What to Know About Meratrim

Medically Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD, LD on June 05, 2023
2 min read

Losing weight and keeping it off can be a tricky battle. There is a large market of weight loss supplements meant to aid in the battle. Meratrim is one of the more well-known weight loss supplements on the market. Meratrim is a supplement made up of two herbs, Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana, which have both been used in traditional medicine. The company that produces Meratrim claims that these two herbs, working in unison, can suppress your appetite, stop your body from storing fat, and generally make it easier to lose weight and keep it off. 

Sphaeranthus indicus is an aromatic plant from the Asteraceae family. It has a long history of medicinal use in Southeast Asia, especially in India’s Ayurvedic system, and is known by many different names in different countries. 

More than a weight loss supplement, it is prized as a remedy against disease, inflammation, diabetes, psoriasis, and many other conditions. Although more research needs to be conducted, based on current results scientists believe that the health benefits of Sphaeranthus indicus support its traditional uses. 

Similarly, Garcinia mangostana is also widely used in Southeast Asia and has a similar status in the Ayurvedic system as Sphaeranthus does. Its fruit, mangosteen, is widely used for its diet and weight loss benefits, especially for its effect on the metabolism

Current studies on Meratrim haven’t shown any cause for concern. Humans tolerated Meratrim well in short-term clinical studies, but its longer-term effects, if any, are mostly unknown.  

More human studies are needed before a definitive answer can be given. Scientists conducting animal testing during a 13-week study didn't find a single incident of concern.  

Yes, during testing scientists found measurable weight loss benefits from using the supplement. During an 8-week trial study of 100 people, the group that had been taking Meratrim had lost more weight than the group that had been given the placebo medication.

Moreover, weight loss wasn’t the only benefit that the researchers found. The group using Meratrim also showed a reduced body-mass-index (BMI), and they also had improved lipid and glycemic levels over the placebo group. Although there were some side effects during the study, these were distributed across both groups and might have resulted from the diet and exercise regimen rather than the medication. 

Although Meratrim has been shown effective for short-term weight loss, no supplement can be used as a long-term solution. The role of a supplement is to support other lifestyle changes. Your weight loss won’t be permanent if you don’t also focus on your diet and exercise. 

Even small lifestyle changes, like taking a walk each morning, can pay off. In addition to losing weight, exercising more can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and a number of other conditions.