When it comes to weight loss, "people are still looking for the easy way out," says Mary Jane Detroyer, M.S., R.D., a registered dietitian in New York City who specializes in women's health issues and weight management. Until recently, the weight-loss supplement craze was fueled by ephedra. But because products containing this herbal stimulant were linked to heart attacks and strokes (some fatal), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered them removed from store shelves by this past April. Plenty of other diet supplements are vying to take ephedra's place, however. Here's what you need to know about some of the most popular ephedra-free "appetite suppressants," "fat burners," "fat blockers" and "carb blockers."

ingredient      what it is               the claim

APPETITE SUPPRESSANTS
Bitter orange   A plant used in          Decreases appetite and the
                traditional and          conversion of carbohydrates to
                modern Chinese           fat
                medicine
Green tea       Concentrated             Reduces appetite and increases
extract         extract of tea           metabolism
                leaves
Guarana         A South American         Suppresses appetite
                herb with naturally
                high concentrations
                of caffeine

FAT BURNERS
Chromium        Chromium is an           Reduces body fat, builds muscle
Picolinate      essential trace          and helps control diabetes
                mineral that works
                with insulin to
                metabolize
                carbohydrate, fat and
                protein. In supplement
                from it's paired with
                picolinic acid, a
                natural substance that
                helps the body absorb
                chromium.
Conjugated      An essential fatty acid  Helps your body break down fat,
linoleic acid   found in some meats and  suppresses appetite and boosts
(CLA)           dairy products           energy
Hydroxy citric  A compound derived from  Reduces appetite, body weight
acid (HCA)      the fruit of a plant     and body fat
                found in Southeast Asia

FAT BLOCKER
Chitosan        A substance similar to   Traps fat from food, promoting
                dietary fiber: derived   weight loss
                from the exoskeletons
                of shellfish and
                insects and found in
                the cell walls of fungi

CARB BLOCKERS
Fenugreek seed  This Mediterranean       Flushes out carbs from your
extract         herb's seed is said to   body before they enter the
                lower blood sugar and    bloodstream, resulting in
                aid digestion.           weight loss
Gymnema         A tropical herb used in  Taking the supplement before a
sylvestre leaf  the ancient Indian       high-carb meal will block some
                medical tradition of     of the starch calories so they
                ayurveda                 pass through the digestive
                                         tract instead of being
                                         absorbed.

ingredient      what you need to know

APPETITE SUPPRESSANTS
Bitter orange   Contains synephrine, a stimulant similar to ephedra,
                which can raise blood pressure. Effect is magnified when
                combined with other stimulants commonly contained in
                diet supplements, including caffeine, guarana (below)
                and kola nut (which is very similar to guarana). No
                solid research supports the product's claims, and the
                FDA is keeping a close eye on this supplement.
Green tea       Although the caffeine in green tea does act as a mild
extract         appetite suppressant, there's no proof that it increases
                metabolism or weight loss in humans.
Guarana         May cause the same serious side effects as ephedra, as
                well as nervousness and insomnia. No research supports
                weight-loss benefits.

FAT BURNERS
Chromium        Chromium may enhance the blood-sugar-lowering effects of
picolinate      diabetes drugs and injected insulin, according to the
                American Dietetic Association (ADA). Diet-supplement
                makers often use this fact to imply that chromium spurs
                weight loss. But there is little evidence that chromium
                increases lean body mass or lowers body fat. These
                supplements may cause headaches, sleep problems and mood
                swings; long-term use may be linked to DNA and cell
                damage.
Conjugated      Although animal studies have shown that CLA trims body
linoleic acid   fat and boosts lean body mass, preliminary human
(CLA)           research hasn't replicated those findings, according to
                the ADA. There are no reported adverse effects.
Hydroxy citric  Poorly designed studies showed weight loss but no
acid (HCA)      decrease in body fat. No long-term safety studies have
                been done on HCA, though diabetics are advised to avoid
                it; there are no reported side effects.

FAT BLOCKER
Chitosan        Most human studies found the weight-reduction claims
                unsubstantiated. Could cause constipation. Should not be
                taken by people with shellfish allergies or
                malabsorption disorders.

CARB BLOCKERS
Fenugreek seed  Fenugreek is not a carb blocker, but the fiber-rich
extract         extract does help the body regulate blood-sugar levels.
                There is no strong research linking fenugreek to weight
                loss, and side effects are unknown.
Gymnema         Gymnema helps regulate blood sugar. (Diabetics should
sylvestre leaf  talk to their doctors before taking the herb.) There is
                no evidence that it blocks carbohydrate absorption, but
                it may help decrease sugar cravings. Whether that
                results in actual weight loss is not known. Gymnema has
                no significant adverse effects but may cause indigestion
                if taken on an empty stomach.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group