Exeter and Plymouth Universities researchers have warned that a number of people are relying on food supplements in the hope of shedding weight. But, it is shear wastage of money.

At the International Conference on Obesity in Stockholm, the researchers said that they have been claiming the failed effectiveness of the supplements in reducing weight, on the basis of a study.

"While mainstream drugs for body weight reduction must demonstrate efficacy before receiving a license, food supplements do not need to meet this requirement", they said.

They added that a couple of these supplements have been put to a clinical scrutiny, with a number of experts raising doubts over their remedial worth.

According to a report provided by Google, numerous websites have been claiming a weight loss possibility with the food supplements they provide, in merely 12 days.

The study conducted by the Exeter and Plymouth Universities researchers analyzed as many as 189 obese people, dividing them into 10 groups with half of them receiving weight-loss supplements and others a counterfeit pill.

British Heart Foundation Spokeswoman said that the people waste a huge sum on these supplements, as they hardly shed any amounts of weight after taking these supplements.