30
Supplements and Functional Foods
Side Effects of Supplements with Insufficient Human
Data to Confirm Consistent, Clinically Meaningful,
Long-term Weight Loss (cont'd)
Intervention Side Effects Description
Beta-
glucans
Flatulence Soluble fiber
polysaccharides found in
wheat, oats, and barley.
Caffeine
added
to other
extracts
Caffeine side effects
include anxiety, tremors,
cardiac dysrhythmias.
Prior formulations
included ephedra,
resulting in hepatotoxicity,
seizures, and adverse
cardiovascular side effects.
Carnitine Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
abdominal cramps, and
fishy body odor. May
increase trimethylamine
N-oxide (TMAO) levels,
which may increase the
risk for cardiovascular
disease.
Carnitine is a quaternary
ammonium compound
that transports long-
chain fatty acids into
mitochondria for oxidation
and energy production.
CLA Abdominal discomfort,
constipation, diarrhea,
dyspepsia, and possible
adverse effects on lipid
and glucose metabolism.
Fatty acids found in meat
and dairy that may be
either cis-fats or trans-fats.
Fucoxanthin Insufficient data to report
side effects.
Marine xanthophyll
carotenoid found in
seaweed and algae
with limited vitamin
functionality.
Guar gum Abdominal pain,
flatulence, diarrhea,
nausea.
Galactomannan
polysaccharide f rom guar
beans.
Pyruvate Diarrhea, gas, bloating,
and possibly decreased
high-density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol levels.
Alpha keto acid product
of glycolysis. Can help
generate amino acids,
convert back to glucose, or
help generate fatty acids.
Spinach
extract
May worsen
hyperglycemia.
Thylakoid derived f rom
spinach.
Yohimbine Headache, anxiety,
agitation, hypertension,
tachycardia, adverse
cardiovascular events.
Alkaloid found in Af rican
yohimbe tree bark, which
contains catecholamines.
