From the Guidelines
Methylene blue is not recommended for weight loss as it lacks sufficient evidence for effectiveness and safety in this application. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, published in 2023, emphasizes the importance of evidence-based approaches for weight loss, such as caloric deficit through dietary changes, regular physical activity, and FDA-approved weight loss medications prescribed by healthcare providers. This study highlights that despite widespread marketing and exorbitant claims, there is no clear evidence that nutrition supplements, including those that may contain methylene blue, are effective for obesity management or weight loss.
Some key points to consider for weight loss include:
- Assessing an individual’s motivation level, life circumstances, and willingness to implement behavioral changes to achieve weight loss, as recommended by 1.
- Focusing on ongoing monitoring of body weight, nutrition, and behavioral changes, as well as participation in high levels of physical activity, as suggested by 1.
- Considering FDA-approved weight loss medications, such as those mentioned in 1 and 1, which have been shown to have modest weight loss benefits, although with potential side effects and lack of long-term safety data.
- Avoiding unscientific and potentially dangerous practices, including the use of unapproved supplements or medications, as warned against in 1.
Additionally, methylene blue can cause significant side effects, including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, blue discoloration of urine and skin, and can interact dangerously with certain medications, particularly SSRIs and MAOIs, potentially causing serotonin syndrome, as noted in 1 and 1.
For weight loss, individuals should instead focus on evidence-based approaches, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study, 1. This includes caloric deficit through dietary changes, regular physical activity, and, when appropriate, FDA-approved weight loss medications prescribed by healthcare providers.
From the Research
Methylene Blue and Weight Loss
- There is no direct evidence to suggest that methylene blue is effective and safe for weight loss 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Methylene blue is primarily used to treat methemoglobinemia, a condition where the blood cannot effectively carry oxygen 3, 4, 5.
- The use of methylene blue has been associated with several adverse effects, including hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, dyspnea, and hypertension 2, 3, 4.
- Some studies have explored the potential neuroprotective effects of methylene blue, but its use for weight loss has not been investigated 6.
Safety and Efficacy
- The safety and efficacy of methylene blue for weight loss have not been established 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The available evidence suggests that methylene blue can be effective in treating methemoglobinemia, but its use is associated with potential risks and adverse effects 2, 3, 4.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using methylene blue for weight loss, but currently, there is no evidence to support its use for this purpose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Potential Risks
- The use of methylene blue has been associated with several potential risks, including hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, and other adverse effects 2, 3, 4.
- Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as G-6-PD deficiency, may be at increased risk of adverse effects from methylene blue 3, 4.
- The potential risks and benefits of using methylene blue for weight loss have not been fully investigated, and its use for this purpose is not recommended 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.