Weight loss supplements contain active ingredients — such as fiber, herbs, and minerals — that target your body’s metabolism, fat absorption, and satiety. You may find supplements in tablet, liquid, and powder forms.
There are many supplements on the market, and each has its own claims and potential benefits with regard to weight loss.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
| Can help weight loss | Not enough evidence | Likely doesn’t help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight loss supplement | • African mango • caffeine • carnitine • chromium • conjugated linoleic acid • green coffee bean extract • green tea and extract • pyruvate | • bitter orange • capsaicin • Coleus forskohlii • fucoxanthin • hoodia • probiotics • raspberry ketones | • beta glucan • calcium • chitosan • garcinia cambogia • glucomannan • guar gum • vitamin D • yohimbe |
As the main medical research agency in the United States, the NIH makes important discoveries and publishes countless research articles each year to help people make decisions to benefit their health.
The NIH details the claims behind each of the above weight loss supplements and whether research supports those claims.