There are things that have been shown to help you lose weight and keep it off, Kahan said.
“Nutritionist assistance, nutrition training, and in some cases weight loss medication or surgery can aid weight loss,” he said.
The study authors issued a statement calling for tighter regulation of nutritional supplements and higher quality studies evaluating the risks and benefits of weight loss supplements. The study appears in the June 23rd issue of Obesity.
Their work follows another study that found that weight loss supplements are mostly ineffective. This research was presented practically last month at the European Congress on Obesity and published in the International Journal of Obesity.
In the United States, diet supplements aren’t regulated in the same way as medications, so there’s no way to know if you’re actually getting what you pay for, Kidambi said.
Most weight loss supplements won’t do any harm, but many make false promises, she said. “When supplements take the place of diet, regular exercise, and behavior changes, they will harm you in the long run,” she added.
Some supplements sold online may contain harmful ingredients that are banned in the United States, Kidambi noted.
Weight loss supplements can also be expensive, she said.
Caution should be exercised when it comes to weight loss supplements, agreed Dr. Louis Aronne, Founder and Director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.
“There is very little research to show that currently available dietary supplements cause significant weight loss,” said Aronne, who was not involved in the new study.
Andrea Wong is Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a Washington, DC-based trading group representing the nutritional supplement industry.
Unrelated to the research, Wong pointed out that the new study does not include all of the nutritional supplements on the market today, some of which may aid in weight loss efforts.
“Consumers should be wary of products that claim to make weight loss easier and should always consult a doctor for advice on how to use dietary supplements responsibly and weight management programs,” she said.
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