Slimming Products

Winners Explained

 

SC Quality Benchmark for Slimming Products   This is a diverse category of products, and because the ‘intended benefit´ is defined as weight loss, the quality benchmark for this category is independent evidence that a product has been shown in dietary trials to contribute positively to weight reduction as part of a calorie controlled diet.

 

At any one time, it is considered that over 20% of the adult population in the UK is undertaking some kind of diet to promote weight reduction. As such, slimming and weight reduction supplements and associated products claiming to help in this endeavour are often quite actively sought by the consumer.

However, as consistent and healthy weight reduction can only be achieved by reduction of calorific intake and / or increase in physical activity levels, for supplement products to be effective they must in some way support either or both of these parameters.

In addition, it is important that there is some supporting scientific evidence that measures the actual performance of potentially useful supplements.

Quality

During the review of supplements for the weight reduction market, SC has found a large range in the quality of products. There is a wide spectrum of potential to deliver the intended benefits of assisting weight loss as part of a calorie controlled diet; this is very important, as it is a pre-requisite to any of these supplements having a positive effect. Unfortunately, there are many products on sale that target the weight reduction market which have very little, if any, evidence of effect.

The Meal Replacement Products

In our review of the scientific evidence of effect, SC has concluded that the most consistent and credible supplements for weight loss are the meal replacement products typified by Slim Fast. These products are normally sold alongside supplements which is why they have been included in this review.

In an analysis of several trials over a period of three months, nearly six extra pounds of weight was lost in people who used meal liquid replacements as part of their calorie restricted diet, compared to those who had the same intake of calories spread over three conventional meals.

Of the products reviewed here, the Slim Fast range of powders and ready to drink liquids, as well as those offered by ASDA and Tesco, were of high quality, often offering a vitamin and mineral inclusion level higher than many multivitamin and mineral supplements as a bonus. These products (particularly the powder form) are also very good value, given that they effectively take the place of a meal.

The Slimming Aids in Tablet Form

Of the 16 products reviewed here, those that included appropriate levels of CLA, such as Natures Best, Tesco CLA and Vitabiotics Dietrim offer some evidence of being effective. Similarly, there is credible evidence for the effects of white kidney bean extract products included in Phase 2, and also for the Palm Oil and Oat Oil mix provided by Slimthru.

Unfortunately, the supporting evidence for the range of Herbal products, Fibre products and Apple Cider Vinegar products is either very weak or non-existent.

Value

The Meal Replacement Products

The meal replacement products offer very good value overall, particularly the powder form, with prices of £0.30 - £0.40 per meal. Those in ready to drink form vary from about £0.78 - £1.18 per meal.

The Slimming Aids in Tablet Form

Of the ‘slimming tablets’ that have some evidence of effect, none are particularly inexpensive, but Nature’s Best CLA, and Phase 2 from Nutricare are both reasonably priced if they deliver benefits. Similarly, Slimthru is expensive but as it suppresses appetite you should eat less food, and so may indirectly save money.

The products that have little or no evidence of benefit range from some of the traditional herbal remedy products, which are relatively inexpensive, to some very expensive preparations. Unfortunately, in some cases, high prices might be paid for products with very little likelihood of delivering any benefit.