How safe are weight loss supplements?
Chitosan appears to be very safe for use in dogs and cats. Adverse effects in some humans receiving chitosan include mild nausea and constipation that resolves when the supplement is discontinued. Certainly chitosan should be avoided in all animals known to be allergic to shellfish. The small effect of chitosan on excretion of fat in the feces makes it extremely unlikely that it will contribute to malnutrition from loss of the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E). Linoleic acid also appears to be safe for use in animals, with a reversible increase in fat metabolite deposition in the liver occurring only at very high doses. Certain isomers (trans-10, cis-12) of conjugated linoleic acid in CLA supplements may actually promote insulin resistance and the risk of diabetes, although the reasons for this are not yet clear. Fortunately, these isomers are present in much lower levels in CLA compared to the isomers with favorable effects. Pyruvate and HCA appear to be non-toxic when used according to
