Speaker
Description
Background
Obesity and overweight refer to abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the body that presents a risk to health. Growing concerns about the negative impact of obesity have driven many people to pursue weight loss. Herbal supplements that promise rapid weight loss have become very popular in Ghana. In the absence of scientific proof of efficacy and safety however, the acceptance of these supplements leaves much to be desired. This research reviewed the anti-obesity and safety profiles of active ingredients of herbal weight-loss products through a market survey and literature review.
Method
A cross-sectional market survey was conducted within pharmacies, chemical shops, herbal stores, and informal vendors in Kumasi. Information on plant ingredients of products with labels indicating herbal composition and weight-related claims were documented. Literature review explored selection of scholarly articles from Google Scholar, PubMed, etc. specifically focusing on previous scientific reports on the weight loss and anti-obesity activity of the listed medicinal plant ingredients on the sampled products using specific search terms including the “plant’s name + phrases” such as antiobesity, appetite suppressant, weightloss, anti-cholesterol, toxicity, etc.
Results
35 herbal weight-loss products with a total of 64 plant species were identified. Camellia sinensis (green tea) > Senna spp. (senna) > Garcinia cambogia (brindle berry) > Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) > Capsicum annum (pepper) = Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) > Citrus spp. (lemon, lime) = Zingiber officinale (ginger) were mostly cited. Literature review supported anti-obesity activity for species such as Camellia sinensis (thermogenesis, fat oxidation), Garcinia cambogia (appetite suppression via hydroxycitric acid), and Capsicum annuum (increased energy expenditure). Reported safety concerns included hepatotoxicity associated with overdosage of Camellia sinensis extracts and electrolyte imbalance with prolonged Senna use.
Conclusion
Herbal supplements indicated for weight-loss are common in Kumasi. Scientific proof of efficacy exists for some plants in the products; however toxic profiles may present safety limitations for some herbal weight-loss products.