Visit The Franklin Mint. Restricting fatty foods may cause weight loss in the short term, he says, but bodies tend to gradually compensate to regain it for unknown reasons. Studies of dieters for periods of more than a year show that getting 18-40 percent of total calories from fat has little effect on body fat. Willett also notes that Americans' two-decade trend of reducing fat calories has paralleled a massive rise in obesity. Willett urges an increase in physical activity as the most effective way to fight obesity.
Several studies say no.
But new research at Texas' Baylor College of Medicine finds that chromium picolinate supplements may cause significant weight loss. Body fat in chromium users also fell 6.3 percent, compared with 1.2 percent in non-users. Researchers theorize chromium picolinate improves cells' ability to use insulin, reducing fat deposits. Walter C. Amer. 556S-562S Chromium vs. Fat Kaats, G.R., et al.