Best Supplements For Weight Loss – 10 Things To Try

When it comes to trying to lose extra weight, there’s always diet and exercise. However, sometimes that’s not enough to move the needle on the scale. And when it’s not, extra intervention can help in the form of natural supplements. Let’s take a further look into the best supplements for weight loss to find out what actually works.

If you are considering taking a supplement for weight loss, always check with your doctor beforehand to make sure it is the right choice for you.

You should also note that supplements are not FDA-reviewed in the same way that food and medicines are.

Therefore, not all brands are created equally in terms of potency or efficacy. Luckily, some supplement ingredients can be found naturally in foods and drinks.

1. Green Tea Extract

Many supplements in the weight loss market contain green tea extract. For many years, green tea extract has been a popular choice for people trying to lose extra weight.

It has been said that consuming green tea extract may help with weight loss, particularly belly fat.

Studies have shown encouraging evidence that suggests green tea can help boost metabolism and burn fat.

However, science hasn’t fully made a claim one way or the other with regard to green tea.

This may be because each individual is different in how they metabolize and also how each of the studies was conducted. Further evidence would be needed.

Green tea has been consumed in China and Asia for centuries. Science is finding that green tea may change some digestive enzymes so that less fat and sugar is absorbed by the body.

Therefore, fewer calories may be processed.

The nutrients responsible for this change are the polyphenols found in green tea. Polyphenols can also be found in nuts, berries, red onions and certain other teas.

Try drinking 2-3 cups of hot green tea throughout the day if you are interested in green tea extract as a weight loss booster. For an added fat loss benefit, drink your green tea before a workout.

Too much green tea in the diet may cause some side effects such as nausea, insomnia, diarrhea and agitation. There is caffeine in green tea, so it is important to be aware if you are sensitive to its effects.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics added to your diet is a great way to keep your gut healthy while helping your waistline. These natural, live bacteria help your digestive tract in many ways.

Bacteria in the gut can actually help or hinder your weight loss progress. This is because bacteria levels can affect your appetite.

Short-chain fatty acid production in the GI tract changes when amounts of bacteria are not optimal. This in turn can increase the hunger hormone, ghrelin which leads to a growing appetite.

Probiotic supplements when added to your diet can help to balance the good bacteria in your gut, which can help reduce appetite. They also help reduce inflammation in the gut which can contribute to weight gain and water retention.

Keep in mind that while adding probiotics to your diet can be a good thing, they will not make much difference unless you remove other unhealthy things out of your diet (such as processed, refined foods, too much meat, too much sugar).

3. Whey Protein Powder

Whey protein powder added into your smoothies can help you retain muscle mass while keeping hunger at bay. It is easier to lose weight with better muscle mass, as muscle burns more calories than fat.

Overall, more muscle mass also leads to a better metabolism and feeling stronger. Studies have shown that regular use of whey protein powder in obese people can lead to more fat loss while still retaining muscle.

Whey protein powder can be used in combination with a healthy, calorie-controlled diet to help retain muscle and lose fat. That’s important to retain your muscle mass for strength and well-being.

Look for one that is low in sugar, tastes good and isn’t filled with unnecessary artificial ingredients when you are shopping for whey protein powder. Some whey protein powders can be very expensive, so find one that suits your budget and taste buds!

4. Glucomannan

This dietary plant fiber comes from the root of the konjac plant. Although it has been used as a food and medicine in Asian cultures, it is showing promising potential for weight loss.

Glucomannan when consumed, is supposed to help block fat in your food from being absorbed by the body. So far, the scientific evidence is mixed in terms of weight loss results.

This supplement is best taken in capsule or powder form to help prevent internal blockages.

It may help treat constipation by absorbing water from the stomach and intestines to create fibers that bulk up and move stool.

Traditionally, glucomannan has been used to treat diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity as it may lower sugar and cholesterol levels in the gut.

Further studying of glucomannan is necessary to validate these claims. Taking this supplement may interfere with other prescription medications, so always check with your doctor before taking.

5. Turmeric

This potent antioxidant is often seen as a nutritional plant superfood.

That is because it can help reduce inflammation, may improve blood sugar level, has antioxidant properties and may even lower blood pressure.

Turmeric is often taken in powder or capsule form. It is also known as curcumin.

The reason turmeric can be effective for weight loss is that it can regulate blood sugar levels which can in turn, help prevent insulin resistance.

This is important when trying to prevent type-2 diabetes as well.

Curcumin can also help lower inflammation in the body which is important to lowering cortisol levels. Too much cortisol in the body can lead to dangerous belly fat along with many other health conditions.

Turmeric tea taken regularly can help increase bile acids which makes it great for digestion. Consuming this tea can really help if you suffer from gas, bloating or stomach issues.

6. Fish Oil

There are many reasons that omega-3 fatty acids are important in the diet. Recent research suggests that it can help with managing weight and preventing obesity.

Although commonly found in the dietary supplement market, fish oil can also be ingested naturally by eating salmon, oysters, walnuts and flaxseed on a regular basis.

Evidence is suggesting that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can help people feel full longer and help reduce appetite which makes it ideal for helping to reduce snacking.

Further research shows that fish oil can help improve fat metabolism by breaking down fat and stunting its storage in the body.

This supplement also helps promote good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering the bad (LDL) and triglycerides.

Fish oil supplements when taken regularly, can provide weight loss benefits, heart-health protection and brain-health function.

7. Beta-glucan

Oatmeal is definitely a good food to eat. Beta-glucan has been extensively researched over the years.

It has been found to help with weight loss and keep people full longer.

When you feel fuller for a longer period, you tend to eat less. Therefore, this may lead to losing a few pounds.

This plant soluble fiber can easily be found in oats and barley. You will also find it in mushrooms, seaweed, algae and whole grains.

Moreover, this plant fiber can help lower cholesterol levels, stabilize blood sugar levels and boost the immune system.

Adding beta-glucan into your diet has many health benefits and is well worth adding to your healthy diet.

8. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

This naturally occurring fatty acid is often found in dairy products and meat. Many claims say that it can help reduce body fat while promoting muscle mass all while helping control appetite.

Some research suggests that using a CLA supplement is helpful for weight loss while others disagree. So the evidence up until now, is mixed.

Studies suggest that CLA may help with weight loss for the first 6 months. However, long-term use of CLA is not recommended, as it may lower good cholesterol and increase insulin resistance over time.

9. Chromium Picolinate

Chromium is a common dietary supplement that may reduce appetite, help reduce fat, help you burn more calories and improve muscle mass. This is popular in weight loss formulas because it helps how insulin works in the body.

Insulin plays a key role in how the body’s metabolism functions plus how it stores/uses proteins, carbs and fats. It is important to regulate blood sugar levels when trying to lose weight or prevent type-2 diabetes.

In theory, chromium is thought to be used to stabilize blood sugar levels. As a result, the body should have fewer cravings. This can in turn help promote weight loss.

However, whether chromium can lead to increased muscle mass or fat loss is still up for debate. Further research is needed.

10. Caffeine

Drinking your morning coffee with caffeine may help promote weight loss and keep it off over time.

This stimulant can help make you feel more energetic and alert which is helpful when you want to workout.

Caffeine consumption can help boost your metabolism.

The better your metabolic rate is, the easier is it to lose weight and help prevent gaining it back.

Another benefit of caffeine includes the breaking down of fats in the body into the blood stream.

However, if this is to be effective for weight loss, you would have to be burning more calories than you eat. In other words, you need a calorie deficit.

Regular consumption of caffeine does have benefits. Unfortunately, over time the body builds up a tolerance to caffeine levels.

Therefore, using coffee as a long-term solution for weight loss may not be the most effective choice.

The Best Supplements For Weight Loss Final Thoughts…

It can be a daunting challenge to find the right dietary supplement.

However, it is helpful to know that there are plenty of natural choices available to you through the foods and beverages you may already be consuming.

Although no pill or powder will be a magic weight loss cure, adding in some of these natural supplements can make a difference in your weight loss journey.

Some of the aforementioned supplements may help you to achieve your goals.

Ultimately, it’s important to keep in mind that eating a healthy, portion-controlled diet along with regular exercise are the best first steps in trying to lose weight successfully.