Question

Discuss effectiveness of dietary supplements used in obesity research studies?

Answer 1

Obesity ia major health problem our health system facing because it may leads to many cardiovascular and neurlogical problems. It is now days achieved by healthy eating pattern, reducing calorie intake, engaging in physical activities and soon. But it is very difficult to make changes in the diet and lifestyle that we usually follow. Therefore many people turn to dietary supplements promoted for weight loss. These dietary supplements encompass a wide variety of products and come in variety of forms , incuding a liquid, powders, and bars and helps to reduce body weight by decreasing micronutrient absorption, appetite, body fat, and weight and increase the metabolism and thermogenesis. They contains a variety of ingredients such as botanical ( herbs and other plant components), dietary fiber, caffiene and minerals. Eventhough they are effective some of them might causes physical harm. More over they are costly and some of them will interact or interfere with certain medications. So it is very important to understand them all and consider them only under the consultation of a health care provider especially those having high blood pressure, diabetes, liver / heart disease.

Some of the ingredients in weight loss supplements are

INGREDIENTS	PROPOSED MECHANISM OF ACTION	EVIDENCE OF EFFICACY	EVIDENCE OF SAFETY
1. African Mango	Inhibits adipogenesis and reduces leptin levels	Few clinical trials, all with small sample sizes Research findings: Possible modest reduction in body weight and waist circumference	No safety concerns for up to 3,150 mg/day for 10 weeks Reported adverse effects : Headache, difficulty sleeping, flatulence and gas
2. Beta - glucans	Increase satiety and gastointestinal transit, time and slow glucose absorption	Several clinical trials with weight loss as a secondary outcome Research findings : No effect on body weight	No safety concerns reported for upto 10g/ weeks Reported adverse effect : flatulence
3. Calcium	Increases lipolysis and fat accumulation, decreases fat absorption	Several large clinical trials Research findings : No effects on body weight, weight loss or prevention of weight gain based on clinical trials	No safety concerns reported at recommended intakes ( 1000 - 1200 mg/ day for adults) Reported adverse effects : constipation, kidney stones and interference with iron and zinc absorption
4. Probiotics	Altergut microbiota, affecting nutrient and energy extraction from food and altering energy expenditure	Several clinical trials Research findings : Inconsistent effects on body fat, waist and hip circumferences and body weight	No safety concerns reported for healthy individuals Reported adverse effects : Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as gas
5. Pyruvate	Increases lipolysis and energy expenditure	Few clinical trials, all of weak methodological quality Research findings : Possible minimal effect on body weight and body fat	For safety concerns reported for upto 30g/day for as long as 6 weeks, but not well studied Reported adverrse effect : Diarrhea, gas, bloating, and decreased HDL levels