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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Orlistat vs Sage: Sage has the stronger overall evidence (6 vs 6/10); the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Sage wins 1 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
2 of 2 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Orlistat and Sage have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
Prescription Xenical: 120 mg three times daily (360 mg/day), taken with or up to 1 hour after each main fat-containing meal. Over-the-counter Alli: 60 mg three times daily (180 mg/day). Skip the dose if a meal is missed or contains no fat. Used alongside a reduced-calorie diet in which fat supplies roughly 30% of energy — a higher-fat meal makes the gastrointestinal side effects markedly worse, not the weight loss better.
with-meals
Xenical 120 mg capsule three times daily with meals (prescription)
300–600 mg standardized extract daily
With breakfast, With dinner (split dosing)
Standardized extract (300–600 mg, 2.5% rosmarinic acid)
and 2 more not shown
and 4 more not shown
4–12 weeks to onset; maximal by 6–12 months
Year 2 of continuous use
Years
3–12 months
4–8 weeks
4–8 weeks
4–8 weeks
8–12 weeks
XENical in the prevention of diabetes in obese subjects (XENDOS) study: a randomized study of orlistat as an adjunct to lifestyle changes for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in obese patients.
Diabetes Care (2004) · Rct · n=3305
4-year double-blind trial randomising 3,305 obese patients (BMI ≥30) to lifestyle changes plus orlistat 120 mg or placebo three times daily
Randomised placebo-controlled trial of orlistat for weight loss and prevention of weight regain in obese patients. European Multicentre Orlistat Study Group.
Lancet (1998) · Rct · n=688
743 obese patients (BMI 28–47) entered a 4-week placebo lead-in at 15 European centres; 688 were randomised double-blind to orlistat 120 mg three times a day or placebo for 1 year on a 600 kcal/day-deficit diet, then reassigned for a second 52-week weight-maintenance period
Weight control and risk factor reduction in obese subjects treated for 2 years with orlistat: a randomized controlled trial.
JAMA (1999) · Rct · n=892
2-year randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at 18 US research centres; 1,187 obese adults (BMI 30–43) entered and 892 were randomised, with 223 placebo- and 657 orlistat-treated subjects in the intent-to-treat analysis
Systematic review of clinical trials assessing pharmacological properties of Salvia species on memory, cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics (2014) · Systematic review
Multiple clinical trials demonstrated improvements in memory and attention in healthy young adults following acute and chronic Salvia officinalis or Salvia lavandulaefolia administration.
Exploring the therapeutic impact of Salvia officinalis on lipid and oxidative stress markers in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome - a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2025) · Rct · n=60
Women with PCOS receiving Salvia officinalis extract showed significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to the placebo group.
Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
J Clin Pharm Ther (2003) · Rct · n=42
Significant improvement in ADAS-cog and CDR-SB scores vs placebo (P<0.003)
Based on multiple RCTs showing improvements in word recall, working memory, and attention. Effects varied by specific cognitive domain and population. Most studies used standardized extracts.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Sage has a higher evidence score (6/10 vs 6/10) and wins in 1 of 3 categories.
No known interactions between Orlistat and Sage have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.