Snack Defense is a new weight-loss supplement intended to be used as part of a weight-loss program designed by Herbalife. This is the same program that includes the supplement Total Control, which evidently is not effective enough on its own. While Total Control claims to increase metabolism, burn fat, and decrease appetite, Snack Defense claims to control cravings and the desire to eat “sweets” between meals (apparently when Total Control stops working). Maybe Total Control’s name should be changed to “Sometime Control.”

So what is it that Snack Defense has that “Total” Control is lacking? The answer is the 3 main ingredients: Gymnema Sylvestre, Garcinia Cambogia, and Chromium Picolinate.

Gymnema Sylvestre

Claim: Will decrease cravings, especially those for “sweets.”
Fact: Gymnema Sylvestre has indeed been shown to decrease the ability to taste sweet. This has been achieved when the herb is placed directly in the mouth. From this, it has been hypothesized that Gymnema Sylvestre blocks sugar receptors on the tongue, which in turn leads to decreased sweet cravings. This is quite a stretch from what Gymnema actually does. In fact, this hypothesis has yet to be supported by scientific studies. In addition, the effect of the decreased sugar taste only lasts for about 15 minutes.

Claim: Will decrease the amount of sugar absorbed.
Fact: This is also a stretch. Gymnema Sylvestre has been shown to decrease blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. This was not because less sugar was absorbed into the blood, but rather because more insulin was secreted to take sugar out of the blood. Insulin is responsible for taking sugar from the blood to cells to either be used as energy or stored as fat. Gymnema had no effect on people without diabetes.

Garcinia Cambogia

Claim: Will decrease appetite
Fact: Studies have shown that taking Garcinia Cambogia has resulted in increased levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is secreted after a meal signaling fullness. Therefore, it is believed that increased levels of serotonin will result in decreased appetite and consequential weight loss. Again, studies have not supported this theory. Subjects who were given Garcinia Cambogia had no greater weight loss than those given a placebo.

Chromium Picolinate

Claim: Will enhance weight loss by regulating the metabolism of fats and sugar.
Fact: Despite the lack of concrete evidence to support its effectiveness, Chromium Picolinate is one of the most popular weight-control supplements sold in the US. Study after study has shown that Chromium Picolinate does not enhance weight loss when compared with a placebo. In fact, one study showed that subjects who added this supplement to their exercise program actually gained weight when compared with subjects who only exercised. However, diet was not controlled in this study, so I would not be quick to conclude that Chromium Picolinate causes weight gain. Nevertheless, there is enough evidence to conclude that Chromium Picolinate does not promote weight loss.

In addition to this conclusion, it should be noted that there have been cases of kidney failure, altered neurological status, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people taking Chromium Picolinate.

Although the ingredients in Snack Defense have proved to be effective in some aspects, the theory that they will aid in weight loss by decreasing cravings is not supported. Seems that Snack Defense is just another pill to add to the Herbalife programs already providing an array of pills and shakes. Perhaps the goal is to fill the consumer up with so many pills that they will be too full to eat. A sure way to lose weight, not to mention, develop malnutrition!

Sources

http://www.edietstar.com/appetitecontrol/snackdefense.html
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/136/7/1982S
http://www.gymnema.net/
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/chromiumsideeff.htm