Don't Be Fooled

Most weight loss products don't work, and many bring unwelcome side effects. Here's what researchers have found.

Hoodia  Unilever withdrew it's $27 million investment in Hoodia in 2008, and now that the clinical trials have been published, we know why. Of the 42 women between the ages of 18 to 50 in the trial lost no more weight than the women who took a placebo. Worse yet, the Hoodia takers reported 5 or more times the number of side effects that include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and gas. Blood pressure also rose 5 to 16 points in two weeks.

Lipozene  In two published studies, dieters who maintained a steady calorie intake of 1200 calories a day and exercised regularly, lost 3 - 4 pounds over those who took a placebo. Participants who did not change diet or lifestyle lost no weight. So much for the "no change in lifestyle needed" claim. The ingredient in Lipozene is a soluble dietary fiber that swells in the digestive tract and gives a feeling of fullness. It may help with dieting and weight loss if you are cutting calories. However, because it swells so much, it can cause choking or block the throat, esophagus or intestines unless it is taken with at least 8 oz. of water, and never take it before going to bed.

Acai  For over 5 years, the fraudulent claims of easy weight loss have shamelessly sailed the internet. As of yet, no studies have proven that acai berry pills do anything to help with weight, muscle, or fat.

African Mango  Rich in soluble fiber, it works no different for weight loss as any other high fiber diet. As for pills containing the extract, no studies funded by anyone other than the investors have surfaced.

Green Tea Extract  Overall, the studies show that those who used product lost one pound more than those taking a placebo. Caffeine could be the ingredient taking the credit for that one. The concentrated form of EGCG (the antioxidant in green tea) may be responsible for 34 cases of liver damage, according to the U. S. Pharmacopeia.

~American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010

~Drug Safety, 2008