Myota® Metabolic Booster review: does it work for weight loss?

Jump to: Understanding Myota’s approach | Individual ingredient analysis | Research evidence and NHS trials | Cost considerations and alternatives | Take home message

Myota’s Metabolic Booster contains prebiotic fibres that have been tested in NHS clinical trials, which showed a positive impact on lowering blood sugar, but not weight loss. This is despite the company’s marketing suggesting it’s a potential weight loss aid.

There is limited research to suggest that supporting gut health can independently contribute to weight loss without other changes to one’s diet and lifestyle.

Recent research published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows Myota’s blend can improve blood sugar control and reduce inflammation in people with pre-diabetes.

Unlike weight loss pills containing caffeine and unproven ingredients, Myota is fundamentally a gut health supplement being marketed as a weight loss solution.

The question is whether spending £50+ monthly on specialised fibre makes sense when you could invest that money in weight loss solutions with a stronger evidence base.

The fundamental question remains whether expensive supplements can replace what a varied, whole foods diet naturally provides.

In most cases, developing sustainable eating habits delivers broader health benefits than any single product, regardless of the research behind it.

Keep reading if you’d like to learn more about Myota, the science behind it, and whether it’s worth the money.

Understanding Myota’s approach: real science, but false marketing

Myota’s Metabolic Booster differs from most weight loss supplements in that it has undergone human clinical trials to demonstrate its effectiveness, rather than relying solely on caffeine and random plant extracts.

The company was founded by scientists from MIT who spent years studying why different people’s gut bacteria react differently to fibre.

They developed blends designed to work for most people’s gut bacteria, rather than relying on a single type of fibre to work for everyone.

The Metabolic Booster contains eight different types of prebiotic fibre: wheat fibre, oat fibre, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), inulin, resistant starch, partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG), and guar fibre, plus some zinc.

This approach differs completely from typical weight loss pills. Instead of trying to speed up our metabolism or block fat absorption, Myota feeds your gut bacteria specific fibres that they break down into helpful compounds called short-chain fatty acids.

When our gut bacteria digest these fibres, they produce substances that can help control hunger hormones, reduce inflammation, and help our body use insulin more effectively.

The science is sound. The problem is that there’s a big difference between ‘supports healthy metabolism’ and ‘helps you lose weight.’

The research shows clear benefits for blood sugar and gut health, but the weight loss effects are much less convincing.

Individual ingredient analysis: what the research shows

Here’s what studies actually show about Myota’s ingredients for weight loss:

Partially Hydrolysed Guar Gum (PHGG)

This ingredient has the strongest evidence for appetite control. Studies suggest it can help reduce calorie intake, with research finding people consumed 13-32 fewer calories per meal when taking 6-18g daily.

However, Myota doesn’t disclose how much of each ingredient is in their blend. Since their entire serving is 10g and contains eight different fibres, there’s probably not enough PHGG to match the research doses.

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)

Research in The Journal of Nutrition found that GOS can reduce appetite in overweight participants. Those taking 18g daily consumed 32 fewer calories per test meal.

Animal studies show stronger effects, with GOS preventing diet-induced weight gain in rats.

However, these studies used doses far higher than are likely contained in Myota’s blend, and animal results don’t always translate well to humans.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)

The evidence for weight loss is weak. A review found that FOS at doses under 10g daily doesn’t really affect how much people eat.

Some studies do show benefits, but they used much higher doses; 35 g or more daily for months.

At normal supplement doses, FOS mainly supports gut health rather than weight loss.

Inulin

Inulin shows some promise for weight loss, especially in people with blood sugar issues.

One study in people with pre-diabetes found that 30g daily helped them maintain weight loss and reduced liver fat.

Most successful studies used 20-35g daily, much more than any supplement provides. At lower doses, inulin primarily supports digestion and blood sugar regulation.

Resistant starch

Recent research published in Nature Metabolism found that resistant starch supplementation (40g daily) resulted in 2.8kg weight loss over 8 weeks by altering gut bacteria composition.

This represents promising evidence, but the effective dose was 40g daily, four times Myota’s entire serving size.

At the amounts likely present in Myota, resistant starch supports gut health without producing meaningful weight loss.

The dosage reality

The evidence consistently shows benefits, but at doses significantly higher than are likely contained in Myota’s blend.

Myota’s 10g serving contains eight different fibres, meaning each component is present at a fraction of research-proven amounts.

To put this in perspective: it’s like expecting adequate protein intake from a handful of chickpeas. Technically, protein is present, but not in meaningful quantities.

Research evidence and NHS trials: solid methodology, limited weight loss data

Myota’s research credentials are well-established. Their pre-diabetes study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, represents rigorous clinical research rather than industry-sponsored marketing material.

The 24-week trial included 66 people with pre-diabetes who took either 20g of Myota’s Metabolic Booster or placebo daily.

Results showed measurable improvements in blood sugar control (HbA1c), insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers.

These improvements occurred without participants modifying their diet or exercise habits (at least, without the researchers tracking whether diet or exercise habits changed), indicating that Myota’s blend does have an impact.

The NHS is now using Myota’s blend in additional studies examining both pre-diabetic and type 2 diabetic patients. NHS involvement suggests clinical credibility beyond typical supplement marketing.

However, the research focused on metabolic markers rather than weight loss outcomes.

While participants may have experienced some weight changes, this wasn’t the primary measurement, and significant weight loss wasn’t reported in the study results.

The mechanism to support weight loss has biological plausibility. The fibre blend feeds beneficial gut bacteria, which produce compounds that can improve insulin function and reduce inflammation.

These changes could theoretically support weight management over time.

The distinction is important: changes in blood sugar, insulin, and gut bacteria that might support weight management differ from interventions that directly cause substantial weight reduction. Myota falls into the former category.

Dr Thomas Gurry, Myota’s co-founder, describes their approach as creating prebiotic blends that function across different gut bacteria compositions. This represents legitimate innovation in gut health supplementation.

The evidence suggests Myota may benefit those with pre-diabetes or insulin resistance.

For generally healthy individuals seeking weight loss, the research doesn’t support this application.

Cost considerations and alternatives: is fancy fibre worth £50+ monthly?

At roughly £50-60 per month, Myota costs significantly more than basic gut health supplements but less than proven weight loss treatments.

The whole foods alternative

You can obtain all the same prebiotic fibres naturally from food for a fraction of the cost:

Food source	Prebiotic fibre provided	Weekly amount needed	Estimated weekly cost
Onions (3 medium)	Inulin, FOS	450g	£0.80
Garlic (1 bulb)	Inulin, FOS	50g	£0.40
Oats (500g bag)	Resistant starch, fibre	350g (50g daily)	£1.00
Cooked & cooled potatoes	Resistant starch	3 medium potatoes	£0.60
Dried beans/lentils (500g)	GOS, PHGG, fibre	140g (20g daily)	£1.20
Bananas	Resistant starch, FOS	6 bananas	£1.50
Leeks (2 large)	Inulin, FOS	300g	£1.20
Total weekly cost	All prebiotic fibres in Myota		£6.70
Monthly cost	£50-60		£26.80

Myota monthly cost: £50-60
Whole foods approach: £26.80
Monthly saving: £23-33

Plus, you get vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that supplements can’t replicate.

If you prefer supplements

You can obtain similar prebiotic effects more affordably:

• PHGG supplements: £15-25 monthly for 6g daily
• Inulin powder: £10-15 monthly for 10g daily
• Resistant starch: £20-30 monthly for substantial doses
• Individual approach: £30-40 monthly for higher amounts of specific fibres

Myota offers convenience and the exact combination tested in NHS trials. If the specific blend of eight fibres provides synergistic benefits, the premium may be warranted.

For weight loss specifically, the cost-benefit analysis doesn’t add up.

Consider your primary objectives:

• Blood sugar management/pre-diabetes: Myota’s NHS research suggests it might be beneficial
• Substantial weight loss: Proven interventions offer superior results for comparable costs
• General gut health: Individual prebiotics may provide similar benefits more economically
• Convenience: Myota’s comprehensive approach reduces complexity

Myota occupies an uncomfortable position price-wise, too expensive for basic gut support, yet insufficient for primary weight loss intervention.

Take home message

Myota Metabolic Booster contains prebiotic fibres that have been tested in NHS trials.

The published research demonstrates significant benefits for blood sugar control and inflammation in individuals with pre-diabetes. However, the studies focused on metabolic health, not weight loss.

At £50+ monthly, Myota costs more than basic gut support but less than proven weight loss treatments.

The bigger question is whether it offers anything you can’t get from eating a varied diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

You can obtain all the same prebiotic fibres naturally from food.

Onions, garlic, beans, oats, and other plant foods provide these compounds without the monthly subscription cost.

Plus, you get vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that supplements can’t replicate.

For people with blood sugar issues or pre-diabetes, Myota’s NHS research makes it worth considering.

But even then, focusing on foods containing these prebiotics would likely provide similar (or greater) benefits alongside other health improvements.

For weight loss specifically, proven treatments like GLP-1 medications or comprehensive behaviour change programmes would provide much better results.

Myota functions as a gut health supplement, backed by research. There’s no evidence it supports weight loss, despite the marketing claims.

It’s important to consider that no supplement can replace the benefits of a varied, nutrient-dense diet that naturally provides these same compounds.