When it comes to fat loss Dr Mehmet Oz seems to create quite a stir when he features products on his show. In 2014 he introduced a product that he claimed can triple your fat loss1.
This product is Meratrim. It is a combination of two herbs which may boost weight loss.
Wondering what it is and how it works?
Let’s look closer and see if there is any science behind the claims.
What Is Meratrim?
The product is made by Interhealth Nutraceuticals. They have been trading since 1987. They make a many proprietary ingredients for dietary supplements.
They carry out clinical studies for many of their products.
They were acquired by Lonza in 2016. This is a multi billion dollar company. They have 100 offices and sites worldwide.
Meratrim is a supplement that is designed to help reduce weight.
It also claims to reduce hip and waist size. This is in combination with diet and exercise.
Meratrim Ingredients
This branded blend contains two active ingredients:
Sphaeranthus Indicus
It is also called East Globe Indian Thistle. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a number of ailments.
Garcinia Mangostana
It is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its fruit is called Mangosteen2. It has long been used in traditional medicines in that area. It has been shown to exhibit anti-obesity activity. This includes reduced food intake and body fat gain. It does this by regulating serotonin levels which makes you feel fuller.
How Does Meratrim Work?
Meratrim is a proprietary ingredient. You will find it in many weight loss supplements combined with other ingredients. It can also be bought as a supplement with nothing added.
A trial was carried out by the company in 2013 on this ingredient. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. This is a high standard of scientific experiments in humans.
The study was on 100 obese people split into two groups. The group comprised 23 men and 77 women.
One group took 400mg of Meratrim, 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. A total of 800 mg per day. The other group took 400mg of a dummy pill or placebo at the same times.
All participants consumed a 2000 calorie diet and had to walk 30 minutes per day.
After 8 weeks, the supplement group had lost more weight than the placebo group.
- They lost a total of 11 pounds or 5.2 kg. The placebo group lost 3.3 pounds or 1.5 kg.
- The supplement group lost 4.7 inches or 11.9 cm off of their waistlines. The placebo group lost 2.4 inches or 6 cm.
- The supplement group also had more improvements in BMI and hip circumference.
- The supplement group had better results in self esteem and physical function.
- There were also improvements in cholesterol levels in the supplement group.
There was also a second study on the product with similar results.
The study suggests that this product may be a well-tolerated and effective ingredient for weight management.
This study was sponsored by the company. Whilst this does not detract from the results it is worth mentioning.
Meratrim Side Effects
There were no reported side effects during the trial.
As with any supplement, if you are unsure, check with your doctor.
How To Use it?
On official website you can read:
With our patented, convenient, low-dosage formula, those who are looking to control or lose weight are suggested to take Meratrim with a full glass of water 30-minutes before they eat, twice per day.
Meratrim Reviews & Complaints
There are several companies selling this product. Three examples available on Amazon are:
- Re-Body has 335 reviews and a 2.3* rating.
- Logic Nutra has 180 reviews and a 3.3* rating.
- Emerald has 19 reviews and a 3.3* rating.
Let’s see what customers are saying.
Some people have experienced weight loss. They have also found that they have lost inches.
Jackie writes:
I find Re-Body Meratrim a very good product. It controls my appetite so therefore I have lost 10lbs. In one month. My belly fat has reduced so now I can fit into my clothes that I hadn’t wore for a while. I highly recommend this product.
People accept that they need to combine this supplement with diet and exercise.
Kate reports:
I’ve been taking this pill for about a month, and have lost 9 lbs. Granted, I began a diet and an exercise program at the same time, so I can’t be certain of how much of that loss can be directly attributed to the pill. I really believe, though, that the combination of all three have been really effective. I just started my second bottle and, at this rate, by the time I’ve finished, I will have reached my goal, losing 18 lbs in two months (fingers crossed).
She even gives us an update on her progress:
Update: Well, Thanksgiving set me a back a pound or two (ok, two). But I’m otherwise happy to say, that after another month, I’ve lost a total of 16 pounds, only two away from my goal weight. Again, I didn’t rely completely on the pill, but rather used it in combination with increased exercise and a healthier diet, but I’m really happy with the results. It feels great having my old body again, and I know this supplement played a part.
Not all customers are so happy.
Anita writes:
Did not help in weight loss even when exercising too! Just another one of Dr. Oz’s bad endorsements.
Some people report short term effectiveness. Some report gaining weight
Rob writes:
First couple days I noticed a reduced appetite, but soon I found the pills not working and I actually had a larger appetite than before.
Meratrim: Packages, Prices & Where To Buy It
See below how the official site looks like.
Return/Refund Policy
Check with the supplier from whom you purchase the product for their refund and return policies.
Meratrim Pros & Cons
Meratrim Review: Final Verdict
This product is one of few that I have encountered that has clinical trials. The study was funded by the company that makes the product.
The science seems to indicate that this product may help short term weight loss. It may help you get over a stubborn plateau. But it does not work on its own. You need to follow a diet and exercise regime.
The product is available from many companies. It can be found as a stand alone ingredient or combined with other natural remedies.
Celebrity endorsement does not necessarily mean a product will work. In this case it seems to work for some but not for others.
We laid out the facts, will you buy Meratrim? Comment below and tell us what you think!
Recommended Fat Burners
Read next: Active PK Review: Does It Really Work?
References
- Jeukendrup, A. E., and R. Randell. “Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism.” Obesity reviews 12.10 (2011): 841-851. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00908.x
- Obolskiy, Dmitriy, et al. “Garcinia mangostana L.: a phytochemical and pharmacological review.” Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives 23.8 (2009): 1047-1065. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2730