5 Popular, Science-Approved Weight Loss Pills and Supplements

You know how challenging losing weight could be. You may have tried some so-called "weight loss supplements" in the past - claiming to help you lose weight, or at least make it easier to lose weight combined with other methods. But none have worked the way you expected. 

Now you are here to find the right fat burner for you. Here are the five most popular, science-approved weight loss pills and supplements.

1. Garcinia Cambogia Extract

Garcinia cambogia became famous worldwide after being featured in Dr. Oz's show in 2012. This supplement is a small, green fruit - shaped like a pumpkin. An active ingredient in Garcinia Cambogia extract, called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), is marketed as a diet pill. Garcinia Cambogia may also cause weight loss of about 2 pounds (0.88 kg) over several weeks, according to a 2011 review that examined at 12 clinical trials.

2. Glucomannan

Also called as "konjac," glucomannan is a type of fiber found in the roots of the elephant yam. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, this pill "sits" in your gut and promotes a feeling of fullness, helping you eat fewer calories. Three individual studies showed that glucomannan - combined with a healthy diet - can help people lose around 8 to 10 pounds (3.6-4.5 kg) of weight in 5 weeks, according to Norway's University of Tromsø.

3. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

Conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, has been a popular fat loss supplement for years to boost metabolism and stimulate the breakdown of body fat, and reduce appetite. CLA caused weight loss of about 0.2 pounds (0.1 kilogram) per week for up to 6 months, according to a major review of 18 different studies made by University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. CLA, according to another 2012 review study, can make you lose about 3 lbs (1.3 kg) of weight compared to a dummy pill.

4. Caffeine

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, caffeine - found in coffee, green tea, and dark chocolate, is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Caffeine could boost metabolism by up to 11 percent and increase fat burning by up to 29 percent, according to short-term studies. 

5. Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract is a common ingredient in most weight loss supplements. According to a study conducted in The Netherlands, green tea extract can increase fat burning and cause fat loss - especially in the belly area. A clinical trial revealed that those 50 overweight women who took a green tea supplement for eight weeks, instead of a placebo, lost more weight. 

Take-Home Message

These five recommended pills could be beneficial for you, but the effects are modest at best. However, NO supplement or medicine works that well for weight loss. Unfortunately, these medications might give your metabolism a bit of a nudge and help you lose a few pounds, but that's where it ends. Reducing carbs and ingesting more protein are still the best ways to lose weight, and work better than all the diet pills combined.