Herbal weight-loss pills, or herbal weight-loss supplements, are plant-derived dietary products that claim to enhance weight loss by suppressing appetite, increasing energy, blocking fat or reducing water retention. According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, sports/energy/weight-loss related supplements outsell other dietary supplements in America by a significant margin. Though they remain popular, most herbal weight-loss supplements have not been proven safe or effective. In addition, many pose serious side effects.
Function
Numerous types of herbal weight-loss remedies are available to today's consumers. Although they all claim to enhance weight loss in some way, they offer various means of doing so. According to a report published by the "American Family Physician" (AFP) in November 2004, most herbal weight-loss supplements aim to increase energy expenditure (caloric burn), regulate carbohydrate metabolism, increase satiety (fullness), reduce body fat or reduce fluid retention (bloating).
Types
Herbs known to increase caloric burn and energy include bitter orange, guarana and yerba mate. Ephedra is also known to provide those benefits, but it was banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 because of its serious side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ginseng and psyllium are believed to regulate carbohydrate metabolism, though ginseng also contains stimulant properties. Green tea, also a potential stimulant, and chitosan are marketed as fat reducers. Dandelion and cascara are examples of diuretic-style supplements, which flush fluids from the body to reduce water retention.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of herbal weight loss supplements varies, and much remains unknown. According to the Mayo Clinic, most herbal dietary supplements have not been proven effective, and, in general, they can be marketed and sold regardless. Many of the top-selling, current herbal weight-loss remedies on the market, including bitter orange, chitosan, country mallow (an appetite suppressant), green tea extract and hoodia, have been described as containing "insufficient reliable evidence to rate" effectiveness by the FDA.
Risks
Herbal weight-loss supplements pose numerous potential risks. According to the AFP, virtually no herbal weight-loss pills have been proven safe. Although many risks remain unknown, certain supplements are known to cause adverse effects. Stimulant herbal diet pills have been associated with increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack and stroke. Supplements that contain laxatives or diuretics, such as psyllium and dandelion, can cause digestive dysfunction, dehydration and laxative dependency.
Suggestions
Although the notion of taking pills that claim to be "all-natural" and effective for weight loss might tempt consumers, they are not considered safe, reliable or effective. The Mayo Clinic suggests discussing all herbal weight-loss remedies, dietary supplements, weight-loss goals and dietary plans with doctors before engaging in their use. A reduced-calorie, nutrient-rich diet coupled with regular physical activity remains a safe, proven method of weight management. People who choose to take herbal weight-loss supplements are advised to stop taking the supplements and seek medical attention at the first sign of adverse effects.
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