Popular Diet Plans

Fat Burners

Over the counter diet supplements such as Ultra burn, and CitraLean claim that they help you "burn fat." They contain HCA or Hydroxycitric Acid.

Citric acid is a key player in the process that turns food we eat into the calories our bodies burn or store as fat. HCA is a modified form of citric acid that inhibits the enzyme that normally helps convert citric acid to fat. Thus, HCA may be able to temporarily prevent calories from being stored in bellies, hips, and thighs.

Critics point out research that showed toxicities in animals when given HCA including testicular atrophy (withering). No human trials are available.

In Mexico, 18 obese men and women took 1,500 mg of a garcinia cambogia extract each day and were told to eat a 1,000-to-1,500-calorie diet. After eight weeks, they lost nine pounds, significantly more than the two pounds lost by 17 others who were on the same diet plus a placebo.

However, another study showed that HCA may not have any effect on weight loss. Every day for 12 weeks, 42 obese people took 1,500 mg of the Citrin brand of HCA while 42 other obese people got a placebo. Both groups were told to eat high-fiber diets with only 1,200 calories a day. After three months, the placebo-takers had lot nine pounds, the HCA-takers seven pounds. Statistically, that's a tie. Animal studies, however, showed that HCA can result in weight loss if given at higher doses.

Safety aside, with just two decent human studies that show opposite results, the bottom line is murky.

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