Does Sensa really work?

I have seen tons of informercials and commercials touting the weight loss properties of Sensa, a weight loss supplement, that claims to help people lose on average around 30lbs (or 15% of their body mass) in 6 months.  That is a pretty intense claim, and I must say, I am going into this a non-believer, but I cannot deny science, and there are some pretty big claims!

What is it?
Sensa is a "natural" weight loss supplement that is made in a lab (please feel the sarcasm about it being natural....I meant to lay it on thick!) that is supposedly odorless, but not tasteless.  Some of them are salty and some are sweet and they are all different colors. The makers claim that you shake it on your food (every meal) and it stimulates the hormones in your body that signal to your brain that you are satiated and no longer need to eat.

How Does it work?
This is where the "science" behind it all gets a little confusing.  These odorless crystals made of a corn product (maltodextrin), silica (which is NOT good for you), and some fillers, somehow stimulate the hormones in your body that signal satiety.  The claim is that it makes you eat less because you feel fuller sooner, while eating the same foods and getting the same amount of exercise.  If it does allow you to feel full faster, you will lose weight because you are taking in less calories, so you should see some immediate effects

What is the long term deal?
So, its great that you will lose weight by eating less, but over time your body will adapt to that, and you will need to go the old fashioned route and start eating healthier and exercise...or else you will start to gain weight.  Your body is very smart, and works like a well oiled machine (when treated as one), and the less calories you take in, your body will adapt and be less efficient, by slowing your metabolism so that it is almost in starvation mode- you need a certain number of calories to function, and when we stop hitting those numbers, your body starts holding on to calories in the form of fat to use when it is truly starving.

Are there any studies?
The people who created this diet supplement, performed a study looking at around 1400 people and got results of an average weight loss of 30.5 lbs in 6 months while those in the control group only lost 2lbs.  The only independent study performed was performed over the same amount of time, and people were told not to change their diets; it was found that the Sensa users lost 27.5 lbs and the control group people gained 0.5lbs.  What we don't know is if this "independent" lab was funded, how many people were involved, any other factors that may have effected the outcomes.

The Verdict?
It seems a little odd to me, and I don't think that this will solve your weight loss woes; it will just be, yet ANOTHER, yo-yo diet supplement.  You will take it, lose weight, and then either take it forever OR stop and you will probably gain weight again because you are not making any healthy lifestyle changes.

If you want to take this, I would talk to your HCP first because there are no side effects listed, but you should be under the guidance of medical care because this product is not FDA approved.  I would also suggest making some healthy lifestyle changes as far as diet and exercise are concerned because it is the healthiest choice for you in the long run and will only benefit you!

Yours in Good Health
B