7 New Weight Loss Supplements That Really Work

by Melanie Haiken

With all the new weight loss medications entering the market – and engendering controversy – many people are also looking to supplements to aid weight loss. But a visit to those shelves at your local Whole Foods or other health food store, and you’re guaranteed to feel overwhelmed.  Which really work and which don’t? And are they safe?

For information, I looked at the recommendations of prominent naturopathic doctors and the organization Natural Standard, a reputable database of the latest research on supplements.  You’ve likely never heard of many of the supplements listed here, but they’ve all a Natural Standard Grade A or B for having positive scientific evidence supporting their use for weight loss.

1. Hydroxycitrate, Hydroxycitric Acid or HCA

HCA is actually a salt derived from the rind of dried fruit, in particular the Southeast Asian plants brindal berry and Garcinia cambodia. A traditional Indian folk remedy, HCA has been used to treat joint and stomach problems. It’s sold in drug stores and supplement stores as HCA, brindleberry or brindal berry and garcinia, and is the primary ingredient in diet products with names like Citrilite, Citrin, PhyrtriMax, Bio-Max 3000, and Garcinia Trim-Pulse. Research backs the effectiveness of HCA at reducing fat absorption, increasing fat metabolism,  inhibiting appetite, and lowering LDL cholesterol.

2. Chitosan

Read about the origins of chitosan and it sounds pretty gross. Chitosan is a fiber that comes from chitin,  which is the main component in the shells (or exoskeletons, for you scientific types) of insects and crustaceans. Recommended by wholistic practitioners to lower cholesterol , chitosan has also been promoted as a type of dietary fiber that may help reduce the absorption of fat.

3. Whey protein

Healthand sports supplement stores have been touting the benefits of whey protein for years, but mainly for building muscle, which it appears to do. However, whey protein also suppresses appetite, thus helping you eat less. Whey protein, which as you can guess is derived from the whey of milk, is an easily digestible form of protein. It contains high levels of the amino acid cysteine.  And having more muscle helps with weight loss too.

4. Beta Glucan

A concentrated soluble fiber derived from yeasts, mushrooms, and algae, beta-glucans come in many forms but all have the effect of lowering cholesterol with the additional benefits of weight loss and helping control diabetes.

5. Conjugated Linoleic Acid or  CLA

Omega 3 fatty acids and healthy fats are beneficial for all sorts of things, from brain health to heart health. But one of them, CLA, seems to aid in weight loss as well (in addition to having anticancer benefits). CLA is found primarily in beef and dairy products, so if you’re vegetarian or vegan, you likely aren’t getting enough. CLA-enriched dairy products are in the works, but right now you have to take a supplement, most of which are derived from safflower oil.  CLA is one of the more popular health food supplements for reduction of body fat, though the evidence is mixed. Animal studies have sown it to be effective, but human studies have been mixed.

6. Glucomannan


Derived from an Asian plant called Konjac, glucomannan is a fiber considered extremely effective for diabetes and blood sugar control, with the additional properties of weight loss.  Glucomannan has traditionally been an important food source—whether fried, baked, or as a candy. The fiber helps absorb water in the digestive tract, reducing cholesterol and carbohydrate absorption, and research supports its role as an obesity treatment. Glucomannan is also traditionally used as a gel to be applied to the skin.

7. Mango Seed Fiber


Fiber from the seeds of the African mango tree is a traditional African weight loss remedy that’s finding new popularity either alone or combined with other dietary supplements. It’s most commonly used in Africa as a natural antibiotic  and pain reliever. It’s currently being studied for weight loss, diabetes and cholesterol reduction.