Burn, fat, burn: do metabolism boosters-in-a-bottle actually work?

THE EPHEDRA CRAZE (and controversy) is long past, yet hope for help in supplement form springs eternal. There are still products out there that claim to burn fat, boost metabolism, or suppress appetite. They remain popular--but are they effective?

The answer is a firm "maybe." While no pill can take the place of proper nutrition and regular exercise, there are a few supplements that might help you make the most of your weight-loss program. "Certain minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids can increase metabolic function and [help you] burn fat more efficiently," says Mackie Shilstone, director of health and fitness for the Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute in New Orleans and author of The Fat Burning Bible: 28 Days of Foods, Supplements, and Workouts That Help You Lose Weight.

"I still believe in the old-fashioned way of weight loss--burning more calories than you consume," says Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council in Austin, Texas. "If some of these supplements can help in that direction, fine." Here are a few metabolism helpers worth investigating.