What to know before you buy weight-loss supplements

Dietary supplements for weight lossMelt away fat. Lose weight naturally. Tempting claims, but do the products deliver?By Mayo Clinic StaffThe promise of fast and easy weight loss is hard to resist. But do weight-loss supplements work? And are they safe?What are dietary supplements?Stores sell dietary supplements as health aids. People take them by mouth. Dietary supplements often have vitamins, minerals, fiber, caffeine, herbs and other plants in them.Some of the most popular supplements claim to improve diet, boost energy, build muscle or burn fat.Dietary supplements are not medicines. They aren't meant to prevent, treat or cure medical conditions.How are dietary supplements regulated?Companies that make supplements must make sure they're safe. They also must make sure that their products are free of harmful substances and that they have correct labels.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't need to approve dietary supplements. But if the FDA learns that a supplement is un...