Best Supplements For Weight Loss
Being overweight or obese is one of the leading health epidemics of the modern world. Many factors can bring about obesity, but it is of utmost importance to address the issue as quickly as possible to avoid further health complications. Luckily, there are supplements that can help a lot.
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So why is obesity so bad for our health, and how do supplements aid you in your weight loss journey? Firstly, moderate-severe obesity can lead to serious and even life threatening conditions, such as diabetes, heart attacks, difficulty walking or functioning independently. It can also make daily life a struggle, such as riding in your car or public transportation and finding clothes that fit you. There are many other weight loss aids and solutions out there, such as drugs, but they are notoriously risky and come with a slew of very undesirable side effects.
Important Info Regarding Weight Loss Supplements
Supplements, however, taken together with a suitable weight loss program/plan, can help you lose weight in a much safer, healthier, more gradual way.
These supplements achieve this important health goal differently, depending on the particular supplement. Some reduce your hunger pangs and cravings, thus causing you to eat less. Others help you burn more calories or fat than usual per day, or help to significantly reduce the fat and calorie absorption from each meal.
Meratrim
Meratrim is one of the new kids on the block in the diet pill market, yet it has already been showing great promise in the battle towards weight loss.
It’s a combination of two plant extracts — Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana — that work together to change the metabolism of fat cells.
It claims to make it harder for fat cells to multiply, decrease the amount of fat they pick up from the bloodstream, and help them burn stored fat.
Because it’s a fairly new weight loss aid supplement, very few studies about Meratrim currently exist. However, one study involving 60 people with obesity were placed on a strict diet of 2,000-calories per day and increased physical activity, along with either Meratrim or a placebo. After just 8 weeks, the Meratrim group had lost about 11 pounds (5.2 kg) and got rid of 4.7 inches (11.9 cm) from their waistlines, which is pretty impressive. Another study suggested that Meratrim also has long lasting effects on appetite suppression.
Glucomannan
Glucomannan is a type of fiber found in the roots of the elephant yam, also known as konjac. Glucomannan absorbs water and becomes gel-like. It “sits” in your gut and promotes a feeling of fullness, helping you eat fewer calories. One clinical trial showed that taking glucomannan for 60 days could lower body weight among participants who were overweight, but only if they were consistently taking the supplement.
Glucomannan is a fiber that can feed the friendly bacteria in the intestine. It can also lower blood sugar, blood cholesterol, and triglycerides, and works effectively against constipation as well.
Note of caution – Only take glucomannan about half an hour before meals, and don’t forget to drink a good amount of water with it.
Green Coffee Bean Extract
If you don’t have any allergies or sensitivities to caffeine, then this supplement would make a great option to try. Basically, green coffee beans are coffee beans that haven’t been roasted. They consist of two substances that have been shown to help with weight loss: caffeine and chlorogenic acid. Caffeine can increase the amount of fat that gets burned, and chlorogenic acid can slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive system.
A meta-analysis of all the current randomized control trials on green coffee bean extract’s effect on obesity found that the supplement has a significant impact on minimizing body mass index (BMI). Additionally, green coffee bean extract may also help lower blood sugar levels and reduce blood pressure. Plus, it is also high in antioxidants. So it’s a win-win in every respect.
Green Tea Extract
If your body can’t tolerate high levels of caffeine, mild green tea can be a good alternative. Green tea extract is another popular and fairly effective ingredient in many weight loss supplements. This is because numerous studies have shown that the main antioxidant it contains, EGCG, may aid in fat burning. Green tea extract is believed to tackle enzymes such as pancreatic lipase. Combined with reduced fat absorption, this can be an effective way to treat obesity.
Many human studies have shown that green tea extract, when paired with exercise, can increase fat burning and cause fat loss, especially in the belly area.
Better yet, Green tea extract has some additional health qualities and is generally well tolerated by most. It does contain some caffeine, but it is mild compared to coffee.
Garcinia Cambogia Extract
The Garcinia cambogia supplement became a popular success worldwide after being featured on “The Dr. Oz Show” back in 2012. It’s a small, green fruit shaped like a pumpkin. The fruit’s skin contains hydroxycitric acid, which is the active ingredient in garcinia cambogia extract, and is widely marketed as a diet pill on its own. Animal based studies have shown that it can hinder a fat-producing enzyme in the body and increase serotonin levels, potentially helping to reduce food cravings.
In one meta-analysis, researchers found and concluded that, on average, garcinia achieved weight loss of about 3 pounds (1.34 kg). Hence, due to the very modest figure, this supplement is mostly recommended to those who are only mildly overweight, as it won’t really benefit very overweight or obese individuals.
Final Thoughts
While they are generally considered safe and effective for most individuals, you should be aware that some supplements may cause a number of side effects, or contain ingredients that are harmful to you. So before you start taking a weight loss supplement, be sure to consult with your doctor or certified dietician first.
