In 2009, Americans spent $1.6 billion on weight loss supplements. Two recent studies presented to the International Congress on Obesity show that they wasted their money. Each of the studies looked at 9 different popular weight loss supplements.

One study compared the results of a placebo to results from using L Carnitine, polyglucosamine, cabbage powder, Guarana seed powder, bean extract, Konjac extract, fibre pills, sodium alginate formulations, and selected plant extracts. All groups averaged between 1 and 2 kgs of weight loss, including the placebo group.

The second study was a systematic review of the clinical trials of nine supplements – chromium, picolinate, ephedra, bitter orange, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, guar gum, glucomannin, chitosan, and green tea. It found no evidence of weight loss compared to the placebo.

Conclusion: Take the money you spend on useless supplements and spend it instead on healthy habits like good nutritious food and exercise.

This article appeared in the July 2010 issue of the Healthy Habituator, our monthly email newsletter. If you want it delivered to your inbox each month, enter your email in the Newsletter box on the left.