For those seeking to lose weight, the right dietary supplement could contribute to a proper, holistic approach to your weight-loss endeavor. To help get to the bottom of that search, we take a look at the role dietary supplements can play in weight loss, and discuss five of the best products for doing so.
How Can Supplements Fit into Your Weight-Loss Program?
A good portion of the population is both overweight and health-conscientious enough to desire to shed that excess weight. In fact, two-thirds of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. For those seeking to shed excess weight, a holistic approach made up of various lifestyle changes is necessary to do it effectively, and healthily.
The lifestyle formula for long-term weight loss includes a combination of healthy eating, reduced caloric intake, and regular physical activity. All of these are intuitive, natural means to shed fat and keep it off in the first place. Nutrition is crucial to losing weight, and that’s where dietary supplements can come into play. Around 15% of American adults have consumed a weight-loss supplement at some point in their lives.
There is debate over whether weight-loss supplements are effective. As a result, it is important to consider the particular ingredients contained in supplements that are recommended for weight loss. A credible weight-loss supplement is one that has scientific evidence backing its effectiveness.
Supplements to Help You Burn Fat
Certain dietary supplements can help the body burn fat, and thereby contribute to weight loss. Here are some of the best supplements, scientifically evidenced to help contribute to losing pounds in a heathy manner:
Green coffee bean extract is a unique supplement made from the unripe fruit that encases coffee beans. It helps to shed excess fat in more ways than one. First, the chlorogenic acid contained in green coffee bean extract helps the body to release stored fat. It also helps to reduce the absorption of carbohydrates, so that they’re more efficiently burned during exercise. Green coffee bean extract also reduces the release of insulin, which helps to manage blood sugar levels. A green coffee bean extract that’s standardized to 50% chlorogenic acid is ideal.
Garcinia cambogia has been studied and shown to help reduce the accumulation of belly fat in people who are overweight. It does so by reducing the amount of fats contained in blood, and also reduces the production of new fatty acids. By reducing blood triglycerides, as well as cholesterol, garcinia cambogia can also have a meaningful effect in reducing the long-term risk of disease.
Glucomannan is a natural dietary fiber made from the konjac plant. Some studies have shown that supplementing with glucomannan could support weight loss, by reducing the fat your body absorbs from the foods you consume.
Green tea extract is a concentrated form of green tea which can help the body burn fat more quickly, by increasing the mechanism known as thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is a bodily process wherein calories are burned to produce heat. Two chemicals in green tea extract contribute to this fat-burning mechanism: caffeine and a polyphenol known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Studies show that green tea extract can meaningfully contribute to fat burning, especially when taken alongside another source of caffeine.
7-keto DHEA is a compound found naturally in the body, and it is available as a dietary supplement. Some small studies show that taking 7-keto DHEA, along with engaging in moderate exercise and maintaining a reduced-calorie diet, contributed to weight loss. 7-keto DHEA is helpful because it boosts the metabolism, increasing calorie usage throughout the day.
Shedding excess fat requires a holistic approach, beginning with the right lifestyle choices. The dietary supplements above could each provide help in this process, but they are not a replacement for healthy eating and physical activity. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking one of these supplements for the first time.