From the Guidelines
There are currently no weight loss supplements approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia that have been proven effective for weight loss. The only TGA-approved medications for weight management are prescription medications such as Saxenda (liraglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), Xenical (orlistat), and Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) 1. These are not supplements but prescription medications that require doctor supervision due to potential side effects and contraindications. They work through various mechanisms such as reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, or reducing fat absorption.
Key Points to Consider
- For effective weight management, healthcare professionals recommend a comprehensive approach including:
- Dietary changes
- Regular physical activity
- Behavioral modifications
- Only using medication when clinically indicated under proper medical supervision
- Over-the-counter supplements marketed for weight loss typically lack strong scientific evidence for their effectiveness and safety, which is why they haven't received TGA approval for weight loss claims 1.
- Some commercial and proprietary weight loss programs have shown promising weight loss results, however, most lack evidence of effectiveness, many do not satisfy guideline recommendations, and some promote unscientific and possibly dangerous practices 1.
- Structured, very-low-calorie meals, typically 800–1,000 kcal/day, utilizing high-protein foods and meal replacement products, may increase the pace and/or magnitude of initial weight loss and glycemic improvements compared with standard behavioral interventions, but should be prescribed only by trained practitioners in medical settings with close ongoing monitoring and integration with behavioral support and counseling 1.
From the Research
TGA Approved Proven Weight Loss Supplements
There are no TGA approved proven weight loss supplements mentioned in the provided studies.
Regulatory Oversight and Efficacy of Weight Loss Supplements
- The use of weight loss supplements is not regulated as "drugs" by the Federal Drug Administration, but rather as dietary supplements if ingredients are "generally regarded as safe" 2.
- There is a lack of evidence and deficiencies in regulatory oversight of dietary supplements marketed for weight loss 2, 3.
- The safety and efficacy of commonly-marketed natural supplements for weight loss have been evaluated, and there is insufficient evidence to suggest that they contribute to significant weight loss, with the exception of perhaps glucomannan in the form of PGX 4.
Safety and Effectiveness of Weight Loss Supplements
- The majority of side-effects reported from the use of natural supplements for weight loss are minor to moderate, and gastrointestinal-related, but in some cases, extreme side-effects such as liver and kidney failure have been observed 4.
- Clinicians cannot ethically recommend over-the-counter dietary supplements for weight loss due to unknown safety and efficacy, incomplete ingredient lists, and misleading advertising 5.
- The scientific evidence of the benefit of weight-loss promoting dietary supplements remains weak, and the risk of adverse effects and drug interactions must be carefully considered before initiating supplementation 6.