Discover the best 9 natural supplements for weight loss that can help you shed pounds and achieve your fitness goals Thanks to sedentary lifestyles and access to calorie-rich foods, gaining weight has become a concern for many. This issue has led people to buy supplements promising weight control or weight loss. However, it can be difficult to choose the right herbs, vitamins, and minerals that can help you shed the excess pounds. Which ones are safe? Which ones are just a waste of money?
To help you pick the best natural supplements for weight loss, we have shared some of the proven products available today. Keep reading to learn more.
9 Natural Supplements for Weight Loss: An Overview
Many supplements exist on the market today, so it’s hard to know which ones are actually worth the money. Since supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, consumers are also wary about what these products actually contain. Thankfully, there are supplements that are backed by medical and scientific research, not just trends or marketing.
Before you take these supplements, remember that they’re not the sole solution to weight loss. These products simply complement your daily regimen and diet, which are the main ways to lose excess fat. Some can help you burn calories efficiently, some make you feel full quickly, and a few suppress your appetite entirely. However, don’t rely on the products on their own if your mission is to reduce your weight. If you have underlying medical issues, make sure to consult your doctor first before taking any supplements.
Fiber
If there’s one supplement that’s been proven time and again to aid in weight loss, it’s fiber. This term refers to a group of carbohydrates that the body cannot digest, passing through the digestive tract intact. Fiber has many benefits and mechanisms that help us shed excess pounds. Beta-glucan, a type of fiber, helps us feel fuller and slows down the breakdown of sugars. Other forms of fiber alter gut hormones and improve the health of our gut microbiome.
Many fiber supplements exist in the market, with psyllium husk and methylcellulose as some of the most popular ones. However, you can still get enough fiber by eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains daily.
Probiotics
The gut microbiome plays an important role in our overall health. Millions of microorganisms living in our stomachs and intestines affect how we process nutrients in food, how we store fat, and when we feel full or hungry. Thanks to these benefits, it’s important to keep our gut microbiome healthy.
Probiotics are supplements that contain good live bacteria, which you can take to boost the number of beneficial microorganisms in the gut. You can also get good bacteria from fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and kimchi.
Green Tea
There are certain compounds in green tea that act as stimulants, such as catechins and caffeine. By increasing metabolic rate, these compounds make you burn fat more quickly. Green tea may also help increase the production of hormones like pancreatic lipase, which make it easier for the body to digest fat.
While you can drink green tea, you can also consume it in the form of pills or tablets. If you have caffeine sensitivity, be sure to take green tea in small amounts.
Fish Oil
Fish oil, by itself, doesn’t directly help with weight loss. However, the supplement can help reduce fat deposits in various parts of the body, especially the abdomen. Studies have shown that the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil increase metabolic rate. When combined with a good diet and exercise, this supplement may just help you get rid of stubborn belly fat.
There are many fish oil supplements on the market. When choosing one, make sure that it contains the bioactive ingredients that heighten fat burning, particularly Omega-3 fatty acids.
Caffeine
Similar to the effects of green tea, caffeine supplements act as stimulants that help increase metabolic rate. The body becomes more efficient at burning calories, using up fat deposits, and reducing your overall weight. Coffee, one popular source of caffeine, is popular for intermittent fasting practitioners because the beverage reduces hunger pangs and your overall appetite.
Drinking coffee is a great way to get caffeine into the body. However, you can take caffeine pills if it’s the more convenient option.
Vitamin D
Over the years, medical science has established a link between Vitamin D deficiency and obesity. The less of the nutrient you have, the more likely you’re overweight. Theories abound for these connections, but many researchers believe that Vitamin D affects how the body creates fat cells. Lifestyle may also be at play, since less active people usually don’t get enough sunshine, resulting in lower Vitamin D levels.
To get the required daily amount of Vitamin D, you can take supplements containing it. Sun exposure of up to 30 minutes a day can also help you reach the right nutrient levels.
Vitamin B
The Vitamin B group has also been shown to have some weight loss benefits. Nutrients like riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin all help optimize metabolism. In addition, these compounds make it easier for the body to process carbs and fats. In short, the Vitamin B group helps the body turn food into energy more efficiently.
Vitamin B complex supplements usually have all the Vitamin B nutrients you need. However, be sure to take only the appropriate dosages since excess Vitamin B may result in weight gain.
Vitamin C
Most of us know Vitamin C as something that boosts our immune system and increases the production of collagen. However, this nutrient can also affect how the body loses fat. People with healthy levels of Vitamin C are more efficient at burning calories than those without. In fact, people with Vitamin C deficiency are more resistant to fat loss even while doing intense exercises.
Plenty of Vitamin C supplements exist on the market. However, you can get natural Vitamin C from eating citrus fruits, fresh vegetables, and some root crops.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that we don’t often associate with weight loss. However, this nutrient is key to optimizing how the body processes sugar or glucose in the body. People with low levels of magnesium are more likely to store higher amounts of calories since they can’t be processed properly.
To increase the amount of magnesium in the body, you can take magnesium tablets or multivitamin pills containing the mineral. Whole grains and legumes are also great sources of the nutrient.
Final Thoughts
Every weight loss journey is different, so you don’t have to take all the supplements mentioned above to see results. Consult with your doctor or dietitian, and learn which of these products will help maximize your efforts. You should also remember that weight loss supplements are not the only solution for fat loss. Exercise and a balanced diet are also essential. For more information about natural supplements for weight loss, visit our website.
