Lecture Notes: The Truth About Weight Loss Supplements

Introduction

Lancet Global Health Report: 50% of Indians are physically unfit.
WHO Recommendation: 2.5-3 hours of moderate exercise per week is recommended.
India's Ranking: 12th worst country in terms of physical fitness out of 195.
Common Shortcuts for Weight Loss:
- Green tea
- Apple cider vinegar
- Various weight loss supplements

Market Size:
- 2020: $862 billion (Fortune Business Insights)
- 2022: $731 billion (Straits Research)
Crony Capitalism: Profit-driven strategies causing obesity and then selling weight loss products.
Weight Loss and Management Industry:
- Market size in 2021: $224 billion (Facts and Factors)
- Market size in 2022: $260 billion (MarketResearch.biz)
- Categories: Diet (supplements), equipment (fitness/surgical), and services (gyms/programs)

Exaggerated Claims:
- No need for exercise
- Continual junk food consumption
- Quick results
Forms: Syrups, pills, capsules, various shakes, teas, apple cider vinegar
Scientific Language & Claims:
- Increased leptin hormone
- Reduced fat absorption
- Improved metabolism and gut health
Dietary Supplements vs Medical Drugs:
- Less stringent rules for dietary supplements
- Often backed by company's own small-scale non-scientific studies

Leptin Supplements:
- Ineffective due to leptin resistance in obese individuals.
Fat Trappers/Burners:
- Chitosan: Made from shellfish powder, prevents fat absorption but blocks essential nutrients and shows negligible effect on weight loss.
- Caffeine: Increases metabolism moderately but excessive consumption has side effects (e.g., anxiety, insomnia).

Green Tea: Contains caffeine and catechin, minimal impact on weight loss.
Green Coffee: Similar limited effects; benefits better achieved through direct coffee consumption.
Caffeine Intake:
- Can boost exercise performance if taken before workouts
- Recommended cyclic usage to avoid tolerance