Can supplements cause weight gain?

Are you hesitant about taking supplements because of the possibility of weight gain? Fear not, dear reader! In this article, we’ll explore the question on everyone’s mind – can supplements cause weight gain and if so, which ones?

The Skinny on Supplements

Supplements are a great way to supplement your diet with necessary vitamins and minerals. But before we dive into whether or not they can cause weight gain, let’s talk about what exactly supplements are.

Supplements, in short, provide additional nutrients that may be lacking in our diets due to various factors like lifestyle choices or dietary restrictions. They come in many forms such as capsules, tablets, powders and even gummies!

Types of Supplements

There are many types of supplements available in the market nowadays. Here are some common ones:

  1. Vitamins: Vitamins play an essential role in maintaining good health by preventing chronic diseases and promoting normal cell growth.
  2. Minerals: Minerals also help maintain overall health by keeping bones strong and helping muscles function correctly.
  3. Protein Powder: A popular product for bodybuilders who need extra protein when building muscle mass.
  4. Fish Oil Supplements: Helps regulate cholesterol levels for those with high blood pressure
  5. Pre-Workout Formulas: These formulas give you more energy during your workout.

Do Some Supplements Increase Your Appetite?

Now that we know what supplements are let’s answer the question; do some make us put on weight? There isn’t a clear-cut “yes” or “no” answer here since each supplement has unique properties.

However…

Some “fat burners,” including bitter orange extract (synephrine) products marketed through multi-level marketing schemes such as Herbalife would contain calories capable of causing fat accumulation 1. On top of that caffeine found within these drinks stimulates appetite leading to a measured increase in calorie intake 2. Additionally, creatine – which improves workout performance and muscle growth – can lead to weight gain through water retention since it’s an osmotic regulatory molecule that helps preserve intracellular potassium balance 3.

What Does the Research Say?

Here are some studies where supplements were researched regarding their potential to cause weight gain:

  1. CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid): The scientific research on this supplement is mixed, showing both positive and negative results with regards to weight loss/gain. It wasn’t determined conclusively if consuming CLA regularly would boost or reduce body fat percentage[ ^4].
  2. Vitamin D: As per a study published in Nutrition Journal, vitamin D deficiency links up with central obesity; an increased waist circumference indicates central obesity 5.
  3. Fiber Supplements: A review carried out concluded that taking fiber supplements before meals reduced hunger and appetite while enhancing satiety compared to placebo effectively reducing total calorie intake throughout the day for obese individuals [^6].

Bottom Line

Every medicament has its impact side depending on your individual needs so inform yourself cautiously by contacting medical specialists like doctors or dietitians always researching any added substances you consume.

Before deciding whether or not to take supplements consider talking about weighing what adverse effects they may have versus the benefits they’d yield after analyzing ingredients carefully alongside dosage forms recommended usage directions indications contraindications warnings along with active human clinical trial evidence-based ranges.

In conclusion: Yes! Some supplements might make us put on weight but others can help us lose it , improve overall health as long as they don’t interfere negatively within our bodies, creating unforeseen problems later down the line nobody wants that. Remember; everything is better done in moderation especially when concerning nutrition!


  1. Holtcamp W., Health Risks of Energy Drinks – Science & Society, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5566660/], 2017. 

  2. Owens J.A., Mindell J.A., Pediatric Sleep – Science & Practice -3rd edition: Caffeine Consumption and Children’s Sleep | American Academy of Pediatrics [https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2021/02/25/peds.2020-0578] Tread lightly on that caffeine! 

  3. Creatine Monohydrate: Updates in Pharmacology Research (pp.55-70) by Mohsen Kazemi Baghni and Bahram Soltani from the book ‘Advances in Medicine and Biology’ published by Nova Scientific Publishers Inc. Copyright ©2009 

  4. Whigham L.D; Watras A.C; Schoeller D.A.; “Efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid for reducing fat mass: A meta-analysis in humans”, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol33 no 11, pp 2445695. 

  5. Snijder MB et al., Associations pf Vitamin D Status with Overweightiveness Obesity inflammation and Such Inflammation Sensitive Conditions as Type 2 Diabetes And Coronary Heart Disease NHANES III data section epidemiological follow-up study ;Nutr.j https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
    /^6/: Slavin J.L Fibre And Prebiotics Mechanisms and Health httpV/www.nature.com/nutd/SUPPINFO/NUTD200911SUPL/pdf/nutd200942s1.pdf 

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