Do Weight Loss Supplements Work?

The dietary supplement business is huge. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, Americans spent over $36 Billion on nutritional supplements in 2014. When it comes to supplements focusing on promoting weight loss, by either promising to “melt fat away” or appetite suppression, supplement companies have been known to be exceptionally aggressive in their marketing campaigns to lure potential customers who have become frustrated from the lack of results obtained from exercise alone.

One of the things I have to remind my clients looking to lose weight is that the weight loss will come, but it is not going to happen today, and may not be noticeable for a couple weeks. To lose weight, one has to be disciplined in their dietary choices and consistent with working out, and when a commercial on TV promises to help one lose vast amounts of fat with the ease of taking a pill, that may be the more attractive route for some. This does not mean that a person is lazy or of weak character because it is perfectly natural to opt for the easier option; in fact, when our ancient ancestors started farming, that was largely because hunting is exhausting and does not produce the most immediate results, whereas farming offered a more reliable food source. By tending their crops, these ancestors of ours were able to set up stable villages, instead of constantly moving to follow the animals they hunted.

Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate over-the-counter weight loss supplements, there is a risk involved when taking supplements. Some of these risks include tainted products and health concerns arising from using weight loss supplements, which can be as serious as a heart attack or death. Additionally, since the FDA does not evaluate these products, consumers must rely upon the supplement companies’ words for the effectiveness of the weight loss supplements.

The journey to weight loss can be a challenging one; often times, it means having to wake up an hour earlier to go to the gym before work or passing on dessert at your favorite restaurant. Weight loss supplement companies love to prey upon those who are struggling with losing weight by promising an easier route and fantastic results, immediately. The fact is that your bank account is the most likely to lose the most amount of weight. Instead of reaching for weight loss supplements, you will have far better results by eating more fruits and vegetables, less junk food and being consistent with your workout routine than any pill on the market.