Weight-Loss Supplements After 40: What Evidence Supports—and What to Check First
Weight-loss supplements are often marketed as an easy answer to appetite, metabolism, or low energy. The evidence is usually much less certain than the advertising. Some people take supplements for specific nutritional needs, but a product sold for weight loss is not automatically safe, effective, or appropriate for you. Before spending money, start with the exact product, the full label, your health history, and a conversation with a clinician or pharmacist when needed. What the evidence says about weight-loss supplements The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements reports that there is little scientific evidence that weight-loss supplements work. Products often combine several ingredients in varying doses, and studies may be small or short. A claim about an ingredient is not the same as evidence that the finished product helps people lose weight safely or keep it off. Be especially cautious with phrases such as “melt fat,” “boost metabolism,” “detox,” “effortless,” or “works without diet o...