That's part of the reason why there's little scientific evidence to show that weight-loss supplements work. For example, raspberry ketone is marketed as a clinically proven weight-loss product.

That claim is supported by one clinical trial. The trial included 70 adults with obesity. All were placed on a restricted diet and exercise program. They were then randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a supplement containing raspberry ketone, caffeine, bitter orange, ginger and garlic root extract.

While these results are intriguing, the fact that the trial was small and lasted only eight weeks means the results can't be reliably generalized to real-world situations. And importantly, a short trial like this may miss side effects that only become apparent with long-term use.

In addition, the trial used a supplement that contained multiple ingredients. So it's impossible to tell which ingredient was responsible for the weight loss. Ideally these initial results would be tested in a much longer trial involving hundreds of participants with careful monitoring for side effects.

Results from such a trial would allow for an informed decision about the safety and effectiveness of such a product. Until such trial data is more readily available, claims regarding dietary supplements and weight loss should be treated with caution.

A product isn't necessarily safe simply because it's natural. Though rare, some dietary supplements have been linked to serious problems, such as liver damage. Supplements can have strong effects. Ephedra ma-huang is an herb once used for weight loss.

It's now banned by the FDA because it was associated with adverse effects, such as mood changes, high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, stroke, seizures and heart attacks. Some weight-loss supplements have been found to contain hidden ingredients, such as prescription drugs, that may be harmful.

It's important to do your homework if you're thinking about trying a weight-loss supplement. Check credible websites, such as those run by the U. Office of Dietary Supplements and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Also be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any supplement. This is especially important if you have health problems, take prescription drugs, or are pregnant or breast-feeding.

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information.

If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.

Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Weight loss. Sections Basics Weight-loss basics Diet plans The Mayo Clinic Diet Diet and exercise Diet pills, supplements and surgery In-Depth Expert Answers Multimedia Resources News From Mayo Clinic What's New. Products and services.

Dietary supplements for weight loss Melt away fat. Lose weight naturally. Tempting claims, but do the products deliver?

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Show references Dietary supplements for weight loss. Office of Dietary Supplements. Accessed Oct. Perreault L. Obesity in adults: Drug therapy.

Dietary supplements. Food and Drug Administration. Barrea L, et al. Nutritionist and obesity: Brief overview on efficacy, safety, and drug interactions of the main weight-loss dietary supplements. International Journal of Obesity Supplements.

Bray GA, et al. The science of obesity management: An Endocrine Society scientific statement. Options include whey, casein, soy, egg, and hemp protein powders.

Keep in mind that calories are still important. Protein supplements should simply replace snacks or part of a meal, rather than be added on top of your diet.

The recommended daily intake of protein will vary based on your activity levels, age, sex, weight, height, etc. That said, the Recommended Dietary Allowance RDA for protein is 0.

Protein supplements are a convenient way to increase your protein intake. There are two different types of fiber : soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber absorbs water in your digestive tract and forms a viscous gel-like substance Interestingly, studies have shown that soluble fiber can help you burn fat by curbing your appetite 26 , 27 , It can also help reduce levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin 26 , 27 , In addition, soluble fiber helps slow down the delivery of nutrients to the gut.

When this happens, your body takes more time to digest and absorb nutrients, which can leave you feeling full for longer While you can get all the soluble fiber you need from food, many people find this challenging.

Soluble fiber supplements can help you burn fat by curbing your appetite and possibly reducing how many calories you absorb from food. Some great soluble fiber supplements include glucomannan and psyllium husk.

Yohimbine is a substance found in the bark of Pausinystalia yohimbe , a tree found in Central and Western Africa. These receptors normally bind adrenaline to suppress its effects, one of which is encouraging the body to burn fat for fuel.

A study involving 20 elite soccer players found that taking 10 mg of yohimbine twice daily helped them shed 2. Keep in mind that these athletes were already quite lean, so a 2. Further research is needed on the long-term effects of yohimbine.

Nonetheless, more information is needed on yohimbine before it can be recommended as a go-to fat-burning supplement. Furthermore, because yohimbine keeps your adrenaline levels elevated, it may cause side effects like nausea, anxiety, panic attacks, and high blood pressure It also can interact with common medications for blood pressure and depression.

If you take medications for these conditions or have anxiety, you might want to avoid yohimbine Yohimbine may help you burn fat by keeping adrenaline levels high and blocking receptors that normally suppress fat-burning.

However, it can cause unpleasant side effects in some people. However, they often do not live up to their hefty claims and may even harm your health 2. Unfortunately, there have been many cases of fat-burning supplements being pulled off the market because they were tainted with harmful ingredients Additionally, there have been many cases in which contaminated supplements caused dangerous side effects like high blood pressure, strokes, seizures, and even death On a brighter note, the natural supplements listed above can help you burn fat when added to a health-promoting routine.

Keep in mind that a supplement cannot replace a nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise. They simply help you get the most out of health-promoting activities like exercising and eating a balanced diet. In some cases, commercial fat burners can be dangerous, as they are not FDA regulated.

There have been cases of dangerous side effects and contamination with harmful ingredients. Several other supplements may help you lose weight. However, they either have side effects or lack evidence to support their claims.

There are other supplements that may help you burn fat, including 5-HTP, synephrine, green coffee bean extract, CLA, and L-carnitine.

However, they each have limitations. However, plenty of natural solutions can help you burn more fat when combined with a health-promoting lifestyle that includes eating a nutrient-rich diet and exercising. These natural solutions include caffeine, green tea extract, protein supplements, soluble fiber supplements, and yohimbine.

Among these, caffeine, green tea extract, and protein supplements are likely to be the most effective at helping you burn fat. Talk with a healthcare professional before starting the use of any new supplement to make sure you fully understand any risks, benefits, or interactions.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Several natural foods and beverages have been shown to increase metabolism and promote fat loss.

These 11 healthy foods can help you burn fat. testosterone levels are important in both genders, and deficiency can cause weight gain.

Here's how increased testosterone can help you lose fat. Many studies show that green tea can help you lose weight. It contains bioactive substances that can make you burn more calories, even at rest. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant substance that is proven to increase the release of fats from the fat tissues and boost the resting metabolic….

Tribulus terrestris has been used since ancient times and boasts a long list of potential benefits. Here's an evidence-based look at whether Tribulus…. A new study finds that people on the Atlantic Diet were less likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a set of risk factors for diabetes, heart disease….

New research suggests that eating a strict vegan or ketogenic diet can have a rapid positive effect on your immune system. Salmon is a superfood packed with protein, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. Through studying specific metabolites in salmon, scientists now have a….

A new study shows how exposure to junk food content on Instagram increases cravings for salty or fatty foods and leads to feelings of stress, sadness…. Health experts share the most common mistakes people make when adopting the Mediterranean diet and offer tips on how you can avoid them.

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 5 Natural Fat Burners That Work.