Joanie · Fitness and weight

Fat burners, supplements, injections: what Health Canada says

“Best fat burner”, “weight loss supplements”, “weight loss injections”, “vitamins for weight loss”: promises sell well. This guide sums up what Health Canada and other recognized sources say about them, how to check a product before buying it, and what creatine really does. No brand is named.

By Joanie Roussy — certified NOOM coach; certified Strong Nation™, Zumba®, Zumbini® and CIRCL Mobility™ instructor; Shinkyokushin black belt karateka, sempai and director of the dojo. Joanie is not a registered dietitian: this guide summarizes Canada's Food Guide and other official sources. Her story.

01The short answer

Health Canada puts it simply: there is no magic pill that makes you lose weight effortlessly. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the evidence on weight-loss supplements is inconclusive, and some contain hidden drugs. Before buying a health product, look on the package for an eight-digit Health Canada number (DIN or NPN). Injectable weight-loss medications are prescription-only, and Health Canada advises buying them only from a licensed pharmacy; and there is no solid proof that vitamin B12 shots help with weight loss. To get moving every week, with nothing to buy: the first week of Joanie Roussy's women's classes is free.

02“Fat burners”

The Office of Dietary Supplements at the U.S. National Institutes of Health has reviewed the ingredients sold for weight loss. Its conclusion: the evidence is inconclusive and unconvincing. It adds that products sold as supplements are sometimes tainted with prescription-drug ingredients; in 2016, the FDA issued 36 notices about weight-loss products with a hidden drug ingredient, often sibutramine.

One serious case is DNP (dinitrophenol), sold online as a “fat burner”. Health Canada has warned against using products that contain it, stating that there is no known safe dose.

03Before buying: the Health Canada number

A health product authorized by Health Canada carries an eight-digit number on the package: DIN, NPN or DIN-HM. Health Canada also warns about products ordered from unreliable online sources, which may be counterfeit or contain ingredients other than those advertised.

And if a product promises effortless weight loss, Health Canada instead recommends talking to a health care practitioner about the best way to reach and keep a healthy weight. Losing weight fast? reviews the other promises to avoid.

04Injections: medications and vitamin B12

Injectable medications used for weight loss, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, are prescription drugs. In 2026, Health Canada reported unauthorized versions being sold in Canada, and reminds people to buy prescription drugs only from a licensed pharmacy. Whether they belong in your treatment is a conversation with your doctor.

Vitamin B12 shots are sometimes sold for weight loss. Mayo Clinic answers that there is no solid proof they help you lose weight; health care providers mainly prescribe them to prevent or treat B12 deficiency.

05Probiotics, green tea, creatine

Probiotics and green tea. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, the effects of probiotics on body fat, waist size and weight are inconsistent. For green tea, if it has any effect on weight, it is small and not likely to be clinically relevant; green tea extract, on the other hand, has been linked to liver damage.

Creatine. It is not a fat burner. The Australian Institute of Sport lists it among the supplements studied for repeated high-intensity efforts, and notes that combined with strength training, it can improve training outcomes. It often comes with weight gain from water; no systematic serious adverse effects have been found. For a karateka who competes, a reminder from the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport: some supplements contain ingredients not listed on the label, and anti-doping agencies do not test or certify supplements. Before taking any, ask your doctor or a registered dietitian.

06What really moves things forward

No product replaces the plate and movement. Eating to lose weight sums up the basics of the plate; for movement, Joanie Roussy's Strong Nation™, Bootcamp and Zumba® classes are at noon on weekdays, women only, and adult karate, which is mixed, is held in the evening, from age 14.

07From Griffintown and Pointe-Saint-Charles

In Le Sud-Ouest, in both Griffintown and Pointe-Saint-Charles, the Lachine Canal path is good for walking or cycling on days without class. From there, getting to the dojo works out the route to Nuns' Island, and the schedule gives the class days.

Good to know. This guide informs; it does not replace your doctor's advice. For an eating plan made for you, see a registered dietitian; before taking a supplement or a medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Sources

  1. Health Canada, safe use of health products for weight loss (2012) — www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medical-devices/safe-use-health-products-weight-loss.html
  2. NIH, Office of Dietary Supplements, “Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss” — ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WeightLoss/
  3. Health Canada, warning about DNP (2018) — recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/health-canada-warns-consumers-not-use-health-products-containing-potentially-dangerous
  4. Health Canada, warning about fake GLP-1 drugs (2026) — recalls-rappels.canada.ca
  5. Mayo Clinic, “Vitamin B-12 injections for weight loss: Do they work?” (2025) — mayoclinic.org/diabetes/expert-answers/faq-20058145
  6. Australian Institute of Sport, “Creatine Monohydrate” fact sheet (2021) — www.ais.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1000501/Sport-supplement-fact-sheets-Creatine-v4.pdf
  7. Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, warning on supplement use (2019) — sportintegrity.ca/news/cces-warns-athletes-about-risks-supplement-use

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