A systematic review on the clinical significance of nutraceuticals for weight loss

Abstract

Aim To find out if weight loss nutraceuticals can result in clinically significant weight loss. Methods Bibliographic databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science, reference lists of eligible studies and review articles and conference proceedings were searched for randomised clinical trials of nutraceuticals for weight loss. Studies not meeting our eligibility criteria were discarded. A mean difference of 5 between-group weight loss was considered clinically significant. PROSPERO protocol identifier: CRD42021238650 Results We found that out of 196 sources of nutraceutical products, Portulaca oleracea, Garcinia cambogia, green tea, carnitine, Irvingia, pyruvate, chitosan, chromium, Gymnema sylvestre, turmeric and conjugated linoleic acid supplements had at least one reported clinical significance. None of them were consistent in showing this result and none had a meta-analysis to approve their clinical significance. Conclusion Current randomised trials and meta-analyses studying single sourced weight loss nutraceuticals don’t strongly support their use for weight loss. P. oleracea, G. cambogia, green tea, carnitine, Irvingia, pyruvate, chitosan, chromium, G. sylvestre, turmeric and conjugated linoleic acid should further be studied to identify and develop potent bioactive agents which may result in better clinical results. © 2023, Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia. All rights reserved.