None of us can honestly say that we’ve been lucky enough to avoid being exposed to weight loss claims from products that are exaggerating or even flat-out lying about what they can actually do.  Though there are efforts underway to clean up the promises being made in this industry, the fact is that it has become commonplace to hear statements suggesting that a tea, herb, gel cap or exercise tool will be that one magical solution we’ve been waiting for. It’s important to know how to protect yourself.

It’s Important to Avoid Dubious Weight Loss Claims

When weight loss claims are convincing, it’s easy to want to give in and believe them.  Dropping unwanted pounds is hard.  Very few of us find that they can simply slide off and remain gone forever without considerable efforts toward lifestyle changes.

The fact of the matter is that no matter how often you hear claims of a product being able to “melt away fat” or “make fat miraculously disappear”, they’re no truer now than they were the first time you heard them – and they were not true then, either.

Don’t Assume Celebrities Are on Your Side

Celebrities and influencers love to share thoughts about a spectrum of products they use.  Yes, it could be true that they are occasionally talking about items they like, that they purchased with their own money, and that they are not being paid or otherwise compensated to talk about.  However, paid endorsements mean that a celebrity or influencer is receiving compensation to either recite/share a script or create their own version of certain points that must be covered.

Because of the compensation they are receiving, it’s impossible for you to know whether the statements they are making would be what they would say if they hadn’t been paid.  Moreover, even assuming that all celebs were honest (what a world that would be!), just because something worked for someone else, it doesn’t automatically mean that the same results will occur for you. It’s easy to accidentally attribute benefits to a pill when it turns out that it was the result of other changes to your lifestyle that coincidentally started working at the same time you started paying attention because you were taking a pill. All that to say nothing of the placebo effect.

Can You Ever Trust Weight Loss Claims?

Yes!  Absolutely you can.  The key is to know what type of benefits you can realistically expect from the best energy and weight loss pills.  That way, you can take your first steps to deciding whether a given product can provide you with those advantages. Look for the following to help you know that the weight loss claims about a product can be trusted and don’t forget to speak with your doctor.

• Every ingredient has been clinically studied
• The manufacturer of the product cites/provides links to the studies, which have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals
• The company behind the brand is established and well reputed, with a physical mailing address, a phone number, and other means by which to reach them for customer service
• The product has solid customer reviews overall
• No claims are made about how much weight you’ll lose or that you’ll drop pounds without making any lifestyle changes. The product shouldn’t pretend that it’s doing the work for you.