Cassia nomame

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Cassia nomame (Chamaecrista nomame) is a leguminous plant whose seed and aerial parts are used in traditional Japanese medicine and as a supplement ingredient for weight management. It is also found as LipoShield in some commercial blends.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Fat absorption and weight management

Limited Evidence

Small RCTs of Cassia nomame extract suggest modest reductions in fat absorption and body weight. Effects are smaller than prescription orlistat.

How it works

Cassia nomame contains catechin-type polyphenols and is studied for its ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase, the enzyme that digests dietary fat. By partially blocking lipase, less dietary fat is absorbed. Laboratory studies show lipase inhibition similar in mechanism to the prescription drug orlistat. Human clinical data are limited.

Dosage

Common supplement doses are 250-500 mg of extract per meal. Standardization varies; follow product label.

When and how to take it

Take just before fat-containing meals for maximum lipase-blocking effect.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Seed or aerial parts extract

Used in weight-management supplements.

Acts locally in the gut

Safety

Generally well-tolerated in published trials. Like other lipase inhibitors, can cause oily stools, gas, and loose stools, especially with high-fat meals.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data. People with chronic malabsorption or fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies should not use lipase inhibitors without clinician oversight.

Interactions

May reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and fat-soluble medications. Take fat-soluble vitamins at a different time of day.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cassia nomame like Alli/orlistat?⌄

Same mechanism (pancreatic lipase inhibition) but much weaker. Side effects can be similar (oily stools).

Will it block all dietary fat?⌄

No. It modestly reduces fat absorption. A high-fat meal can still cause GI side effects.

References

Cassia nomame on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Cassia nomame on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Cassia nomame (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.