What is the best weight loss medication? | Registered Dietitian Reviews Part 1: Tru & Vy (Truvy) Boost, Wegovy, Phentermine, & Phenofen Plus
What is a Weight Loss Supplement/Medication?
Dietary weight loss supplements are products designed to achive quick weight loss. Weight loss supplements can contain many different ingredients including herbs, fiber, and different minerals in different amounts and in many combinations. Some dietary supplements can be sold in different forms such as capsules, tablets, liquids, injections, and powder products that can have dozens of ingredients. The fact sheets described on certain supplements or weight loss medications include the safety and effectiveness of the ingredients that are commonly use in the weight loss dietary supplements. The sellers of these supplements might claim that their products help you lose weight by blocking the absorption of fat or carbohydrates,suppressing your appetite or speeding up your metabolism. The bottom line weight loss products should be analyzed based on four key factors: potential to increase metabolism, potential to meet weight loss goals, potential to promote appetite suppression, and quality of ingredients backed by clinical studies
Here are 4 reviews of popular weight loss from a nutrtional professional…
Tru & Vy Boost
Mechanism of action: a combination of natural plant derivatives capsules that improve the body’s ability to lose body fat and support your overall health for weight control. Tru claims it supports all systems on the body Vy boost helps you control weight and energy. TruVy Boost is a weight management combo and are taken together 2x a day (4 capsules)
Ingredients: Green coffee bean extract, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Raspberry Ketone, Magnesium & Cinnomon Bark extract
Is a prescription needed? No, this is a weight loss supplement- over the counter
Who should take this? Adults 18 and older who are experiencing unwanted weight gain
Who should not take this? Children under 18 & Pregnant Women
Not FDA Approved
Side Effects: Stomach upsets, insomnia, mood swings, jitters, rapid heartbeats, headaches and increased blood pressure.
How Is this Supplement different from the rest? Boosts energy, All Natural ingredients , Products are cheaper when bought as a combo, all-natural Ingredients backed by research
Disadvantages: Expensive, Possible side effects , Truvy Reviews: Bad Customer Service, Truvy has no clinical trial, little information concerning ingredients and lack of reviews on Truvy website, 4 capsules taken a day
Cost: $111- One Time Purchase
1-30 day supply Vy Boost™ capsules (60ct.)
1-30 day supply Tru™ capsules (60ct.)
Does it work? Due to the lack of research I have personally found, I would not recommend this supplement to anyone, especially with hypertension, chronic diseases or any other medical problems. There has been minimal clinical trials and research that TruVy has completed to suggest that their product improves weight loss or metabolism. Also, many of the supplements of this brand have too many side effects to make the investment worth it. We need to remember, supplements are not a weight loss solution. Calorie deficit, improved mental health, and increasing activity are the only sure-fire ways to get you there!
Wegovy
Mechanism of Action:Is a 2.4 mg self administered injection indicated as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial high body mass index.
What is in it?Active Ingredient: semaglutide. Inactive Ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, and water for injection.
Who should take this? obese or overweight adults (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity) or ≥27 kg/m2 (overweight) who also have chronic weight-related medical problems directed to weight gain; and in Individual’s with a reduced caloric meal and increased physical activity
Who should not take this? Adults who only want to lose a few founds, family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, History of pancreatitis, Adults interactions with other prescriptions, over the counter or herbal weight loss products
FDA Approved!
Side effects:
Severe Side Effects: possible thyroid tumors and cancer.
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, gas, stomach flu and heartburn.
How is Wegovy different from the rest?
First new drug for chronic weight management
Appetite-suppressant
Disadvantages: Limited clinical Research Findings & on website
Is a Prescription needed? Yes
Cost: Pay less than $25 with insurance coverage, Covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, with coupons
Does it work?As a nutritional professional, I would not recommend taking Wegovy unless you are an individual with a BMI over 30 that has found it impossible to lose weight the natural way (reducing your calorie intake while increasing your physical activity). For some individuals, it can be extremely challenging to lose weight naturally; however, this medication does seem to provide a possible weight loss solution. Obesity is a chronic issue that requires long term management and can be associated with other health risks. Wegovy for weight loss is designed to gradually increase dosage overtime to minimize side effects. Remember, talk to your doctor if you are interested in taking Wegovy because it can cause interactions with other prescription medications individuals may be taking as well. Additionally, this is a product where individuals have to be ready to make a lifestyle change to lose weight. If you decide to take this medication, before starting Wegovy (semaglutide), read the instructions carefully on how to administer the medication correctly.
Phenofen Plus 37.5
Phenofen Plus 37.5
Mechanism of action: New dieting formula capsule combining a blend of mood enhancers, appetite suppressants, and metabolism boosters for multiple weight loss benefits from the website which is designed to burn stored fat, boost energy levels, suppress hunger levels and cut calories.
What is in it? 150 mg of caffeine, Proprietary Blend: Phenylethylamine HCL, Theobromine Anhydrous, N-Methyl-Beta-Phenylethylamine HCL, Synephrine HCL, & Yohimbine Bark
Who should take this? Both Women and Men over the age of 18 who would like to lose around 15-25 pounds.
Who should not take this? Children under 18 or pregnant women, Individuals who have heart problems
No Prescription Required
NOT FDA Approved
Side effects: Headache, Nausea, Dizziness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate & lightheadedness.
How is Phenofen Plus 37.5 different from the Rest?
Effective quick weight loss
Helps lose 15 to 25 pounds each month.
Increase energy levels
Removes stress
Disadvantages: Most effective with high intense physical activities, thus meaning you have to burn a lot of calories in order for the product to properly work! Proprietary blend in ingredients label.
Cost: $59.98
Does it work? This product claims to be a magic pill, but it will only work for gym-goers to burn calories off daily. Thus, Phenophen needs to be combined with exercise and a lot of calories to be burned off for weight loss results. This product appears to suggest that it includes the anti-obesity drug phentermine from their website, which in fact, it does not. My opinion as a nutritional professional is that turning to pharmaceutical drugs like Phenofen Plus 37.5 is not the key to successful long-term weight loss. Unless, the individual is morbidly obese or unless prescribed by your doctor, Phenofen or pharmaceutical drugs are not the answer to shedding off unwanted weight. After reviewing Phenofen and its findings, there was no indication that this product was “FDA approved”, the website said it was “Manufactured in Approved Settings of the FDA”. Strategies to improve your health and to help you lose weight is to change your eating habits and lifestyle habits into healthier ones. Additionally, seeking out to a Registered Dietitian to get the necessary dietary advice and dietary caloric recommended intake is key to staying in your normal weight range and achieving an individuals weight loss journey the correct way.
Phentermine
Phentermine
Mechanism of action: Phentermine is a short-term (a few weeks) adjunct in a regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, behavioral modification and caloric restriction in the management of exogenous obesity for patients.
What is in it? Inactive ingredients: crospovidone, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone, propylene glycol, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake, shellac glaze, and titanium dioxide.
Who should take this? Obese individuals who are over a BMI of 30kg/m2 after other weight loss attempts have failed.
Who should not take this? Individuals who take any prescription drugs of weight loss, ADHD medication or MAH inhibitors should not be on this for the effect on their heart, & Pregnant women
Is a Prescription needed? YES
FDA Approved
Side effects: Common Side Effects: agitation, difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face in the lips, eyes and throat. Other side effects can include a feeling of shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling in the ankles or feet or pounding heart beats, dry mouth or diarrhea.
How is this Phentermine different from the rest? Better Results combined with topiramate, Suppresses appetite, Research has shown it to be effective for weight loss, May be Helpful for certain Eating Disorders, Reduction in binge episodes & suppresses Appetite
Disadvantages: not proven to keep the weight off long-term after you have dismissed the drug. High levels of Caffeine. Prescribed from a doctor or specialist to obese individuals who are over a BMI of 30kg/m2 after other weight loss efforts have failed. May build a tolerance to the appetite-suppressing effects of phentermine within a few weeks Avoid taking last dose too late in the day to prevent insomnia.
Cost: Average: $13 with insurance coverage. $227-500 without insurance
Does it work? First, discussing with your doctor about the drug Phentermine is always indicated; however, long term weight loss is never based on a specific drug and this drug cannot be taken everyday for the rest of your life. This drug is indicated to help obese individuals lose the unwanted weight and then for the individual to stop taking the drug when they are satisfied. Thus, this drug sheds the weight off slowly but it is not proven to keep the weight off long term after you have dismissed form the drug. For an individual who would like to lose weight and keep the weight off long term it is up to them to promote a change in a healthy lifestyle eating habits throughout their time of weight loss .
How long do you have to take a supplement for it to work?
For individuals with a strong desire to lose or maintain their weight, diet supplements may seem like a magical solution.However, this is only a short term solution. Whenever you are on a strict weight loss supplement pill and you are starting to see results, you will have to continue to maintain your weight. How can we do this long term? It is often easier to achieve this with a more balanced diet with help from a Registered Dietitian, who can work through your lifestyle eating habits and turn them into better ones to maintain your long term weight goals. Our recommendation for weight loss medication is for temporary use to help you get started while working in a program to help you transition into weight loss through dietary and long-term lifestyle changes. This will help you to save money from buying medication, decrease any negative side effects, and be more sustainable overall.
For Individuals with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2
Phentermine & Wegovy are weight loss supplements also only indicated for individuals who have failed to lose weight with exercise and diet alone. These products are not indicated for individuals who want to shed a few pounds. These are for individuals who are at obesity and individuals over a BMI of 30. Discuss with your doctors about Phentermine and Wegovy weight loss supplement. As for the 2 supplements, Wegivy has been around longer and had more research done on clinical findings of this product. Remember, these are not magic pills and you will not be able to take these all your life. This is not a long term weight loss solution. However, this may be a good start with getting your life back to your normal healthy weight range. As a nutritional professional, if the individual are not obese or overly obese these drug are not necessary for individuals to consume.
Other helpful tips for Long Term Weight loss
There can be other helpful ways to promote long term weight loss which cultivates healthy lifestyle behaviors and healthy eating habits. Promoting healthy lifestyle changes with food including a reduced calorie diet of 500 calories per meal, prioritizing nutrient dense foods like high protein foods, increasing fruits and vegetables intake, increasing your physical activity and providing behavioral strategies such as monitoring food intake, physical activity, and your weight. Plus, making adjustments throughout your time of weight loss is key! For an individual who would like to lose weight and keep the weight off long term it is up to them to promote a change in a healthy lifestyle eating habits throughout their time of weight loss.
In Conclusion…
We need to remember, supplements are not a weight loss solution. We as individuals are the gatekeepers to our own success. As a nutritional professional, I believe improving your eating habits, lowering caloric intake, increasing physical activity and taking a multivitamin daily will keep you healthy while still losing weight, long term. There is no such thing as a magic pill to take off your weight while eating whatever you want. Calorie deficit, improved mental health, and increasing activity are the only sure-fire ways to get you there! Remember, exercise should be a part of a healthy lifestyle to improve heart health. However, exercise shouldn’t be what you should be depending on to lose long term weight loss. Exercise only affects some of the calories being burned rather than eating contributes to all the calories you consume. Remember to always read the nutritional facts label, do your own research on the product, and make sure this is a safe product for you. As a nutritional professional, the best advice I can give you about supplements is to talk to your doctor or specialist if you are experiencing obesity and want to receive this kind of supplemental treatment. Additionally, creating a healthy relationship with food can help your weight loss tremendously.
To start your sustainable weight loss journey today, check out our calorie-tracking tutorial. The first step of weight loss is being aware of how you eat and our calorie-tracking method can get you there!