WebMD reports that German scientists assessing the efficacy of nine weight loss supplements over eight weeks have preliminarily determined that the supplements are no better than a placebo. The investigators, who presented their results on Tuesday at the International Congress on Obesity, argue that their findings justify the need to “[subject] supplements marketed for weight loss to rigorous scientific research to determine if they have any benefit.” Americans spend approximately $1.6 billion each year on weight loss supplements.
Based on a separate review of the available research on these dietary supplements, Igho Onakpoya, one of the researchers from the U.K. universities of Exeter and Plymouth that conducted the review, told WebMD, “The only thing these supplements effectively help people lose is their money.”
ACSH advisor and weight loss supplement researcher Judy Stern, Sc.D., calls for more studies that monitor supplement use over “several years.” She also told WebMD:
