At Mochi, we believe in empowering our clients by informing them of their options and helping them in every step of their journey toward their health goals. We are constantly bombarded by weight loss agents in the media that are supposedly “proven effective,” but are they really? Here we introduce some of these agents and break down the common myths about their effectiveness: lipotropic injections, vitamin B12 injections, berberine, and PhenQ.
What is Berberine?
Berberine is a yellow compound found in many plants, including philodendron, Oregon grape, goldenseal, and goldthread. It is the bioactive ingredient of Rhizoma coptidis (also named “Huang Lian” in Chinese), and is a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb. As a supplement, it is taken in the form of oral tablets at varying doses of 500–1,500mg per day. Each bottle costs about $25.
Berberine Effectiveness
In animal models, berberine has been shown to affect fat cell development and absorption of cholesterol, which resulted in decreased lipid levels. Some studies suggest that it might be a potential adjunct treatment for diabetes. However, very little research has shown evidence for its beneficial effects on weight loss. In addition, because of its potentially dangerous risks, it’s not a drug to be taken lightly.
Berberine Risks
- Stomach upset: berberine decreases the diversity of gut microbiota, which makes it more prone to stomach upset and illnesses
- Drug interactions: berberine can interact with common medications such as statins or antibiotics and cause potentially dangerous heart arrhythmias
- Increases in plasma bilirubin levels: berberine increases the amount of bilirubin in the body, which could result in jaundice and worsening of liver and gallbladder illnesses
What Are PhenQ Caffeine Pills?
PhenQ was launched in 2009, making it one of the oldest weight loss products on the market, and has gained growing popularity in recent years. PhenQ pills contain a mixture of ingredients, including capsimax powder, chromium picolinate, caffeine, nopal, and L carnitine. Capsimax powder and caffeine are the two biggest contributors, which are supposed to help increase body temperature, boost metabolism, and curb appetite.
PhenQ Caffeine Pill Effectiveness
Despite the hype, there is very little research done on the effectiveness or safety of the PhenQ pill. The most powerful ingredient in PhenQ is caffeine. Each pill contains 150mg of caffeine, which is about the equivalent of two cups of coffee in one tablet. According to the Mayo Clinic, caffeine may slightly boost metabolism but there is no convincing evidence that it causes weight loss. Each bottle costs about $70.
PhenQ Caffeine Pill Risks
- Common side effects: nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, restlessness, insomnia, fast breathing, fast heart rate
- Caffeine overdose: arrhythmia, shakiness, vomiting, confusion, panic attack
- Drug interaction: according to the CDC, caffeine partly masks the effects of alcohol and may lead to potentially dangerous overconsumption of alcohol
Examples of Common Weight Loss Injection Treatments to Avoid
What Are Lipotropic Injections?
Lipotropic injections, or “lipo shots,” contain a solution of supplements that are delivered into the body through a needle and syringe up to 1–3 times a week. These supplements may include choline, inositol, methionine, vitamin B12, B complex vitamins. Each shot averages $35-$75.
Lipotropic Injection Effectiveness
It is thought that the ingredients of lipo shots contribute to fat metabolism and that their supplementation would lead to weight loss. Some people have reported losing weight on lipo shots in combination with a rigorous exercise regimen, but there is no convincing evidence that the weight loss was actually from the lipo shot and not the intense exercise alone. There are no definitive research studies that justify that the supplementation of these ingredients. In fact, they could cause more harm than benefit.
Risks of Lipo Injections
- Common side effects: allergic reaction, infection, stomach upset
- Kidney damage: the ingredients are mostly eliminated by the kidneys and may cause urinary changes
- Rebound weight gain: by increasing your metabolism, your body is working at a higher level than usual. This increased workload can lead to exhaustion in the periods after the injection and lead to rebound weight gain
- Unexplained pain: some people have reported unexplained pain in various parts of the body following lipotropic injections
What Are Vitamin B12 Injections?
Instead of getting the lipo shot, which contains vitamin B12 along with other supplements, some may opt for only vitamin B12 injections. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a B complex vitamin found naturally in the body and in a variety of foods, including meat, fish, and dairy products. Medically, vitamin B12 injections are generally prescribed to help with certain types of anemia. Each shot averages about $50-$80.
Vitamin B12 Injection Effectiveness
Some propose that vitamin B12 injections help boost energy level and metabolism. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, this effect does not occur in the absence of an actual vitamin B12 deficit. Additionally, there is no solid evidence that vitamin B12 injections are effective in weight loss, and the potentially serious risks may outweigh the benefits.
Vitamin B12 Injection Risks
- Common side effects: allergic reaction, heart problems, fluid build up in the lungs, electrolyte disturbances, diarrhea, swelling
- Drug interaction: according to the NIH, vitamin B12 may interfere with the effectiveness of some medications, including proton pump inhibitors (prilosec, prevacid, etc), histamin antagonists (tagamet, zantac), etc.
- Increased risk of cancer: in a study of 757,185 people, increased vitamin B12 levels in the body has been found to be associated with almost five fold increased risk of cancer
