Weight Loss

The skinny on berberine: Is it really #naturesozempic?

14-Jul-2023 By Asia Sherman

Botanical extract berberine rose to viral fame earlier this year, touted by TikTok influencers as a weight loss miracle molecule and given the hashtag #naturesozempic. Social media, however, may not always be a credible source of information.

New York State senate passes bill restricting supplements to minors

06-Jun-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Next stop: the governor’s desk. Will Gov. Hochul sign the bill into law or veto it?

Industry on notice as FTC probes social media, video streaming platforms

17-Mar-2023 By Danielle Masterson

The Commission calls out disease prevention ads, weight-loss products and MLMs as it investigates the inner workings of social media and its function in deceptive online advertising.

Probiotic from earthworm intestine shows obesity prevention potential in mice

10-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

Brevibacillus laterosporus BL1 prevents obesity and modulates gut microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), according to a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.

Study warns of abuse potential of synthetic stimulants found in supplements

12-Oct-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new study done in rats has found some synthetic phenethylamine analogs found in weight management dietary supplements may have abuse potential.

Confused regulatory position of hordenine, octopamine figures into warning letter

29-Sep-2022 By Hank Schultz

Hordenine and octopamine—ingredients of concern for FDA—made another appearance in a warning letter sent to a New York-based supplement manufacturer.

SlimFast introduces intermittent fasting product line

27-Sep-2022 By Danielle Masterson

With more than 12 million US households reportedly practicing intermittent fasting, a steady flow of supplements and apps have debuted that cater to this lifestyle.

Plexus unveils new system to take guesswork out of fasting

06-Sep-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The eight-part system includes four products that are brand new.

RCT supports kimchi-derived probiotics' anti-obesity effects

16-Jun-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplementation with novel probiotics isolated from Korean kimchi may slash body weight and reduce abdominal fat in overweight people, says a new study from Korea.

Paper highlights safety of some weight management ingredients

10-May-2022 By Danielle Masterson

With weight loss supplements under attack in several states, researchers rebut with science. The authors of a new paper examine the safety of six ingredients, a move they hope will encourage since-based decisions.

RCT supports plantarum probiotic’s anti-obesity effects

04-May-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplementation with a novel probiotic isolated from Korean fermented foods may slash body weight and reduce abdominal fat in overweight people, says a new study from Korea.

Could ‘vague & draconian’ NY State supplements ban extend beyond weight loss & body building?

16-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The vague language of a controversial bill in the State of New York that aims to restrict the sale of dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building could also encompass esports and creatine.

No dieting silver bullets, expert says

03-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

Sports nutrition products are often linked to certain diet plans, such as ketogenic diets, high protein/low fat approaches and others. A nutrition expert says the prosaic takeaway is that all of these have been shown to work, provided that consumers...

Sabinsa introduces curcumin analogue ingredient rich in Calebin A

01-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

Longtime turmeric purveyor Sabinsa has extended the product line for this venerable ingredient family with a new offering derived from a related species that is high in the compound Calebin A.

Successful losers show way forward for weight management sector

10-Feb-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new study that examines the mindsets of successful weight losers illustrates a trend in the industry in which companies take a holistic approach to the issue, a consultant says.

Navigating the legal landscape of weight loss supplements

08-Feb-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Over 42% of adults in the US are considered obese—giving weight loss brands easy marketing fodder amid the obesity epidemic. Unfortunately, this category of supplements has a checkered history, and has become labeled as one of FDA's problem children.

Vegan diet may be best way to preserve muscle in older, obese people

30-Sep-2021 By Hank Schultz

A group of researchers argue that a methionine restricting diet may be the best way to reverse the damage a high fat diet can do to the muscles of older obese subjects.

FDA issues another warning in 10-year fight against sibutramine

30-Aug-2021 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration has sent another warning letter in its decade-long campaign against the use of the weight loss drug sibutramine in dietary supplements.

New York lawmakers to vote on bill to restrict supplement sales

08-Jun-2021 By Hank Schultz

A bill that would significantly restrict the sale of some dietary supplements in New York State has quickly advanced to a vote by the full State Senate, greatly increasing the chances it could become law.

California bill would restrict access to weight loss supplements, impose hefty fines

23-Feb-2021 By Hank Schultz

A bill introduced in the California State legislature would restrict the sale of weight loss supplements and impose significant penalties for noncompliance, the Natural Products Alliance has warned.

NutraVideo: Dr. James Kelley on fasting with food

09-Dec-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Scientists have found a way to avoid triggering food sensing pathways that leave the body in a fasting state.

Tespo zeroes in on nutrition for bariatric demographic

09-Dec-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Tespo recently launched a new product to support bariatric surgery patients and a digital health platform to help them meet their nutritional challenges.

Vitamin A and cold temperatures could lead to novel obesity therapeutics: study

22-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

While not everyone is thrilled cold weather season is upon us, it could be welcome news for those who want to shed a few pounds. Growing research finds that being cold may be an effective form of exercise.

CLA supplements may preserve, increase muscle during dieting: RCT

20-Jul-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing a weight-loss lifestyle with CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) may help preserve muscle mass, says a new study that adds to the science supporting the potential body composition benefits of the ingredient.

Probiotics intake boosts post-meal lipid metabolism – Korean RCT

27-Feb-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A Korean RCT showed that the intake of the probiotic lactobacillus plantarum Q180 (LPQ180) is able to regulate post-meal lipid metabolism.

NPA says email campaign helped forestall Illinois bills on weight loss, CBD products

06-Feb-2020 By Hank Schultz

The Natural Products Association credits a grass roots pressure campaign with forestalling the advance of two troublesome Illinois State measures. One affects weight management supplements and the other CBD businesses.

Beneo touts new isomaltulose scientific research on fat burning

22-Jan-2020 By Danielle Masterson

A new study suggests the slow release carbohydrate Palatinose delivers greater loss in body weight and fat mass.

Study links low fat diet to decreased testosterone in men

13-Jan-2020 By Danielle Masterson

In many cases, weight loss may be the key to help increase testosterone levels. However, a new study found that a low-fat diet may be associated with a reduction in testosterone.

Gencor boasts research that suggests C. fimbriata extract (Slimaluma) suppresses appetite, boosts mood

07-Jan-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The botanical ingredients supplier said the appetite suppressing qualities of Slimaluma make it an ideal addition to modern diets.

Intermittent fasting: Eating less may lead to living longer

03-Jan-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Emerging as one of the most popular diets in 2019, intermittent fasting was the most Googled diet of the year. But its benefits go well beyond weight loss.

From the editor's desk

Looking for the best the weight management category has to offer

06-Dec-2019 By Hank Schultz

The growing obesity epidemic has flummoxed public health officials. Unfortunately, the dietary supplement industry has a checkered history in helping to find solutions.

New Zealand flower extract helps curb hunger during intermittent fasting: Study

06-Dec-2019 By Danielle Masterson

Intermittent fasting has gained traction in the United States as a way to lose weight. Amarasate, a weight-management extract, is being touted as an effective anorexigenic agent for such a diet.

Can increased potassium intake help with weight loss?

03-Jun-2019 By Adi Menayang

Researchers in Israel reported that participants in a dieting study who showed greater Body Mass Index (BMI) decreases had higher potassium intakes than those with modest BMI decreases.

New report supports chromium picolinate’s weight management benefits

02-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

A new review of published studies argues that the trace mineral chromium picolinate may have an edge over other popular weight management ingredients because it helps users preserve lean body mass.

Paired with exercise, betaine supplementation linked to fat mass reduction in women

01-Aug-2018 By Adi Menayang

Female collegiate athletes who ingested a betaine supplement for several days had more decreases in body fat percentage and fat mass than a placebo group in a randomized, controlled trial.

Capsaicin, green tea have strong body of science supporting weight management benefits

29-May-2018 By Adi Menayang

According to a meta-analysis conducted by Iranian researchers, supplementation of capsaicin and green tea have strong bodies of science supporting their potential weight management benefits.

New Zealand hunger-suppressant supplement calocurb enters US market. Can it overcome the category's stigma?

21-May-2018 By Adi Menayang

A supplement containing a proprietary hop flower extract from New Zealand is entering the US market, positioned for weight management through appetite control.

Massachusetts shelves bill to restrict sale of weight loss and muscle supplements, again

10-May-2018 By Adi Menayang

A bill introduced in the Massachusetts state legislature would have restricted the sale of weight loss and muscle building supplements. It was recently pulled off the floor and sent to the Joint Committee on Public Health.

Mouse study backs weight loss potential of curcumin, piperine combo

05-Apr-2018 By Adi Menayang

Mice given curcumin and piperine while on a calorie restricted diet lost more fat than control group mice and exhibited significantly lower plasma inflammatory markers associated with obesity, according to researchers from Tufts University in Boston and...

Low-carb versus low-fat diets equally effective, says study

21-Feb-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

Reducing carbs or fat has a similar effect on weight loss, according to a new study in JAMA.

Special edition: Weight Management

FTC, media outlets can do more to help curb fraudulent weight loss pill peddling ads, CRN president argues

18-Jan-2018 By Adi Menayang

There are more self-policing initiatives from within the industry compared to four years ago, when a senate informational hearing brought the weight management supplement category to national attention, argued Steve Mister, CEO and president of the trade...

‘Watershed moment for type 2 diabetes understanding and management’ as study confirms disease reversal is possible.

12-Dec-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

The ability to reverse type 2 diabetes (T2D) through an intensive weight management program has been proven in a groundbreaking study recently published in The Lancet.

Repeat offender gets $3.7 million FTC fine over disease claims

04-Dec-2017 By Hank Schultz

A dietary supplement company that has received a previous warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration has agreed to a $3.7 million fine to settle a case brought by the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Maine for making over the top disease...

Death of the pill? To bulk of consumers, 'dietary supplement' means powder or beverage

04-Oct-2017 By Adi Menayang

Consumers today associate the word ‘supplement’ with powders or beverages, more so than capsules, pills, tablets, and so forth, according to analyses of social media chatter by one marketing firm.

Extended release form of herbal weight loss ingredient could be winner in US market, supplier says

25-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

A weight loss supplement that combines four herbal extracts with a fiber carrier is now available in the US in a once-a-day dosage form, through branded ingredient specialist Zanda LLC.

Researchers answer whether a low-fat or low-carb diet is more successful for weight loss

17-Jul-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

The long-raging debate over whether cutting carbs or cutting fat is a better way lose weight is a false dichotomy, according to new research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that found successfully shedding pounds is less about...