When looking for natural ways to improve your health, many point to supplements as a good way to get the vitamins you need, and this is true. It needs to be stated, though, that anything classified as a “supplement” is not screened by the FDA, and so they go through little to no regulation other than what the manufacturer applies.
Because of this, some supplement manufacturers will not only embellish the effects of their products, but lie about what’s in them entirely. It’s a shame that companies choose to do this, but all we can do is be vigilant and do our own research when looking for supplements.
Here is a quick little guide to some of the most common holistic weight loss supplements and herbs so you can make the right decision when it comes to your health. Unfortunately, you’ll see that much of the findings for these “appetite suppressants” to be quite lacking. If you would like the advice of an expert, we highly suggest speaking with a dietician to get their opinion on what they think might be most fitting for you. At the end of the day, it’s your body, and you have every right to come to your own conclusion and do what you think is best for yourself.
Many of the studies reviewed and mulled over are by Natural Medicines, an independent organization that does research into supposedly natural herbs and supplements.
Bitter Orange
If you see anything with bitter orange, we strongly advise you to keep away if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or any related medical issues.
We especially advise you not to take bitter orange supplements in conjunction with any other chemicals or medicines, like caffeine, as the side effects can be dangerous.
To top it off, there’s no proof that it helps with weight loss.
Side effects include: irregular heartbeat, stroke, heart attack, and even death.
Ephedra
You might be familiar with this if you’ve ever dipped your toes in trying some herbal remedies or teas; you might also know it by its Chinese name, “ma huang”. It has been shown to help with short-term weight-loss; however, ephedra has been linked to some pretty serious side effects. In a rare display of crossing into the supplement industry, the FDA has banned ephedra from all supplements, although it’s still found in some herbal teas.
Side effects include: arrhythmia, stroke, seizures, heart attacks, psychosis, and even death.
Avoid this for your own safety.
7-Keto-DHEA
Despite the complex name, this is a naturally occurring ingredient that’s found within our very own bodies. It’s advertised to help boost one’s metabolism, allowing a higher burn rate for calories.
Unlike many of the supplements here, there are a couple studies that add credibility to the idea of the supplement being dietary in nature. According to these studies, those who took pills with 7-Keto-DHEA lost more weight than those who took placebos.
Natural Medicines, however, are on the skeptic side, stating that there isn’t enough evidence to confidently say it works.
If you spot some of this when shopping for supplements, perhaps give it a try.
Hoodia
This plant, found in Africa’s Kalahari Desert, has quite a bit of history behind it. Allegedly, hunters would use the roods of hoodia to quench their thirst and sate their hunger.
Despite its uses back in the day, modern day research into this plant concludes that this may not actually be the case. There is no existing credible evidence to state that hoodia works as, well, anything. If you see this on shelves, perhaps turn the other way. Thankfully, there are no notable side effects.
Guar Gum
This is one of the more well-known dietary fibers, supposedly keeping fats from being absorbed into the body and keeps your appetite at bay.
If you take guar gum, you might be surprised to find out that many researchers, including Natural Medicines, believe that guar as being ineffective as a weight loss supplement. If you see this on shelves, you might just be best without it.
Side effects include: diarrhea and gassiness
Green Coffee Extract
This is allegedly a good supplement for weight loss, but Natural Medicines states that more research is needed. Thankfully, it’s pretty safe to use, so you can try it out yourself to see if it’s right for you. Just be warned that because it’s coffee extract, there’s going to be a large amount of caffeine in there.
Green coffee bean extract speeds up your metabolism, which in turn helps you burn more calories.
Side effects of caffeine include: upset stomach, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and abnormal heart rhythms.
We have a more detailed article about green coffee bean extract, you can check it out here.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is supposed to raise your metabolism and lower your appetite, but once again, Natural Medicines say that there is insufficient evidence to get a grasp on how well it actually works. It can also be hard to gauge how well your body will respond to the extract, and high doses are known to be particularly brutal on your body, so be careful when taking green tea extract.
Side effects include: diarrhea, agitation, vomiting, insomnia, dizziness, gassiness, bloating, and nausea.
Glucomannan
Made from the konjac plant, this “dietary fiber” allegedly helps one lose weight by blocking fats from being absorbed into their body. Evidence is fairly conflicting, but Natural Medicines says that there isn’t any sufficient evidence to prove that glucomannan is able to make a difference. Thankfully there aren’t any noticeable side effects, so you’re free to use it if you’d like to test it out for yourself.
Chitosan
If you’re allergic to shellfish or are looking for something vegetarian, stay away from this one altogether. It’s a sugar that is extracted from the outermost layer of shellfish, mainly crab, shrimp, and lobster.
As for the weight loss aspect? Supporters of the supplement claim it keeps fats and cholesterol from being absorbed into your body, but science is still on the bench with this one. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative health says that chitosan is not an effective supplement for weight loss.
Side effects include: constipation and upset stomach.
Hi, I’m Ashley! I help big-hearted spiritual individuals reach new levels of success, self love, and confidence.
