Capsules and Supplements: What Is Really in Them?

Let’s be honest: you dread the arrival of autumn… In summer, you exercise, drink plenty of water and eat light, so staying in shape feels effortless. But when the temperature drops, you tend to hunker down at home, and those little love handles start creeping back. So you’re thinking about starting a course of slimming capsules. But do they really live up to their promises? Here you’ll find out what these supplements are, their main types and the plants they contain, what you can reasonably expect from them, how to choose them wisely and which habits to pair with your course.

What is a slimming capsule?

A slimming capsule is not a medication but a food supplement available without a prescription. This type of product is easy to find in pharmacies, parapharmacies, the health food aisles of supermarkets, organic shops or specialist nutrition stores. They can also be purchased online. As the name suggests, a slimming capsule is marketed as a way to help you stay in shape. The term covers a wide range of supplements sold under all sorts of labels: ‘fat-burning’, ‘appetite suppressant’, ‘flat tummy’, anti-water retention, digestive comfort… Plenty of enticing promises, which are worth looking at closely. Let’s take a closer look at what slimming capsules are actually made of, before questioning their effectiveness.

What are the different types of slimming capsules?

A word of caution first: although slimming capsules available in France are covered by food supplement regulations, the internet is full of pills whose composition can be questionable. For this reason, capsules made from natural ingredients are the better choice.

1- So-called ‘fat-burning’ capsules

These are said to work on two levels: boosting thermogenesis and limiting fat absorption. They generally rely on plants with a high caffeine content (coffee, tea, yerba maté, guarana, kola nut), which is thought to play a role in lipolysis, the breakdown of fat stored in adipocytes. Raspberry ketones and ginseng are also commonly used so-called ‘fat-burning‘ ingredients in slimming capsules, as are certain algae like ascophyllum and wakame, apple pectin or rosemary. However, these effects have not been demonstrated for the capsules sold in shops. Our capsules belong to this family of supplements.

2- So-called ‘appetite suppressant’ capsules

These capsules generally use plants with a very specific property: they swell on contact with water, forming a bulky gel. These are known as mucilages. Konjac, psyllium, bladderwrack, nopal, agar-agar: these plants and algae are commonly found in slimming capsules. They are said to influence feelings of hunger, but this effect has not been demonstrated for these products.

3- Capsules marketed as ‘anti-water retention’

This type of capsule draws on plants credited with diuretic and/or venotonic properties, although these effects have not been demonstrated for such products. These capsules therefore mainly contain plants such as orthosiphon, meadowsweet, ash leaf, mouse-ear hawkweed, horsetail, butcher’s broom, horse chestnut, red vine, cherry stem and green tea. The list is far from exhaustive. If your legs often feel swollen, talk to your GP rather than choosing a supplement on your own.

4- So-called ‘digestive comfort’ or ‘flat tummy’ capsules

Some capsules are presented as a way to support digestion. They are mainly aimed at people who experience sluggish digestion, bloating or a swollen stomach. This type of capsule often contains so-called depurative plants such as artichoke, black radish or dandelion, as well as prune, flaxseed, senna, rhubarb, activated charcoal, cinnamon, fennel or ginger. Ongoing digestive problems call for medical advice rather than a course of supplements.

5- So-called ‘anti-cellulite’ capsules

This type of capsule often combines plants presented as diuretics with active ingredients linked to lipolysis, although these effects have not been shown for these products. Our Cellulite Capsules, for example, contain guarana, red vine and cherry stem.

What can you expect from slimming capsules?

We now have a few answers to that question:

• First and foremost, before choosing slimming capsules, it is essential to pay close attention to the ingredients list. The capsules’ natural active content should be as high as possible. If your capsules contain questionable chemical additives or an abundance of texture agents, there is little chance they will satisfy you.
• Phytotherapy, that is, the use of plants, is a traditional approach. Slimming capsules made from plant-based ingredients can therefore fit into an overall approach, alongside good daily habits.
• The range of slimming capsules continues to grow, and research on plants is advancing and becoming more refined. To date, however, the specific effect of these capsules on your figure has not been demonstrated: none of them replaces a balanced diet and physical activity.
• If you take a course, combine it with a number of basic lifestyle habits: a balanced daily routine, regular physical activity, and a varied, nutritious diet.

How do you tell good slimming capsules from bad ones?

Choosing a food supplement is not something to take lightly! Keep a few simple rules in mind to make the right choice:

• The ingredients list should always be your first selection criterion. Be wary of components with obscure names, avoid additives (flavourings, preservatives, texture agents) and prioritise natural formulas above all. You should also look into the plants in the capsules and what is really known about them, rather than relying solely on the claims on the packaging.
• Origin is also a useful indicator. If your capsules are manufactured in a country with strict health and safety standards, you’re more likely to be getting a quality product.
• A patented complex only means that its formula is protected: on its own, that tells you nothing about what you can expect from it.
• User reviews can also be a helpful guide. If slimming capsules have good feedback and consumer testimonials are positive (satisfaction, good tolerance…), that’s generally a good sign. Still, read them with a critical eye: everyone reacts differently, and detailed reviews (habits followed alongside, tolerance) tell you more than comments with no explanation.

Herbal slimming capsules: what precautions should you take?

Even when they are made from plants, these capsules are still food supplements, and they aren’t suitable for everyone. Follow the directions on the packaging and avoid taking several supplements at once without advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking any medication or have a medical condition, ask your GP or pharmacist before starting. If you have any doubts during your course, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Cellublue capsules: what’s inside?

Cellublue has developed natural, vegan capsules that contain:

• Dandelion: a plant traditionally used in herbal medicine and often mentioned in connection with water retention, although this effect has not been demonstrated.
• Pineapple stem: contains bromelain, an enzyme.
• Artichoke: contains cynarin, and its leaves contain potassium salts.
• Garcinia Cambogia: a tropical fruit.
• Burdock: it is the root that is used.
• Fennel: an aromatic plant, known in cooking as well as in herbal teas.
• Ascophyllum: a brown seaweed.

These capsules are part of an overall approach: remember to combine them with the lifestyle habits set out below.

Which habits should you pair with a course of slimming capsules?

During your course, you can:

• Complement your capsules with our herbal tea, an infusion made from five plants (lemon, couch grass, meadowsweet, hibiscus and peppermint), to enjoy in the evening. Discover our flat tummy tips too.
• Maintain a balanced and varied diet.
• Stay well hydrated throughout the day, alternating water with a cup of tea.
• Build a fitness routine around a sport or activity you genuinely enjoy.
• Make the most of every opportunity to move: a walk with your partner, a quick stretch at the office, playtime with the kids…
• Take care of your lifestyle: quality sleep, avoiding stressful situations, and making time for fun (we so often underestimate the power of laughter!)
• Add slimming treatments to your routine: take a look at our program!

References

Place des compléments alimentaires à base de plantes dans le régime amaigrissant, Actualités Pharmaceutiques, Volume 53, Issue 536, 2014, Angélique Geneslay, Séverine Derbré https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpha.2014.02.030

Related articles

• Natural foods: 10 examples, from apples to almonds
• How to lose weight without dieting?
• Essential oils for the body: uses and precautions
• Challenge 2016: Day 5

Useful categories: Slimming Solutions, Weight Management.