More than one in seven American adults have used nonprescription dietary supplements to try to lose weight, according to researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Nearly 9,500 people over age 18 were asked about ?the prevalence and duration of nonprescription weight-loss supplement use, associated weight-control behaviors, discussion of use with a health-care professional and specific ingredient use.?
Approximately 15 percent of the respondents said they had used weight-loss supplements, and 8.7 percent said they had done so in the past year. The highest use was among women 18 to 34 years old (16.7 percent). Nearly three-fourths of respondents (73.8 percent) said they have used a supplement containing a stimulant including ephedra, caffeine and/or bitter orange.
The researchers conclude: ?Qualified professionals should inquire about use of supplements for weight loss to facilitate discussion about the lack of efficacy data, possible adverse effects, as well as dispel misinformation that may interfere with sound weight-management practices.?
Additional research articles in the March Journal of the American Dietetic Association include:
?Supplementation with Soy-Protein-Rich Foods Does Not Enhance Weight Loss?
?Safety and Efficacy of a Ginkgo Biloba Containing Dietary Supplement on Cognitive Function, Quality of Life and Platelet Function in Healthy Cognitively Intact Older Adults?
?Accuracy of Resting Energy Expenditure Prediction in Hospitalized Patients?
?Nutrition Support Following the American Dietetic Association Medical Nutrition Therapy Protocol for Radiation Oncology Patients Improves Dietary Intake Compared with Standard Practice?
?Preferences of Dietitians and Nurses Recommending Artificial Nutrition and Hydration for Elderly Patients ?
?Feeding Practices of Severely Ill Intensive Care Unit Patients: An Evaluation of Energy Sources and Clinical Outcomes.?