq, is a weight-loss drug developed activates a type of serotonin receptor known as the 5-HT2C receptor in the brain to reduce appetite. These medications are are prescribed by doctors to treat obesity and diabetes as well as complement weight-loss plans designed by a qualified doctor or nutritionist. They come in the form of pills or injections to treat diabetes and obesity and suppresses the body’s appetite or reduce its ability to absorb fats from food.
They are FDA approved as a weight-loss tools though taking the advice of the National Institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases, medications do not and should not substitute healthy habits such as exercise and a nutritious diet. Studies show that weight-loss medications work best when combined with a lifestyle program.
Between nutritional supplements and weight-loss medications, although there have been proven benefits delivered by well-known nutritional supplements brands, excessive intake and false advertising do pose risks for future health concerns. Whereas weight-loss medications are approved by authorities, it is prescribed by doctors to those who suffer serious weight management issues. Either way, health experts recommend prioritising healthy lifestyle habits that include exercise and a balanced diet, and if nutrition should be supplemented, they should consult a healthcare provider before moving forward.