Popular over-the-counter diet aids
There are so many over-the-counter products for weight loss, it’s hard to keep them straight. Individual products often contain several ingredients. Some contain 20 or more. It’s important to read the label before you buy.
The one thing all these ingredients have in common is that none of them have been proven to be both safe and effective. And taking any diet aid makes it hard for you to listen to your hunger signals so that you can have a normal relationship with food.
Most over-the-counter diet aids don't work. And those that do work come with warnings about their safety. Doctors don't recommend any of them.1
Diet aid
What it claims to do
Is there evidence that it works?
Is it safe for most people?
Alli Blocks fat from the food you eat Yes May cause side effects Apple cider vinegar Burns calories, lowers appetite No Unknown Bitter orange Burns calories No Probably not; it's related to ephedra Caffeine Lowers appetite No Yes Cascara Acts as a laxative so you lose water weight No Long-term use may cause health problems Chitosan Blocks fat from the food you eat No May cause health problems Chromium Burns fat No Yes Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) Burns fat No Mild to moderate side effects Country mallow Burns calories Yes No; contains ephedra Dandelion Increases amount of urine so you lose water weight A little May cause health problems Ephedra Burns calories Yes No; banned in U.S. Glucomannan Acts as a laxative to absorb water, so you feel full sooner A little Yes Green tea Burns fat No Yes Guar gum Lowers appetite No Yes Guarana Lowers appetite No Yes Guggul Aids weight loss No May cause side effects Hoodia Lowers appetite No Unknown Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) Lowers appetite No Yes L-carnitine Burns fat No May cause side effects Laminaria Burns calories No Unknown Licorice Burns fat No May cause health problems Psyllium Acts as a laxative to absorb water, so you feel full sooner No Yes Pyruvate Lowers appetite, burns calories A little Yes Spirulina (blue-green algae) Lowers appetite No May cause side effects Yerba maté Lowers appetite No May cause health problems
| Author: | Cynthia Tank | Last Updated: May 14, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator | |
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