There was no significant difference between the groups in the studies regarding L-carnitina and flaxseed .
There is a lack of evidence regarding quality studies justifying the use of alternative products for weight loss
OBJECTIVE The high dem and for obesity treatment and conventional therapies ' lack of effectiveness increases the use of alternative products .
This study was aim ed at assessing evidence from r and omised clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of alternative weight-loss products ' ingredients .
Use of nonprescription weight loss products: results from a multistate survey.
CONTEXT Lifestyle changes to lose weight can be difficult ; hence , both prescription and nonprescription diet products are appealing . Usage patterns of the nonprescription products phenylpropanolamine ( PPA ) and ephedra are of particular interest because of recent safety concerns . OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of overall and specific  nonprescription weight loss product  use by demographic characteristics , prescription diet pill use , diabetic status , and lifestyle choices . DESIGN AND SETTING The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System , a r and om-digit telephone survey conducted in 1998 in 5 states : Florida , Iowa , Michigan , West Virginia , and Wisconsin . PARTICIPANTS Population -based sample of 14 679 noninstitutionalized adults 18 years or older . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of nonprescription weight loss product use in 1996 - 1998 . RESULTS Seven percent reported overall  nonprescription weight loss product use , 2 % reported PPA use , and 1 % reported ephedra product use . Overall use was especially common among young obese women ( 28.4 % ) . Moreover , 7.9 % of normal-weight women reported use . There was no difference in  nonprescription weight loss product use by daily consumption of fruits and vegetables ; however , more users than nonusers reported being physically active ( for those who exercised > /=30 minutes 5 times per week , odds ratio , 1.5 ; 95 % confidence interval , 1.2 - 2.0 ) . Among prescription weight loss product users , 33.8 % also took nonprescription product .  CONCLUSIONS With increasing rates of obesity ,  nonprescription product  use is likely to increase . Clinicians should know about their patients ' use of both prescription and nonprescription weight loss products
There was no significant difference between the groups in the studies regarding L-carnitina and flaxseed .
There is a lack of evidence regarding quality studies justifying the use of alternative products for weight loss
OBJECTIVE The high dem and for obesity treatment and conventional therapies ' lack of effectiveness increases the use of alternative products .
This study was aim ed at assessing evidence from r and omised clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of alternative weight-loss products ' ingredients .