Dear Dr. Walt, it seems that there are countless weight loss supplements advertised. What works? And, how do I avoid frauds and fakes? — Needing to Lose Weight in Nebraska

Dear Craving,

There are “countless” weight-loss supplements.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) couldn’t be clearer:

Ads for weight loss products promise miracles. They might say that the product works for everyone or will let you lose weight permanently. Those claims are lies. Dishonest advertisers will tell you anything to get you to buy their product. [emphasis mine]

They add,

The FTC has investigated, sued, and stopped many companies that made false weight-loss claims in their ads. If you get wooed by a weight-loss ad with wild promises, all you’ll lose is your money. And the products might not even be safe.

Unfortunately, for every deceitful or fraudulent product the FTC stops, another 10 pop up.

FTC scientists join with almost every objective, independent weight-loss expert in pointing out just a few of the false promises from weight-loss ads: 

• “Lose weight without dieting or exercising. (You won’t.)
• You don’t have to watch what you eat to lose weight. (You do.)
• If you use this product, you’ll lose weight permanently. (Wrong.)
• To lose weight, all you have to do is take this pill. (Not true.)
• You can lose 30 pounds in 30 days and keep it off forever. (Nope.)
• This product works for everyone. (It doesn’t.)
• Lose weight with this patch or cream. (You can’t.)”

The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH ODS) writes:

There’s little scientific evidence that weight-loss supplements work.

ConsumerLab.com advises:

There isn’t overwhelming evidence that any dietary supplement enables significant, long-term weight loss.

According to the experts at Natural Medicines^TM, there is no herb, vitamin, or dietary supplement that is both “safe” and “effective” for weight loss.

So, what are your options? Watch the next two video blogs and consider picking up a copy of my book, The Natural Medicines Handbook: The Truth about the Most Effective Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements for Common Conditions.

TO LEARN MORE OR ORDER A COPY CLICK HERE

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