Do you take vitamins, minerals, fiber, herbs or other supplements to support your health? How are they working for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Reality star and vocalist Kandi Burruss didn’t just walk away from her 14-season streak as a cast member on “Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA).” She also said goodbye to over 30 pounds of body weight, sharing before and after pictures on Instagram. Earlier this month, the “Reasonable Doubt” actress credited the weight loss in part to dietary supplement Hydroxycut. Comments on her post ranged from compliments and testimonials to disbelief and warnings. According to Web MD, “the key ingredient in most Hydroxycut products is Robusta coffee extract (C. canephora robusta).” You can read about coffee’s link to weight loss here in Sisters.
In an age where people who have battled extra weight for years or decades are rapidly transformed into trimmer versions of themselves by taking an injectable drug such as Wegovy or Ozempic, the idea of a pill that helps peel off pounds has new allure. The growing list of celebrities among that group (rapper Fat Joe has lost over 200 pounds. Will he change his stage name?) make these metamorphoses much more visible.
Many people don’t have access to such medications because of cost, lack of coverage or because they don’t fall within prescribing guidelines. According to a report released this month by Global Industry Analysts, Inc, “the global market for weight loss supplements was estimated at US $50.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US $135.7 billion by 2030.” The analysts note, “Consumers are moving away from synthetic products due to growing concerns over side effects and are instead opting for plant-based, herbal, and other natural alternatives.”
Related: AARP Personalized Nutrition: Meal Plans Built for You
Are supplements safe and effective for weight loss?
We see them advertised in magazines, touted by influencers on social media or offered on the shelves at health food stores. E-commerce seems to have endless offerings, some of them from other countries. Labels frequently boast a proprietary blend of herbs, vitamins, minerals, or substances like caffeine—plus claims to “support” certain bodily functions, such as metabolism, muscle growth, satiety. The following information may apply to supplements in general and does not refer to any particular brand.
- You still need to eat right and exercise, just like Burruss did. “There are so many gimmicky, magic-bullet fixes out there that say, ‘Take this, you’ll lose weight,’” Bill Willis, a biomedical scientist at Ohio State University, told AARP. “Your diet and lifestyle need to be squared away first. Before you consider supplements, do two things. First, get moving. Number two, change your diet.”
- Dietary supplements are not medication. According to WebMD, “They aren't meant to prevent, treat or cure medical conditions.”
- Supplements are not subject to regulatory preapproval by the Food and Drug Administration before going to market. According to the agency, “the FDA does not approve dietary supplements for any purpose. Products that have claims to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases are generally subject to regulation as drugs.”
- What’s on the label may not be all that’s in the bottle. The FDA may issue warnings about some products already on the market. The regulator has found that many weight loss supplements contain drugs or chemicals that are not listed on the label. Per the agency, “FDA laboratory tests have revealed the presence of sibutramine, fenproporex, fluoxetine, bumetanide, furosemide, phenytoin, rimonabant, cetilistat, and phenolphthalein in weight loss products being sold over the counter.” As for the plant-based and natural formulas consumers are looking for? They are out there, but be careful. When you are reading labels, you can consult helpful ingredient info on the government site.
- Manufacturers may rely on limited research on which they base claims about an ingredient’s effectiveness. According to WebMD, very few conduct the kinds of rigorous clinical trials we associate with prescription drugs.
- Weight loss supplements are not risk-free. According to Cleveland Clinic, “Some OTC appetite suppressants or weight-loss supplements contain ephedra, ephedrine or caffeine (stimulants). And some have been linked to reports of heart attack, seizure, stroke and death. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider first if you’re thinking of taking OTC appetite suppressants or supplements.” The FDA site notes, “Dietary supplements can also have health risks, interact with medications, or interfere with lab tests.”
Consumers should choose carefully. Be sure your health care provider and pharmacist have a list of all supplements you take, in addition to over the counter and prescription medications.
Do you take vitamins, minerals, fiber, herbs or other supplements to support your health? How are they working for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
