EatQOD

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/79/4/529

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 4, 529-536, April 2004
Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review1,2
Max H Pittler and Edzard Ernst

Results: Five systematic reviews and meta-analyses and 25 additional trials were included and reviewed. Data on the following dietary supplements were identified: chitosan, chromium picolinate, Ephedra sinica, Garcinia cambogia, glucomannan, guar gum, hydroxy-methylbutyrate, plantago psyllium, pyruvate, yerba maté, and yohimbe. The reviewed studies provide some encouraging data but no evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that any specific dietary supplement is effective for reducing body weight. The only exceptions are E. sinica– and ephedrine-containing supplements, which have been associated with an increased risk of adverse events.