Pills for weight loss: What pill works best for weight loss? Here’s a list of 18 drugs that are effective in burning belly fat.
Are you an adult who has serious health problems because of your weight? Have you tried diet and exercise but haven’t been able to lose enough weight? If you answered yes to these questions, a prescription weight-loss drug may be an option for you.
You should know, however, that prescription weight-loss drugs are used in addition to — not instead of — diet and exercise.
There are many different weight loss solutions out there. This includes all sorts of pills, drugs, and natural supplements.
These are claimed to help you lose weight, or at least make it easier to lose weight combined with other methods.
They tend to work via one or more of these mechanisms:
- Reduce appetite, making you feel more full so that you eat fewer calories
- Reduce absorption of nutrients like fat, making you take in fewer calories
- Increase fat burning, making you burn more calories
Before we dive into the drugs recommended by respectable online health outlets, let’s take a lot of vital information about weight loss pills.
Who is a candidate for weight-loss drugs?
Your doctor may consider a weight-loss drug for you if you haven’t been able to lose weight through diet and exercise and you meet one of the following:
- Your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 30.
- Your BMI is greater than 27 and you have a serious medical problem related to obesity, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Before selecting a medicine for you, your doctor will consider your history and health challenges. Then your doctor will talk with you about the pros and cons of prescription weight-loss drugs.
It’s important to note that weight-loss drugs aren’t for everyone. For example, prescription weight-loss drugs shouldn’t be used if you’re trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
How well do weight-loss drugs work?
Prescription weight-loss drugs approved for long-term use (more than 12 weeks) produce significant weight loss compared with placebo. The combination of weight-loss medication and lifestyle changes results in greater weight loss than lifestyle changes do alone.
Over the course of a year, that can mean a weight loss of 3% to 7% of total body weight above that achieved with lifestyle changes alone. That may seem like a modest amount. But a sustained weight loss of 5% to 10% can have important health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels.
What you should know about weight-loss drugs
Mild side effects, such as nausea, constipation, or diarrhea, are common. They may lessen over time. Rarely, serious side effects can occur. For this reason, it’s important to thoroughly discuss treatment options with your doctor.
Weight-loss drugs can be expensive and aren’t always paid for by insurance. Ask your insurance company about coverage.
Many people gain back some of the weight they lost when they stop taking weight-loss drugs. However, adopting healthy lifestyle habits may help limit weight gain.
How long does drug therapy last?
How long you’ll take a weight-loss drug depends on if the drug helps you lose weight. If you’ve lost enough weight to improve your health and you haven’t had serious side effects, your doctor may suggest that you take the drug indefinitely.
If you haven’t lost at least 5% of your body weight after three to six months on the full dose of a drug, your doctor will probably change your treatment and may switch you to a different weight-loss drug.
If you’re ready to finally lose weight and feel more confident than ever, here are the 18 best weight loss pills and supplements of 2022, reviewed by science.
Note. The first six have been declared the best pills for weight loss, according to Observer, Tampabay, and other online health platforms whereas the last 12 are the recommended ones by top-notch online health outlets.
1. Leanbean: Best Weight Loss Pills for Women
Leanbean is the best weight loss pill for women that want to burn fat, kickstart metabolism, and control hunger cravings.
Researchers tend to agree that men and women lose weight differently. In fact, numerous studies have found that men typically lose more weight than women while following similar diets and exercise regimens.
Because women often have a more challenging time losing weight than men, women need a tailored formula that reflects the specific hurdles they face. Leanbean is a weight loss supplement for women that can produce benefits such as:
- Reduced cravings
- Faster fat metabolism
- Higher energy levels
- Increased mental clarity
Leanbean helps women lose weight through its inclusion of glucomannan, a dietary fiber that swells when it reaches your stomach. Taking a daily supplement that includes glucomannan can help you feel full longer, reduce your food cravings, and help you limit your calorie intake throughout the day.
While many weight loss supplements contain glucomannan, Leanbean, with 3 grams of glucomannan per dose, includes a higher concentration than most supplements. This high dosage allows the glucomannan to create optimal appetite-suppressing effects.
Next, the Leanbean formula contains a few ingredients that help speed up your metabolism. Chromium picolinate, for example, contributes to regular macronutrient metabolism and helps balance your blood glucose concentrations. Additionally, the supplement contains an effective dose of choline, which may support healthy fat metabolism.
Leanbean also includes ingredients to reduce tiredness and keep your energy levels high. The supplement contains a small amount of natural caffeine to improve alertness and boost endurance, helping you perform better during workouts. Each dose includes 10 mg of caffeine, which is about a tenth of the amount in an average cup of coffee.
Additionally, Leanbean contains green coffee bean extract, which also keeps you alert and energized.
Leanbean’s complete ingredient list includes:
- BioPerine
- Turmeric
- Acai berry extract
- Green coffee bean extract
- Choline
- Garcinia cambogia
- Glucomannan
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Chromium Picolinate
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
Leanbean is vegan and gluten-free, making it suitable for a wide range of diets. Additionally, if you plan to take Leanbean over the long term, you can benefit from the company’s discounts on large orders. For example, purchasing a four-month supply will get you free worldwide shipping and one complimentary bottle containing 180 capsules.
Leanbean also offers a 90-day money-back guarantee when you purchase the four-month bundle. If you are dissatisfied with these supplements within 90 days of your purchase, you can return any unopened pills for a full refund.
Overall, Leanbean is an excellent weight loss pill for women who need a boost to their typical weight loss routines. LeanBean has rave reviews from thousands of women across the world, including many Instagram models and influencers that swear by its effectiveness.
- One of the most popular weight loss pills for women
- Reduce appetite, burn fat, and reduce fatigue
- Includes 11 all-natural ingredients that are safe and free of side effects
- Provides clean energy boost without a heavy dose of stimulants
- 90-Day satisfaction guarantee
2. PhenQ: Highly Rated Diet Pill That Actually Works
PhenQ is an effective weight loss supplement that takes a multi-angled approach to weight loss, helping you reach your weight loss goals faster than other products. This diet supplement has been used by over 190,000 customers from around the world and the reviews have been nothing short of positive.
Taking PhenQ can produce benefits such as:
- Increased fat burning
- Higher energy levels
- Inhibited fat production
- Reduced cravings and appetite
- Improved mood
PhenQ’s most potent ingredient is α-Lacys Reset, a complex that contains cysteine, magnesium, and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). This complex can help you get rid of stubborn body fat by stimulating thermogenesis, which is your body’s heat production process. Jumpstarting thermogenesis helps your body burn calories faster, allowing you to begin burning fat stores as well.
The α-Lacys Reset complex also reduces fatigue and helps you recover from exercise faster. Working out regularly is a critical aspect of weight loss. Taking a supplement that contains α-Lacys Reset can give you the endurance and energy you need to push through challenging exercise days.
Along with α-Lacys Reset, PhenQ contains several other effective ingredients that target weight loss in various ways. For example, the supplement’s addition of chromium picolinate can reduce hunger cravings and eliminate hunger pangs, helping you control your food intake.
Additionally, PhenQ contains caffeine to increase your focus and alertness and reduce fatigue. Caffeine also acts as an appetite suppressant, helping you control your appetite and stick to a strict diet.
Altogether, PhenQ contains the following ingredients:
- α-Lacys Reset
- Caffeine
- Capsimax Powder
- Chromium picolinate
- L-carnitine fumarate
- Nopal
The PhenQ creators recommend taking this supplement for at least two months to see the best results.
PhenQ offers a discount to help you get the most out of your PhenQ order. When you purchase two bottles of the supplements, you will receive a third bottle for free. If you are trying to maximize your weight loss, you can buy three bottles and get two additional bottles for free.
PhenQ also offers a money-back guarantee to help you feel confident in your PhenQ purchase. You can return any unopened bottles within 67 days of your original purchase (which includes seven days of shipping time) to receive a full refund of your purchase price.
Overall, we recommend PhenQ for anyone looking to lose 30 pounds or more, as this product can help you achieve significant weight loss through its effective formula.
- Supports normal fat metabolism to help you burn more calories
- 5-in-1 weight loss supplement that actually works
- Made from 100% vegetarian and vegan ingredients
- Get 2 free bottles if you buy a 3-month supply
- 67-day money back guarantee
3. Instant Knockout: Best Thermogenic Fat Burner for Men
Instant Knockout is a proven weight loss supplement that’s designed for men. Instant Knockout was originally developed to help pro boxers and MMA fighters burn fat and get shredded before an upcoming fight. Instant Knockout is now available to the general public and is getting rave reviews from men all over the world.
Instant Knockout is a thermogenic fat-burning supplement designed to help men lose weight faster. Taking this supplement can produce benefits such as:
- Increased thermogenesis
- Reduced appetite and cravings
- Faster metabolism
- More sculpted muscles
Instant Knockout helps users burn fat more quickly than they could independently through its effective formula of natural ingredients. Instant Knockout contains nine natural ingredients that each target a few different angles of weight loss, including fat burning.
One of the product’s most potent ingredients is glucomannan. Glucomannan is a dietary fiber that comes from the konjac plant. When you consume this fiber, it absorbs water in your stomach, helping your stomach feel fuller than it really is. As a result, glucomannan acts as a natural solution to reduce appetite.
Instant Knockout also contains black pepper extract, also known as piperine. This bioactive chemical activates your TRPA1 and TRPV1 receptors, which in turn improves your energy metabolism and suppresses new fat cell formation. These processes are vital in burning fat and maintaining recent fat loss.
This weight loss supplement also contains the critical ingredient green tea extract. One dose of green tea extract has the same nutrients as a cup of green tea and can assist fat oxidation and stored energy breakdown.
All of Instant Knockout’s ingredients play an important role in its overall formula. This weight loss supplement contains the following ingredients:
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D3
- Vitamin B6
- L-theanine
- Caffeine
- Green tree extract
- Black pepper extract
- Cayenne pepper
- Glucomannan
Instant Knockout manufactures all of its products in the U.S. using all-natural, vegan-friendly ingredients. Additionally, when you purchase an order of Instant Knockout capsules, you can trust the company to ship out your pills within the same day whenever possible.
If you plan to take Instant Knockout for several months, you can benefit from the company’s subscription deal. This deal allows you to save an extra 10% on your purchase price and receive your supplements on time without having to reorder them. Better yet, you can cancel your subscription at any time.
Overall, Instant Knockout is an effective weight loss pill for men looking to stimulate fat-burning processes and cut through excess body fat.
- One of the best weight loss supplements for men
- Increase fat burning potential by boosting metabolism
- Cutting-edge ingredients that are 100% natural
- Burn more calories during workouts or while resting
- Money-back guarantee
4. TrimTone: Natural Fat Burner That Boosts Metabolism
TrimTone is the best metabolism booster for women looking to lose weight naturally without prescription weight loss pills.
Your body’s metabolism is the process of converting the foods you eat into energy. The number of calories your body uses for energy is your “basal metabolic rate.” The higher your BMR, the easier it is for you to lose weight by burning calories.
Having a slow metabolism can make your weight loss journey feel slow-going and ineffective. If you are struggling with a slow metabolism, you may benefit from a metabolism booster pill like TrimTone.
TrimTone is a diet supplement that contains 100% natural ingredients. Taking these pills can produce benefits such as:
- Faster metabolism
- Reduced appetite
- Increased fat-burning
TrimTone uses a simple formula of powerful, effective ingredients to produce these benefits.
One of the formula’s most significant ingredients is glucomannan, which you may have seen in some of the other supplements on our list. Glucomannan is a dietary fiber that can control appetite by helping you feel full longer. As a result, taking TrimTone before your first meal each day may help you control your calorie intake.
TrimTone also contains caffeine, another popular ingredient in fat-burning supplements. Caffeine kickstarts thermogenesis to promote your body’s fat-burning processes. Studies have found that caffeine can significantly increase one’s metabolic rate during the three hours after ingesting it.
Additionally, caffeine increases lipolysis, which is the process of breaking down fat. Of course, caffeine also leaves you feeling energized and alert and can even control your appetite.
TrimTone includes two additional ingredients that contain small amounts of caffeine: green coffee and green tea. Both of these ingredients also stimulate thermogenesis, while green tea may reduce the number of carbs your body stores as well.
TrimTone’s complete formula contains just five potent ingredients:
- Glucomannan
- Green tea
- Grains of paradise
- Caffeine
- Green coffee
TrimTone produces its effective weight loss pills in the U.S. following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). You can receive free delivery on every purchase and cut down your costs further by purchasing multiple packs at a time.
TrimTone is so confident in its formula that it offers a 100-day money-back guarantee, one of the longest guarantees in the industry. You can receive a full refund within 100 days of your purchase if you are dissatisfied for any reason.
Overall, TrimTone is a trustworthy metabolism booster suitable for anyone looking to speed up their metabolism to assist their weight loss processes.
- Potent appetite suppressant that helps you eat fewer calories
- High-quality dietary supplement that’s manufactured in the United States
- Stimulate fat-burning process with powerful thermogenics such as green tea
- 100% natural ingredients, free of side effects
- Effective fat burner and appetite suppressant
- 100 day money back guarantee
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5. PhenGold: Best Appetite Suppressant
PhenGold has ranked as the best appetite suppressant on the market thanks to its powerful hunger-suppressing ingredients and fast results.
Many people who are trying to achieve healthy weight loss struggle to manage their daily calorie intake. Eating in a calorie deficit is an effective way to lose weight, but saying no to high-calorie foods isn’t always easy.
As a result, individuals struggling to control their eating often turn to appetite suppressants like PhenGold. PhenGold is a potent appetite suppressant that can help you fight cravings and achieve faster weight loss.
Taking PhenGold can produce benefits such as:
- Increased focus and mental clarity
- Boosted metabolism
- Reduced appetite
PhenGold contains a formula of clinically proven ingredients to reduce appetite and burn fat.
First, Phengold contains two caffeinated ingredients: green tea and green coffee. As we have discussed, caffeine can act as a natural appetite suppressant, helping to curb your cravings and reduce your calorie intake. Green coffee also contains chlorogenic acid, which can reduce the amount of sugar and fat your body absorbs after each meal.
Next, PhenGold contains amino acids like L-theanine and L-tyrosine. L-theanine can boost your metabolism, helping you burn more calories for energy and prevent additional fat gain. Meanwhile, L-tyrosine can help maintain your high dopamine and adrenaline levels, keeping you alert and focused.
Cayenne pepper is another important ingredient in PhenGold. This component may curb your appetite and boost your metabolism through thermogenesis.
PhenGold’s complete ingredient list includes:
- Cayenne pepper
- L-theanine
- Rhodiola SP
- Vitamin B3
- L-tyrosine
- Vitamin B6
- Green coffee
- Green tea
- Vitamin B12
- Caffeine anhydrous
- Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE)
- BioPerine
PhenGold is an FDA-registered and GMP-certified company. It manufactures all of its products in the U.S. using natural ingredients that do not produce any harmful side effects.
Better yet, PhenGold offers a money-back guarantee to help you feel confident in your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, the company will refund your initial purchase amount.
PhenGold also helps customers better afford its products through its free delivery and multi-pack savings. For example, when you purchase a two-month supply of PhenGold, you will receive an additional month for free. If you plan to take PhenGold for a while, you can buy a three-month supply and get an extra two months at no additional cost.
Altogether, PhenGold is a reliable appetite suppressant that can help you lose weight through several means.
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6. PrimeShred: Effective Fat Loss Pills for Bodybuilding
PrimeShred is the number one weight loss supplement for bodybuilders and athletes.
If you’re working out to lose weight, why not focus on sculpting your muscles and increasing strength at the same time? Bodybuilding is an excellent way to lose weight, increase muscle mass, and improve your overall fitness. However, many bodybuilders struggle to achieve the physique they desire through exercise alone.
One way to aid your bodybuilding efforts is to take a fat burner supplement like PrimeShred. PrimeShred can produce the following benefits for bodybuilders:
- Whole-body fat burning
- Lose weight without losing energy or muscle mass
- Increased energy and mental focus
- Strip off those last few pounds of stubborn fat
- Breakthrough frustrating plateaus
PrimeShred’s ingredients kickstart several effective weight loss processes to help you burn fat and build muscle.
First, PrimeShred contains several ingredients that help your body break down fat cells and release fat stores through the process of lipolysis. For example, green tea, caffeine, capsaicin, and L-tyrosine all boost the production of epinephrine and norepinephrine, two hormones that jumpstart lipolysis in your body.
Several of these ingredients also reduce your triglyceride levels. Triglycerides make up many of the fat cells in your body, and reducing these levels helps shrink fat cells.
Next, PrimeShred’s formula also helps speed up your metabolism, increasing the rate that your body burns stored fat for energy. Ingredients like cayenne pepper, caffeine, and green coffee all contain elements that will boost your metabolism by increasing thermogenesis. Meanwhile, ingredients such as vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 will help convert your calories into energy rather than stored fat.
Finally, this supplement also includes ingredients that increase the rate at which you burn fat while working out. Green tea catechins, for example, can help you burn more body fat through your workouts, contributing to your weight loss and bodybuilding efforts.
PrimeShred’s ingredient list includes:
- Cayenne pepper
- Caffeine anhydrous
- BioPerine
- Vitamin B complex
- Rhodiola Rosea root
- L-theanine
- Green coffee
- L-tyrosine
- Green tea extract
- DMAE
This formula uses no artificial ingredients, is non-GMO, and is free from gluten, soy, and dairy. Even better, PrimeShred packs its ingredients into a vegetable capsule suitable for vegans. PrimeShred displays all of its ingredients and dosages clearly on its website, allowing you to see exactly what you are consuming through the PrimeShred formula.
Further, PrimeShred’s 100-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of time to determine if PrimeShred is right for you. You can take these pills daily for several months and test out their benefits and effects on your bodybuilding routine. If you aren’t satisfied within 100 days, you can return any unopened capsules for a full refund.
Altogether, PrimeShred is the best weight loss pill for bodybuilders looking to lose weight, burn excess belly fat, and sculpt a muscular physique.
- Natural weight loss formula
- One of the most popular fat burners for men
- Lose body weight without losing muscle mass
- Clinically-backed ingredients
- Vegetarian & vegan-friendly
Below are some other weight loss pills suggested by Healthline.com. To see its prescription medication, effectiveness, how to works, and side effects, read till the end.
7. Garcinia Cambogia Extract
Garcinia cambogia became popular worldwide after being featured on the Dr. Oz show in 2012.
It is a small, green fruit, shaped like a pumpkin.
The skin of the fruit contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA). This is the active ingredient in Garcinia Cambogia extract, which is marketed as a diet pill.
How it works: Animal studies show that it can inhibit a fat-producing enzyme in the body and increase levels of serotonin, potentially helping to reduce cravings.
Effectiveness: One study with 130 people compared garcinia against a dummy pill. There was no difference in weight or body fat percentage between groups.
A 2011 review that looked at 12 studies on garcinia Cambogia found that, on average, it caused weight loss of about 2 pounds (0.88 kg) over several weeks (4).
Side effects: There are no reports of serious side effects, but some reports of mild digestive problems.
BOTTOM LINE:
Even though garcinia cambogia may cause modest weight loss, the effects are so small that they probably won’t even be noticeable.
8. Hydroxycut
Hydroxycut has been around for more than a decade and is currently one of the most popular weight loss supplements in the world.
There are several different types, but the most common one is simply called “Hydroxycut.”
How it works: It contains several ingredients that are claimed to help with weight loss, including caffeine and a few plant extracts.
Effectiveness: One study showed that it caused 21 lbs (9.5 kg) of weight loss over a 3 month period (5).
Side effects: If you are caffeine sensitive, you may experience anxiety, jitteriness, tremors, nausea, diarrhea, and irritability.
BOTTOM LINE:
Unfortunately, there is only one study on this supplement and no data on long-term effectiveness. More research is needed.
9. Caffeine
Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world.
It is found naturally in coffee, green tea, and dark chocolate, and added to many processed foods and beverages.
Caffeine is a well-known metabolism booster and is often added to commercial weight loss supplements.
How it works: Short-term studies have shown that caffeine can boost metabolism by 3-11%, and increase fat burning by up to 29%.
Effectiveness: There are also some studies showing that caffeine can cause modest weight loss in humans.
Side effects: In some people, high amounts of caffeine can cause anxiety, insomnia, jitteriness, irritability, nausea, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Caffeine is also addictive and can reduce the quality of your sleep.
There really is no need to take a supplement or a pill with caffeine in it. The best sources are quality coffee and green tea, which also have antioxidants and other health benefits.
BOTTOM LINE:
Caffeine can boost metabolism and enhance fat burning in the short term. However, a tolerance to the effects may develop quickly.
10. Orlistat (Alli)
Orlistat is a pharmaceutical drug, sold over-the-counter under the name Alli, and under prescription as Xenical.
How it works: This weight loss pill works by inhibiting the breakdown of fat in the gut, making you take in fewer calories from fat.
Effectiveness: According to a big review of 11 studies, orlistat can increase weight loss by 6 pounds (2.7 kg) compared to a dummy pill.
Other benefits: Orlistat has been shown to reduce blood pressure slightly, and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 37% in one study.
Side effects: This drug has many digestive side effects, including loose, oily stools, flatulence, frequent bowel movements that are hard to control, and others. It may also contribute to deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K.
It is usually recommended to follow a low-fat diet while taking orlistat, in order to minimize side effects.
Interestingly, a low-carb diet (without drugs) has been shown to be as effective as both orlistat and a low-fat diet combined.
BOTTOM LINE:
Orlistat, also known as Alli or Xenical, can reduce the amount of fat you absorb from the diet and help you lose weight. It has many side effects, some of which are highly unpleasant.
11. Raspberry Ketones
Raspberry ketone is a substance found in raspberries, which is responsible for their distinct smell.
A synthetic version of raspberry ketones is sold as a weight-loss supplement.
How it works: In isolated fat cells from rats, raspberry ketones increase the breakdown of fat and increase levels of a hormone called adiponectin, believed to be related to weight loss.
Effectiveness: There is not a single study on raspberry ketones in humans, but one rat study using massive doses showed that they reduced weight gain.
Side effects: They may cause your burps to smell like raspberries.
BOTTOM LINE:
There is no evidence that raspberry ketones cause weight loss in humans, and the rat studies showing it to work used massive doses.
12. Green Coffee Bean Extract
Green coffee beans are simply normal coffee beans that haven’t been roasted.
They contain two substances believed to help with weight loss, caffeine, and chlorogenic acid.
How it works: Caffeine can increase fat burning, and chlorogenic acid can slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut.
Effectiveness: Several human studies have shown that green coffee bean extract can help people lose weight.
A review of 3 studies found that the supplement made people lose 5.4 more pounds (2.5 kg) than a placebo, a dummy pill.
Other benefits: Green coffee bean extract may help lower blood sugar levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is also high in antioxidants.
Side effects: It can cause the same side effects as caffeine. The chlorogenic acid in it may also cause diarrhea, and some people may be allergic to green coffee beans.
BOTTOM LINE:
Green coffee bean extract may cause modest weight loss, but keep in mind that many of the studies were industry sponsored.
13. Glucomannan
Glucomannan is a type of fiber found in the roots of the elephant yam, also called konjac.
How it works: Glucomannan absorbs water and becomes gel-like. It “sits” in your gut and promotes a feeling of fullness, helping you eat fewer calories (27).
Effectiveness: Three human studies showed that glucomannan, combined with a healthy diet, can help people lose 8-10 pounds (3.6-4.5 kg) of weight in 5 weeks.
Other benefits: Glucomannan is a fiber that can feed the friendly bacteria in the intestine. It can also lower blood sugar, blood cholesterol, and triglycerides, and is very effective against constipation.
Side effects: It can cause bloating, flatulence, and soft stools, and can interfere with some oral medications if taken at the same time.
It is important to take glucomannan about half an hour before meals, with a glass of water. If you would like to try it, Amazon has a good selection available.
You can find an objective review of glucomannan in this article.
BOTTOM LINE:
Studies consistently show that the fiber glucomannan, when combined with a healthy diet, can help people lose weight. It also leads to improvements in various health markers.
14. Meratrim
Meratrim is a relative newcomer on the diet pill market.
It is a combination of two plant extracts that may change the metabolism of fat cells.
How it works: It is claimed to make it harder for fat cells to multiply, decrease the amount of fat that they pick up from the bloodstream, and help them burn stored fat.
Effectiveness: So far, only one study has been done on Meratrim. A total of 100 obese people were placed on a strict 2000 calorie diet, with either Meratrim or a dummy pill.
After 8 weeks, the Meratrim group had lost 11 pounds (5.2 kg) of weight and 4.7 inches (11.9 cm) off their waistlines. They also had improved quality of life and reduced blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Side effects: No side effects have been reported.
For a detailed review of Meratrim, read this article.
BOTTOM LINE:
One study showed that Meratrim caused weight loss and had a number of other health benefits. However, the study was industry sponsored and more research is needed.
15. Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is a popular ingredient in many weight loss supplements.
This is because numerous studies have shown the main antioxidant in it, EGCG, to aid fat burning.
How it works: Green tea extract is believed to increase the activity of norepinephrine, a hormone that helps you burn fat (33).
Effectiveness: Many human studies have shown that green tea extract can increase fat burning and cause fat loss, especially in the belly area.
Side effects: Green tea extract is generally well tolerated. It does contain some caffeine and may cause symptoms in people who are caffeine sensitive.
Additionally, all of the health benefits of drinking green tea should apply to green tea extract as well.
BOTTOM LINE:
Green tea and green tea extract can increase fat burning slightly, and may help you lose belly fat.
16. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, has been a popular fat loss supplement for years.
It is one of the “healthier” trans fats and is found naturally in some fatty animal foods like cheese and butter.
How it works: CLA may reduce appetite, boost metabolism and stimulate the breakdown of body fat.
Effectiveness: In a major review of 18 different studies, CLA caused weight loss of about 0.2 pounds (0.1 kg) per week, for up to 6 months.
According to another review study from 2012, CLA can make you lose about 3 lbs (1.3 kg) of weight, compared to a dummy pill.
Side effects: CLA can cause various digestive side effects, and may have harmful effects over the long term, potentially contributing to fatty liver, insulin resistance, and increased inflammation.
BOTTOM LINE:
CLA is an effective weight loss supplement, but it may have harmful effects over the long term. The small amount of weight loss is not worth the risk.
17. Forskolin
Forskolin is an extract from a plant in the mint family, claimed to be effective for losing weight.
How it works: It is believed to raise levels of a compound inside cells called cAMP, which may stimulate fat burning.
Effectiveness: One study in 30 overweight and obese men showed that forskolin reduced body fat and increased muscle mass while having no effect on body weight. Another study in 23 overweight women found no effects.
Side effects: There is very limited data on the safety of this supplement or the risk of side effects.
BOTTOM LINE:
The two small studies on forskolin have shown conflicting results. It is best to avoid this supplement until more research is done.
18. Bitter Orange / Synephrine
A type of orange called bitter orange contains the compound synephrine.
Synephrine is related to ephedrine, which used to be a popular ingredient in various weight loss pill formulations.
However, ephedrine has since been banned as a weight loss ingredient by the FDA because of serious side effects.
How it works: Synephrine shares similar mechanisms with ephedrine but is less potent. It can reduce appetite and significantly increase fat burning.
Effectiveness: Very few studies have been done on synephrine, but ephedrine has been shown to cause significant short-term weight loss in many studies.
Side effects: Like ephedrine, synephrine may have serious side effects related to the heart. It may also be addictive.
BOTTOM LINE:
Synephrine is a fairly potent stimulant, and probably effective for weight loss in the short term. However, the side effects can be serious, so this should only be used with extreme caution.
Prescription Medication
Additionally, there are many prescription weight loss pills that have been shown to be effective.
The most common ones are Contrave, Phentermine, and Qsymia.
According to a recent 2014 review study, even prescription weight loss pills don’t work as well as you would hope.
On average, they may help you lose up to 3-9% of body weight compared to a dummy pill.
Keep in mind that this is only when combined with a healthy weight loss diet. They are ineffective on their own, and hardly a solution to obesity.
Not to mention their many side effects.
Take Home Message
Out of the 12 suggestions from healthline.com, the health site went further to make a review of those that are clear winners, with the strongest evidence to back them up:
- Weight loss: Glucomannan, CLA and Orlistat (Alli)
- Increased fat burning: Caffeine and green tea extract
However, I have to advise against Orlistat due to the unpleasant side effects, and against CLA due to the harmful effects on metabolic health.
That leaves us with glucomannan, green tea extract, and caffeine.
These supplements can be useful, but the effects are modest at best.
Unfortunately, NO supplement or pill really works that well for weight loss.
They may give your metabolism a bit of a nudge and help you lose a few pounds, but that’s where it ends, unfortunately.
Cutting carbs and eating more protein are still the best ways to lose weight, and work better than all the diet pills combined.
Weight-loss drugs aren’t an easy answer to weight loss. But they may help you make the necessary lifestyle changes to lose weight and improve your health.
