Lipovarin: Another 'miracle' weight-loss drug?

I really want to lose some weight, and I'm thinking about trying a diet pill called Lipovarin. I've read many positive things about it on the Internet. Can you tell me if it really works?

- Barb / Minnesota

Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

There is no evidence that Lipovarin — a popular, nonprescription diet pill — can help you lose weight. In addition, this product may be harmful to your health.

Lipovarin contains the ingredient synephrine. Synephrine is a stimulant similar to ephedrine, which is found in the herb ephedra. In 2004, all ephedra products were removed from the U.S. market due to safety concerns. Ephedra is linked to stroke, heart attack, seizure and other serious side effects.

Many manufacturers now substitute synephrine in products that used to contain ephedra. Although these synephrine-containing products are marketed as "ephedra-free," they likely have the same serious health risks as ephedra-containing products.

Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to permanent weight loss. The safest way to lose weight is to decrease calorie intake and increase physical activity.