Many diets are initially effective for achieving weight loss; however the weight is often regained once the diet is over because the weight loss usually consisted primarily of water and lean muscle tissue. The result of the typical diet is that the percentage of the body’s tissues made up of fat increases and the percentage made of up lean tissue decreases.

This typical diet can then lead to a "yo-yo" pattern of weight loss and weight gain. Research shows that yo-yo dieting can be bad for your health, because as weight is lost so often is lean muscle tissue and bone density. The risk of osteoporosis is increased.

There are a growing number of doctors and researchers who advocate that the addition of nutritional supplements to the diet and a modification in the foods eaten (rather than a large reduction in calories consumed) will assist in decreasing fatty tissue and increasing the ratio of lean muscle.

The main idea behind this is that certain nutrients and dietary supplements can improve the body’s efficiency in metabolizing fats in the diet and also increase caloric expenditure.

Continuing research is uncovering the role certain vitamins, herbs and other nutrients play in weight control and weight management.

A few of the dietary supplements that have demonstrated in some research that they may play a role in assisting in weight loss weight control at a biochemical level.