The truth about diet supplements

Goggle "diet supplements" and you'll get about 13 million search results, most from companies selling products that promise to cure your weight problem - in as little as a week. Their proprietary formulas, which can cost $40 a bottle and up, are touted as "all natural", "healthy" and "proven to work" with "no side effects". But weight loss is neither quick nor easy. Nothing "melts fat away", and certain pills can have serious side effects. Dietary supplements do not have to be tested for safety or effectiveness, nor do they have to list warnings or contraindications. And the FDA can pull them from the market after there's proven evidence of harm. Products such as ephedra, dimethylamylamine or geranium oil, have serious problems and even deaths were reported. Some weight loss products have been found to contain undeclared pharmaceuticals, which can be harmful if not used properly. Bottom line: don't expect such supplement to help you lose much weight. Even if some do cause you to lose a few pounds, none are proven to sustain weight loss, which is key. Exercise and healthy diet are still the safest and best way to meet and maintain your body weight. (adapted from University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter). In my next blog I will present some good food choices for fall. Enjoy the great weather and keep training everyone!

Let's connect at gaiaadventures@shaw.ca Catherine D'Aoust, Kinesiologist, Personal Training, Better Aging http://www.gaiaadventures.com 604 329.1257