The Best Weight Loss Pill According to Nutrition Experts

When it comes to losing weight, a healthy diet and exercise plan is the holy grail. But sometimes the scale doesn’t move as quickly as you’d like. If so, you may be wondering if there’s a weight loss pill you can try that works.

We consulted with registered dietitians with weight loss expertise to review the best weight loss pill on the market. Keep reading to learn about Plenity, a capsule cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is taking the weight loss world by storm.

Our methodology for selecting the best weight loss pill evaluated whether the pill:

• Is FDA-approved or cleared
• Has a good safety profile
• Has minimal side effects
• Backed by research
• Has company-website transparency
• Has verified customer reviews

Plenity is an FDA-cleared, prescription-only weight loss capsule that takes up space in the stomach to help you feel full with less food. There are two ways you can get prescribed Plenity: via an online consultation with one of Plenity’s doctors or by asking your primary care doctor.

Plenity contains two main ingredients derived from fruits and vegetables: cellulose and citric acid. These two ingredients form a matrix that releases thousands of gel particles as it passes through your body.

These particles mix with water in the stomach, creating a hydrogel that expands and makes you feel full.

According to Plenity’s manufacturer, Gelesis100, this stomach expansion helps make it easier to eat less and lose weight.

Pros of Plenity

• Effectiveness backed by a quality study
• Good safety profile
• Stimulant-free
• Less stringent criteria to qualify
• No foods are off limits

Cons of Plenity

• Not always covered by insurance
• More long-term research is needed
• May cause bloating in some people
• Not suitable for those with heartburn or ulcers

“It can be great for people who don’t ordinarily feel fullness when eating. It can help people identify hunger and full cues, which some people cannot identify with,” says Amy Beney, RDN, CDCES, of My Nutrition Insights, who based in Lockport, New York.

What Is Plenity?

Plenity is an FDA-cleared oral capsule and prescription weight loss aid designed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 40 kg/m2, to use in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program. “FDA clearance means the manufacturer of the pill demonstrated their product is equivalent to a similar legally marketed product that has been FDA-cleared or approved,” says Amber Trejo, RDN, a New York City-based National Academy of Sports Medicine–certified personal trainer, of Naked Wellness.

Clearance is different from FDA approval, where the product’s benefits are demonstrated to outweigh the risks.

Plenity is one of the best weight loss pills currently out there due to its strong safety profile and effectiveness seen in the research. While a few other weight loss pills are FDA approved, such as phentermine, they come with more serious side effects and have thus far only demonstrated short-term benefits.

“One thing I like about Plenity is that it is derived from plant-based fiber sources. Fiber naturally adds volume, making your hunger hormones signal that you’re full, reducing your intake naturally. Fiber in general has also been studied to help with weight loss,” says Christa Brown, RDN, a licensed dietitian and diabetes expert in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

Even though it’s a capsule, it’s considered a weight loss “device” by the FDA, as it’s not absorbed in the digestive tract.

How to Take Plenity

Three Plenity capsules are taken with 16 ounces of water 20 minutes before lunch and dinner. If you forget to take it before these meals, take it as soon as you remember, either during or immediately after your meal.

“It is important to be properly hydrated when taking this medication. It is recommended to be taken with 16 ounces of water before meals, and should be combined with a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables and lean proteins plus regular activity,” says Beney.

Over time, when taking Plenity consistently, many people report feeling full sooner during meals and in between, which can also reduce snacking.

Ingredients

Plenity is made of two main ingredients: cellulose and citric acid, both derived from fruits and vegetables. Research suggests that methyl cellulose forms a gel when exposed to body temperature that could lead to a satiety effect.

When these hydrogel particles are released, they occupy about one-fourth of a person’s stomach volume when fully hydrated, according to research.

“Presently, I’ve had limited individuals take this weight loss pill; however, I’ve encouraged fiber supplements similar to Plenity’s appetite-reducing action. Personally, I’ve heard cravings are reduced and even a slight increase in energy occurred because they didn’t overeat,” says Brown.

Benefits of Taking Plenity

Plenity can be a useful weight loss ally when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise plan. The benefits seen are from one large 24-week study called the Gelesis Loss of Weight (GLOW) study.

Weight Loss

Based on GLOW study results, Plenity users lost an average of 6.4 percent of their initial body weight compared with just 4.4 percent for the placebo group. All participants were also following a low-calorie diet and exercising regularly.

In addition, almost 6 out of 10 people taking Plenity lost at least 5 percent of their body weight throughout the study, considered clinically meaningful weight loss.

Reduced BMI

BMI, a ratio of your height versus weight, was also decreased by 2.1 kg/m2 in the GLOW study Plenity group versus 1.5 kg/m2 in the placebo group. While not a perfect determinant of health as it doesn’t always account for muscle mass, BMI remains one of the most common measures used in the medical world.

Decreased Belly Fat

Excess fat around the midsection is associated with inflammation and increased disease risk, according to a review of research. In the GLOW study, those taking Plenity reduced their waist circumference by 6.7 centimeters versus only 5.0 centimeters in the placebo group.

Based on the results seen thus far in this study, Plenity can potentially improve various aspects of body weight for at least 24 weeks.

When combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan, Plenity has the potential to complement your weight loss results. Individual results can vary.

Even though more research is needed into how long weight loss results last with Plenity, we still believe it to be a more natural, safer weight loss pill than others on the market.

Working alongside a healthcare professional can reduce the risk of weight regain after coming off of Plenity and ensure you achieve the best results possible with the least side effects.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before trying new pills, supplements, or regimens.