Asparagus Pills To Lose Weight

Americans' constant quest for help in losing weight has fueled an industry hungry for your dollar. Americans spend about $35 billion a year on weight-loss products, reports CBS News. Neither proof of effectiveness nor warnings about side effects are federally required for these products, so consumers must proceed with caution when trying weight-loss pills and supplements. Asparagus pills contain extracts from asparagus, a commonly consumed vegetable that no one expects to present risks or danger. The value of the pill for weight loss is a matter that is more open to question.

Asparagus Nutrients

Asparagus is a vegetable highly praised for its nutritive value. It contains chlorophyll, the substance that makes plants green. Chlorophyll assists the release of toxins and improves the flow of oxygen. Filled with potent antioxidants, it neutralizes the potential damage caused by free radicals and may reduce the risk of certain cancers, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. It is high in folacin, a nutrient involved in blood cell formation, growth and liver health. It is also high in vitamins A, C, B6 and K, as well as in folate and iron.

Asparagus and Weight Loss

The high nutritional value of asparagus makes it a great food to include in your diet, but it is also a great diet food. Low in calories, a 3-oz. serving contains only 17 calories, according to WolframAlpha. A 3-oz. serving has 2 g dietary fiber, which creates a sense of fullness, stabilizes blood sugar and staves off appetite. Asparagus has virtually no fat, saturated fat, trans fat or cholesterol. It functions as a natural diuretic, flushing fluids from the body and preventing water weight gain, and it may contribute to the breakdown of fat in the body, reports Fox News.

Asparagus Pill Claims

Claims for what asparagus pills can do include improving depression, preventing hangovers, lowering cholesterol, treating erection dysfunction and assisting with weight loss. Asparagus pills can be purchased online at sites such as PhysicianFormulas.com and AsparagusExtract.net. Even though these vendors are motivated to advocate for their products, they acknowledge that human studies on the effectiveness of asparagus pills for weight loss or for other functions have not yet been conducted. As is common when solid scientific evidence is lacking, some vendors offer consumer testimonials instead of research.

Buyer Beware

The allure of easy weight loss through a pill keeps the diet industry in tip-top shape. Though many pills, including the asparagus extract pill, are marketed to consumers wishing to shed some pounds, the effectiveness of many of these pills has not been established, reports the Mayo Clinic. The FDA does not regulate the dietary supplement industry, and consequently the rigorous testing and labeling required of medications does not apply to diet pills. Though the safety of asparagus pills has not been questioned, the effectiveness of the pills has not been established through peer-reviewed scientific research. This is not to say they won't work for you; it's just that there isn't strong evidence that they will.

Asparagus Diet

You may be better off trying to lose weight by eating asparagus than by swallowing asparagus pills. Include asparagus, as well as other green vegetables, as an important component of a balanced diet, and you fill yourself with fiber-filled vegetables that offer low-calorie sources of vital nutrients. You will quell your appetite while supplying your body with the building and maintenance materials it needs.