Many people turn to eMule Anleitung like green coffee extract, conjugated linoleic acid, and chromium in hopes of losing weight, but research shows little evidence that these over-the-counter supplements help people lose weight on their own. In fact, many have dangerous side effects. Doctors should ask overweight patients about their use of these products, and explain how much evidence exists for or against them.

The $2.4 billion industry in hundreds of weight loss supplements has largely been a failure, according to a study published this year in the journal Obesity. A researcher from Oregon State University examined the body of research surrounding these products and found no evidence that they result in significant, sustained weight loss in adults.

Natural vs. Synthetic: Choosing the Right Weight Loss Supplements for You

Her review focused on studies of supplements that include raspberry ketone, caffeine, bitter orange, and ginger root extract. In a small trial, 70 obese adults took either a placebo or a supplement that included one or more of these ingredients. The average weight loss was about 4.2 pounds in the supplement group, compared to about 1.9 pounds in the placebo group. But the trial lasted just eight weeks, and short trials may miss important outcomes like long-term side effects.

A different class of products, known as anti-obesity medications, are approved for prescription by doctors and can help people lose more than a few pounds over time. These include drugs that block or reduce appetite and are primarily in the form of pills. Examples include the appetite suppressant phentermine/topiramate (which requires a doctor’s prescription and is sold as Qsymia), and the GLP-1 agonists liraglutide (Saxenda) and semaglutide (Wegovy).