No, reducing calories is by far the best single method for losing weight but exercise and diet is the best method of maintaining the loss. Effective weight loss supplements (and there aren’t many) fit into a weight loss plan when 1) the goals are aggressive because of a deadline, 2) the person has very low body fat, and 3) the user has had multiple attempts at weight loss using traditional methods.
Background on supplements and weight loss
The goal of incorporating a dietary supplement (or prescription drug) into a weight loss program is to assist the user in complying with the daily routine that leads to weight reduction. And, as with all human studies on meal replacements, the supplement ingredients must have safely demonstrated the potential to act in one or more of the following ways:
• Help create and maintain a calorie deficit by increasing daily calorie expenditure when compared to a non-supplemented state
• Raise energy levels that may make one more active throughout the day
• Reduce the drive to consume food
• Decrease calorie absorption
Meal replacements and weight loss
In all studies, meal replacements (MRs) bars and shakes used for 1 or 2 meals a day were shown to be an extremely effective aid to weight reduction and, in almost all cases, more effective than conventional methods of dietary restrictions. Additionally MRs have been shown to be just as effective as dietary restriction combined with drug therapy. Most importantly, continuous use of MRs may be the most effective means of all treatments when it comes to maintaining weight loss.