Abstract
The use of food supplements for weight loss purposes has rapidly gained popularity as the prevalence of obesity increases. Navigating through the vast, often low quality, literature available is challenging, as is providing informed advice to those asking for it. Herein, we provide a comprehensive literature revision focusing on most currently marketed dietary supplements claimed to favor weight loss, classifying them by their purported mechanism of action. We conclude by proposing a combination of supplements most supported by current evidence, that leverages all mechanisms of action possibly leading to a synergistic effect and greater weight loss in the foreseen absence of adverse events. Further studies will be needed to confirm the weight loss and metabolic improvement that may be obtained through the use of the proposed combination.
Highlights
Case-control studies, cohort studies, observational prospective and retrospective studies, randomized clinical trials (RCTs); meta-analyses (2) reported body weight or body mass index (BMI) measurements over time; (3) female or male only, or both genders enrolled; (4) sufficient detail reported about dietary supplement studied; (5) studies written in English
Twenty-one dietary supplements were included in the study and classified based on their primary mechanism of action in: food supplements with a primary impact on nutrient absorption (Table 1); food supplements with a primary impact on appetite regulation (Table 2); food supplements with a primary impact on energy expenditure regulation (Table 3); food supplements with a primary impact on fat metabolism (Table 4); food supplements with a primary impact on carbohydrate absorption (Table 5)
We propose a possible combination leveraging all mechanisms of action that could pave the way for future studies investigating the weight loss effect and safety profile of such product
Summary
Several strategies have been proposed for the treatment of weight excess and its detrimental consequences, ranging from dietary regimens [9,10,11,12,13,14,15], to pharmacological treatments [16,17], physical exercise [18], and psychological approaches [19]. -called super foods and food supplements have gained much popularity in recent years, for the generalized perception that natural substances may be synonym of health and balance Despite this being partially false, given the many adverse events that may derive from natural compounds ingestion, it is true that many of the currently commercialized dietary supplements are virtually devoid of major side effects
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