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By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Show references Dietary supplements for weight loss. Office of Dietary Supplements. Accessed Oct. Perreault L. Obesity in adults: Drug therapy.

Dietary supplements. Food and Drug Administration. Barrea L, et al. Nutritionist and obesity: Brief overview on efficacy, safety, and drug interactions of the main weight-loss dietary supplements. International Journal of Obesity Supplements. Bray GA, et al. The science of obesity management: An Endocrine Society scientific statement.

Endocrinology Review. Raynor HA, et al. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Interventions for the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Esteghamati A, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of obesity: A critical review.

International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Using dietary supplements wisely. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

The truth behind weight loss ads. Federal Trade Commission. Bauer BA expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Products and Services The Mayo Clinic Diet Online A Book: The Mayo Clinic Diet Bundle. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Incontinence The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press The Essential Diabetes Book Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book.

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Find a doctor. Summary Oregano is an herb that contains carvacrol. One animal study showed that carvacrol may help decrease weight and fat gain by altering fat synthesis in the body.

Human-based research on oregano and weight loss is lacking. Ginseng is a plant with health-promoting properties that is often considered a staple in traditional Chinese medicine. It can be categorized into several different types, including Korean, Chinese and American, all of which belong to the same genus of ginseng plants.

One small study found that taking Korean ginseng twice daily for eight weeks resulted in quantifiable reductions in body weight, as well as changes in gut microbiota composition Similarly, an animal study showed that ginseng combatted obesity by altering fat formation and delaying intestinal fat absorption Summary Ginseng, which is often used in traditional Chinese medicine, may stimulate weight loss, delay fat absorption and modify fat formation.

One week study in 33 people found that participants who took Caralluma Fimbriata had significantly greater decreases in belly fat and body weight, compared to those on a placebo Another small study showed that consuming 1 gram of Caralluma Fimbriata daily for two months led to reductions in weight and hunger levels , compared to a control group Summary Caralluma Fimbriata is an herb commonly used in diet pills that may help decrease appetite to stimulate weight loss.

Turmeric is a spice revered for its flavor, vibrant color and potent medicinal properties. Most of its health benefits are attributed to the presence of curcumin, a chemical that has been studied extensively for its effects on everything from inflammation to weight loss.

Similarly, an animal study found that supplementing mice with curcumin for 12 weeks reduced body weight and body fat by blocking the synthesis of fat However, keep in mind that these studies use a concentrated amount of curcumin, far greater than the amount present in a typical dose of turmeric.

Summary Turmeric is a spice that contains curcumin, which has been shown to aid weight loss and fat loss in human and animal studies.

Black pepper is a common household spice derived from the dried fruit of Piper nigrum , a flowering vine native to India. It contains a powerful compound called piperine, which supplies both its pungent flavor and potential weight-lowering effects. One study found that supplementing with piperine helped reduce body weight in rats on a high-fat diet, even with no changes in food intake A test-tube study also showed that piperine effectively inhibited fat cell formation Further studies are needed to determine how piperine and black pepper may influence weight loss in humans.

Summary Black pepper contains piperine, which has been shown to help decrease body weight and inhibit fat cell formation in test-tube and animal studies.

Human research is lacking. Gymnema sylvestre is an herb that is often used as a natural remedy to help reduce blood sugar levels.

However, some research shows that it may also benefit those looking to lose weight. It contains a compound called gymnemic acid, which can help reduce the perceived sweetness of foods to ward off sugar cravings In fact, one study concluded that taking Gymnema sylvestre reduced both appetite and food intake, compared to a control group A three-week animal study also found that eating this herb helped maintain body weight in rats on a high-fat diet Summary Gymnema sylvestre is an herb often used to lower blood sugar.

Human and animal studies show that it may also aid weight loss by reducing appetite and food intake. Cinnamon is an aromatic spice made from the inner bark of trees in the Cinnamomum genus. Some studies have even found that cinnamon could increase weight loss.

Studies show that a specific compound found in cinnamon can mimic the effects of insulin, helping transport sugar from the bloodstream to your cells to be used as fuel 24 , Cinnamon may also decrease levels of certain digestive enzymes to slow the breakdown of carbohydrates While these effects could potentially decrease appetite and lead to weight loss, more research is needed to study the effects of cinnamon directly on weight.

Summary Cinnamon is a spice that can decrease blood sugar, which could lead to reduced appetite and hunger. One study found that consuming green coffee reduced body mass index BMI and belly fat in 20 participants, even with no changes in calorie intake Another review of three studies concluded that green coffee bean extract may decrease body weight by 5.

However, researchers noted that the quality and size of available studies was somewhat limited Therefore, more high-quality studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of green coffee bean on weight loss. Summary Green coffee bean extract is made from unroasted coffee beans.

Some research suggests that it could help reduce body weight and belly fat. Cumin is a spice made from the dried and ground seeds of Cuminum cyminum , a flowering plant of the parsley family.

One small, three-month study found that women who consumed yogurt with 3 grams of cumin twice daily lost more weight and body fat than a control group Similarly, an eight-week study reported that adults who took a cumin supplement three times a day lost 2. Summary Cumin is a common spice that has been shown to effectively decrease body weight and body fat.

One animal study found that cardamom powder helped reduce belly fat in rats on a high-fat, high-carb diet Similarly, another animal study showed that black cardamom in particular was effective in reducing both belly fat and total body fat in rats on a high-fat diet Summary Cardamom is a highly prized spice that has been shown to reduce belly and body fat in some animal studies.

Human-based research is lacking. When used as a seasoning for foods, the aforementioned herbs and spices can provide a burst of health benefits with minimal risk of side effects. Stick to no more than one tablespoon 14 grams per day and be sure to pair them with nutrient-rich whole foods to help boost weight loss even more.

If you experience any negative side effects or food allergy symptoms, discontinue use immediately and talk to a trusted healthcare practitioner. Summary When used as a seasoning, most herbs and spices pose minimal risk of side effects.

Besides adding a punch of flavor to your favorite foods, many herbs and spices have been shown to increase metabolism, enhance fat burning and promote feelings of fullness. Diversifying your spice cabinet is a simple and easy way to increase weight loss with minimal effort.

Be sure to combine these herbs with a well-rounded, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle to get the most bang for your buck with weight loss. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Fenugreek is an herb and supplement that has many benefits for your health.

Learn more about fenugreek's benefits, safety, and side effects here. People have used cayenne peppers medicinally for thousands of years. They're also nutritious and great for cooking.

Here are 6 benefits of cayenne….

This content does not have an Arabic version. Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Weight loss.

Sections Basics Weight-loss basics Diet plans The Mayo Clinic Diet Diet and exercise Diet pills, supplements and surgery In-Depth Expert Answers Multimedia Resources News From Mayo Clinic What's New.

Products and services. Dietary supplements for weight loss Melt away fat. Lose weight naturally. Tempting claims, but do the products deliver?

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Show references Dietary supplements for weight loss. Office of Dietary Supplements.

Accessed Oct. Perreault L. Obesity in adults: Drug therapy. Dietary supplements. Food and Drug Administration. Barrea L, et al. Nutritionist and obesity: Brief overview on efficacy, safety, and drug interactions of the main weight-loss dietary supplements. International Journal of Obesity Supplements.

Bray GA, et al. The science of obesity management: An Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocrinology Review. Raynor HA, et al. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Interventions for the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults.

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Esteghamati A, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of obesity: A critical review. International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Using dietary supplements wisely.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The truth behind weight loss ads. Federal Trade Commission. Bauer BA expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Products and Services The Mayo Clinic Diet Online A Book: The Mayo Clinic Diet Bundle. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Incontinence The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press The Essential Diabetes Book Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book.

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Cart 0. Your cart is currently empty. Conclusion: There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend any of the herbal medicines for weight loss included in the present review. Keywords: herbal medicines; meta-analysis; systematic review; weight loss.

Abstract Aim: To update the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of complementary medicines to assist in weight loss by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of herbal medicines for weight loss. Publication types Meta-Analysis Research Support, Non-U.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.

Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Weight loss. Sections Basics Weight-loss basics Diet plans The Mayo Clinic Diet Diet and exercise Diet pills, supplements and surgery In-Depth Expert Answers Multimedia Resources News From Mayo Clinic What's New.

Products and services. Dietary supplements for weight loss Melt away fat. Lose weight naturally. Tempting claims, but do the products deliver? By Mayo Clinic Staff.

Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.

Show references Dietary supplements for weight loss. Office of Dietary Supplements. Accessed Oct. Perreault L. Obesity in adults: Drug therapy. Dietary supplements.

Food and Drug Administration. Barrea L, et al. Nutritionist and obesity: Brief overview on efficacy, safety, and drug interactions of the main weight-loss dietary supplements. International Journal of Obesity Supplements.

Bray GA, et al. The science of obesity management: An Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocrinology Review. Raynor HA, et al. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Interventions for the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults.

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Esteghamati A, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of obesity: A critical review.

Conclusion: There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend any of the herbal medicines for weight loss included in the present review. Keywords: herbal medicines; meta-analysis; systematic review; weight loss. Abstract Aim: To update the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of complementary medicines to assist in weight loss by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of herbal medicines for weight loss.

Publication types Meta-Analysis Research Support, Non-U. Studies on herbs for weight loss suggest that some may reduce various indicators of obesity. Turmeric and green coffee bean extract appear to have value for this use, and they have a good safety profile. As some herbs can have a strong effect on individuals and interact with the medications they take, a person should always check with a doctor before taking them.

There are some herbs that may have benefits for thyroid conditions. However, does the science back this? Read on for more. Several herbs and spices have multiple health benefits. Learn more. Researchers say bariatric surgery can help with weight loss, but it can also help improve cognitive functions including memory.

Researchers say running can help with weight loss but only in the short term. This form of exercise does have other health benefits from maintaining….

Researchers people with diabetes who also have obesity or other weight issues can lower their risk of chronic kidney disease with regular moderate to….

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. What herbs can aid in weight loss? Medically reviewed by Adrienne Seitz, MS, RD, LDN , Nutrition — By Mary West on May 17, Cinnamon Fenugreek Ginger Ginseng Cayenne pepper Caralluma fimbriata Turmeric Gymnema sylvestre Green coffee bean extract Cumin Safety Summary Research on herbs for weight loss suggests that some botanicals may have value.

Cayenne pepper. Caralluma fimbriata. Gymnema sylvestre. Green coffee bean extract. Safety and health considerations. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

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