Weight management

Glucomannan in the context of an energy-restricted diet contributes to weight loss. Here you will find glucomannan, a meal replacement and protein powder, plus chromium and plant-based products such as coleus, each with an honest assessment. Read the guide ↓

Your favourite jeans do not fit the way they used to? Many people know that feeling, and it is no reason to reach for miracle products.

If you want to lose weight, one thing matters most: taking in less energy from food than your body uses. No capsule replaces that.

For food supplements, there are only a few weight claims that the EU has assessed and approved: for glucomannan and for meal replacements, each as part of an energy-restricted diet. On top of that come protein for the muscles and chromium for metabolism.

Here you will learn how to use glucomannan and meal replacements correctly, why protein matters when losing weight and what is behind coleus, apple cider vinegar and the like. With figures instead of promises.

Woman seen from behind in front of an open wardrobe, thoughtfully holding up a pair of jeans, with clothes lying on the bed
Symbolic image: AI-generated

What the EU allows on weight

For food supplements, only what the EU has assessed and approved may be claimed. On weight, that means glucomannan and meal replacements, and both only under clear conditions. The graphic shows how to use them.

Graphic: glucomannan 3 g a day in 3 portions of 1 g with water before meals; meal replacement: replace 1 main meal to maintain weight, 2 to lose weight
3 g
glucomannan a day, in 3 portions
200 to 250 kcal
required per meal replacement
0.8 g
protein per kg body weight recommended per day
Glucomannan
“Glucomannan in the context of an energy restricted diet contributes to weight loss.”
Conditions: 3 g a day in 3 portions of 1 g, each with 1 to 2 glasses of water before a meal
Curious fact: Glucomannan comes from the konjac root and can bind many times its own weight in water.
Meal replacement
“Substituting two of the daily main meals of an energy restricted diet with such meal replacements contributes to weight loss.”
“Substituting one of the daily main meals of an energy restricted diet with such meal replacements contributes to the maintenance of weight after weight loss.”
Good to know: What counts as a meal replacement is defined by law, for example 200 to 250 kcal per meal and a minimum amount of protein, vitamins and minerals.
Protein and chromium
“Protein contributes to a maintenance of muscle mass.”
“Chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism.”
Recommended per day: 0.8 g protein per kg body weight (from age 65: 1 g)
Found in: protein in pulses, dairy, fish and meat, chromium in wholegrain and nuts

Glucomannan and meal replacements in our range

These two products meet the conditions for the weight claims. The Najara shake is also available as a value set with 4 tubs.

nutri+ Glucomannan Slim Caps
nutri+
Glucomannan Slim Caps
6 capsules daily · 30 days
Glucomannan
3 g
Portions
3
Chromium
40 µg
Also: 2.5 µg vitamin B12
View product
Life Najara Protein Shake Vegan
Life Light
Najara Protein Shake
40 g per meal · 12 servings
Energy
247 kcal
Protein
18 g
Fibre
2.5 g
Also: 23 vitamins and minerals, coenzyme Q10
View product

Protein for the muscles

When you eat less, you want to lose fat, not muscle. Protein contributes to a maintenance of muscle mass. Both powders provide around 24 g protein per serving with hardly any sugar. The nutri+ 6K has a neutral taste and can also be stirred into yoghurt, muesli or smoothies. You will find shakes in many flavours in our category Protein powder.

nutri+ 6K Protein Powder Natural
nutri+
6K Protein Powder Natural
30 g per serving · 33 servings
Protein
24 g
Energy
116 kcal
Sugar
under 0.5 g
View product
Aktiv3 Protein XXL 92 Vanilla
Aktiv3
Protein XXL 92 Vanilla
30 g per serving · 15 servings
Protein
24.4 g
Energy
103 kcal
Sugar
0.2 g
Also: 100 mg magnesium, 2.5 mg zinc
View product

Chromium, zinc and B vitamins for metabolism

These nutrients have approved claims for metabolism. For example, zinc contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism and thiamine (vitamin B1) contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Optiolex Crematio also contains plant extracts and caffeine.

Viterna pick
Optiolex Crematio capsules
Optiolex
Crematio capsules
1 capsule daily · 60 days
Chromium
none
Zinc
8 mg
Vit. B1
1.2 mg
Also: 25 mg tea polyphenols, 24 mg hydroxycitric acid, 4.8 mg caffeine, 3 mg synephrine
View product
Robert Franz Chromium Picolinate
Robert Franz
Chromium Picolinate
1 capsule daily
Chromium
200 µg
Zinc
none
Vit. B1
none
View product

Coleus and apple cider vinegar: what is behind them

These products rely on plants and amino acids. They often have a long tradition.

anatis Coleus
anatis
Coleus
2 capsules daily · 45 days
Extract
500 mg
Forskolin
50 mg
View product
anatis Small Coleus set
anatis
Small Coleus set
Set of 3 products
Items
3
Capsules
450
Contains: Coleus, Amino Acids I and III Complex
View product
anatis Large Coleus set
anatis
Large Coleus set
Set of 6 products
Items
6
Capsules
670
Contains: Coleus, Amino Acids I and III, krill oil, Micro Base + Aronia, vitamin B complex
View product
Robert Franz Keto
Robert Franz
Keto
2 capsules daily · 60 days
Cider vinegar
700 mg
Ginger
200 mg
View product
Coleus
Coleus forskohlii
A plant of the mint family from India, known in Europe as an ornamental plant. Its root is the source of the plant substance forskolin.
Apple cider vinegar and ginger
Malus, Zingiber officinale
Apple cider vinegar is an old kitchen remedy. Robert Franz Keto contains it as a powder, together with ginger.
Green tea, garcinia, bitter orange
Camellia sinensis, Garcinia cambogia, Citrus aurantium
These extracts are in Optiolex Crematio. Bitter orange provides synephrine, guarana and green tea provide caffeine.
Our view: These products may interest you, for example because you know them from tradition. If you are looking for something backed by approved claims, choose glucomannan or a meal replacement.

Three myths that refuse to go away

Myth 1
“The right capsule makes the fat melt away.”
Fact: What counts is the energy balance: fewer calories from food than your body uses.
Myth 2
“When losing weight, protein is the best place to cut back.”
Fact: Protein contributes to a maintenance of muscle mass. The recommendation is 0.8 g per kg body weight per day, from age 65 1 g.
Myth 3
“You can just swallow glucomannan in passing.”
Fact: The claim only applies with 1 to 2 glasses of water before each meal. Glucomannan swells strongly and is not suitable if you have difficulty swallowing.

Good to know when taking supplements

✓
Glucomannan only with plenty of water
Swallow each portion with 1 to 2 glasses of water, 30 to 45 minutes before eating. With difficulty swallowing or too little fluid, it can swell in the throat.
✓
Mix the meal replacement correctly
Najara according to the manufacturer: 40 g powder in 175 ml rice drink, plus 5 drops of rapeseed oil. Only then do you get the complete meal with around 247 kcal.
✓
Caffeine, synephrine and allergens
Optiolex Crematio contains 4.8 mg caffeine and 3 mg synephrine per capsule. The nutri+ 6K contains soy, wheat and almond. The full ingredients are listed on each product page.
✓
Read the notes on the product page
For apple cider vinegar, the manufacturer of Robert Franz Keto gives its own notes for people with diabetes and for medicines that lower potassium levels. You will find them on the product page.

Frequently asked questions

Which approved claims exist on weight?+
For glucomannan: in the context of an energy-restricted diet it contributes to weight loss. For meal replacements: substituting two of the daily main meals contributes to weight loss, substituting one contributes to the maintenance of weight after weight loss. Both apply only as part of an energy-restricted diet.
How do I take glucomannan correctly?+
3 g a day, split into 3 portions of 1 g, each with 1 to 2 glasses of water before a meal. With nutri+ Glucomannan that means 2 capsules 3 times a day, 30 to 45 minutes before eating. Glucomannan is not suitable if you have difficulty swallowing.
What is a meal replacement?+
A food that replaces a main meal and meets legal requirements for this, for example 200 to 250 kcal per meal and a minimum amount of protein, vitamins and minerals. The Najara shake is such a meal replacement.
How much protein do I need when losing weight?+
The nutrition societies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland recommend 0.8 g protein per kg body weight per day for adults, from age 65 1 g. Protein contributes to a maintenance of muscle mass.
Why is the category called weight management?+
Because it is the term EU law also uses, for example for meal replacements in a weight-control diet. Losing weight is the goal; weight management describes more honestly what products can contribute: together with an energy-restricted diet.
In short
On weight, only two things have an approved claim: glucomannan and meal replacements, both as part of an energy-restricted diet. Protein contributes to a maintenance of muscle mass.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Glucomannan: 3 g a day in 3 portions, each with 1 to 2 glasses of water before eating.
  • Meal replacement: replace 2 meals to lose weight, 1 to maintain it.
  • Protein contributes to a maintenance of muscle mass.
Note: Health claims refer exclusively to the nutrients and foods named and comply with Regulation (EU) No 432/2012. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of the reach of young children.