UTILIZACIóN DE SUPLEMENTOS NUTRICIONALES PARA EL MANEJO DEL SOBREPESO Y OBESIDAD: UNA REVISIóN DE LA EVIDENCIA

simultaneously to the rapid increase of overweight and obesity a great number of products oriented to weight loss have emerged in the market. the aim of this study was to evaluate the scientific evidence supporting the use of three products designed for weight loss available in chile: a lipidic emulsion that stimulates ileal brake, a protease inhibitor and an amylase inhibitor. the results indicate that the amylase and protease inhibitors efficiently inhibit the respective enzymatic activities in vitro; however, they do not affect weight control in clinical trials carried out in normal weight as well as in obese subjects. thus, there is not enough evidence supporting the use of these products for weight control. on the other hand, the results concerning the lipidic emulsion are conflicting and more studies are needed to confirm its possible effect on weight control.