Q. Do SlimShots really help you lose weight?

A. SlimShots are the latest late-night infomercial weight loss sensation. The ads claim SlimShots help you decrease your food intake up to 30 percent, without causing you to feel hungry or deprived of your favorite foods.

SlimShots are liquid appetite suppressants packaged like individual coffee creamers. They contain an emulsion of palm oil, oat oil, water, aspartame and artificial flavoring. They can be taken alone or mixed in foods or coffee.

SlimShots work by delaying digestion of the oily mix until it settles deep in the small intestine. Here, it triggers an appetite control mechanism known as the "ileal brake," which slows down the movement of food through the intestine. This causes the release of hormones that send an "appetite satisfied" signal to the brain, delaying hunger for several hours after eating.

There is some research supporting the use of palm and oat oil fat emulsions to control appetite. None of the studies actually used SlimShots, but they used the same active ingredients. Some of the studies show positive results in decreasing food intake and some show no benefit. Amazingly, the studies didn't measure whether or not the participants actually lost weight.

SlimShots alone will not produce weight loss. You must do your part, which is following a reduced-calorie diet. You also must get off your 'okole and move your body. And eating less food won't produce weight loss if you continue to eat foods high in calories.

This product may work for folks whose overeating is caused by excessive hunger. It won't be much help if your eating is triggered by stress, boredom or a co-worker bringing manapua or pastries into the office. In these cases, hunger is not the reason for eating.

Eating 10 to 15 walnuts with each meal and adding foods with soluble fiber, such as oatmeal and apples, will control your appetite with less expense.

Overall, SlimShots offer a short-term answer, but not a good long-term strategy. Do you plan to spend the rest of your life drinking shots of oil? Just some food for thought.