One thing is for sure, you cannot achieve a significant weight loss without an adequate plan, dedication, time, and effort. This will include making specific lifestyle changes that will be mostly focused on bettering your diet and increasing your physical activity. In this way, you will prevent the weight from coming back and other health-related issues.
It is important to set a realistic goal and take into account that your shape and body size depends on numerous factors, including genetics, eating pattern, exercise, and resting energy expenditure, among other things.
In addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, you should also know that there are weight loss supplements that can help you achieve your weight goals faster and easier.
- Do you need/want to lose weight fast?
- Do you want to enhance your weight loss results with supplements?
- Do you want to learn more about healthy weight loss supplementation?
If the answer to the aforementioned questions is a yes, you should definitely stick around because we will present the 11 most effective weight loss supplements currently. They will help you be a step closer to your desired weight and the slimmer figure you have been dreaming about!
12 Best Weight Loss Supplements for Losing Weight
1. Pill supplements
A quality weight loss pill is made with one or more active ingredients that are capable of encouraging weight loss. They do this by speeding up the burning of fat, decreasing the appetite or minimizing the fat absorption in the body.
When it comes to weight loss pills, it is vital to note that not all of the pills found on the market are created in the same way. Regardless of how they are presented in the media, every dieter should know that will not help you achieve the desired weight results if you do not follow a healthy diet and if you are not physically active. They need to be taken in combination with appropriate lifestyle changes to actually work!
Pills are convenient, practical, and easy for consumption. Most of them are odorless and tasteless and ensure proper absorption. However, a lot of the prescribed weight loss meds are stimulants so they are recommended for a short-term usage only. For extremely obese individuals, they cannot offer too much help as these individuals may need to lower their weight over a period of months and years. Let us learn more about the different types of weight loss pills available:
- Fat-trappers- in most cases, they contain chitosan which is made from powdered shrimp, crab, and other shellfish shells. They bind to the fat in the foods one eats and prevent their digestion.
- Fat-burners- these pills are a mixture of herb stimulants (for example, caffeine and guarana), essential fatty acids, pyruvate, chromium picolinate, and hydroxycitric acid. They are used to elevate the energy while encouraging the burning of fat.
2. Powder supplements
Do you think that protein powder is something that only gym “addicts” use to gain muscles? If yes, you are maybe missing out on a powerful method to lose weight. Namely, protein is essential in the weight loss process as it helps maintain the satiety and satisfaction so that we can get to the next meal without too many in-between snacks. It is also great for keeping a good muscle mass, which is pivotal for the afterburn effect.
Do not worry if you are already getting enough protein from food- you can only benefit for additional boost. Feel free to add a scoop of protein powder to meals or snacks, especially if they do not contain enough protein, for the ideal balance.
However, with so many types of protein powder sold on the market, it can become a bit overwhelming when it is time to decide which one to buy. Here is what you need to look for in a protein powder supplement so that it can be beneficial for you:
- To lose weight, opt for protein powder free of sugar and starch sweeteners
- Avoid protein powder with added branched-chain amino acids (they can encourage weight gain and muscle growth)
- If you are a vegan or vegetarian, avoid the protein powders that contain milk- choose plant protein powder
- If you have problems with the blood sugar levels or if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, opt for protein powder free of added sugar and low on carbs (less than 5 grams per serving)
- To avoid spending too much, opt for protein powder tubs rather than ready-to-drink shakes (they are more expensive)
- To recover from a workout, consume protein within an hour after the exercising
- To keep your weight under control, consume protein powder regularly, during meals and snacks, for full satiety
3. Vitamins
Weight loss supplements in the form of vitamins can be of aid for dieters. Taking vitamins in supplements can be useful in helping the body work optimally and lose weight. However, it is important to note that a well-balanced diet plan is the best way to supply your body with the daily need for vitamins and minerals.
In case you are following a limited diet, it can be beneficial to add some quality and safe vitamin supplements that will keep the weight loss going. Below, check out the list with the best vitamins for weight loss:
- B12
- Folate
- Biotin
- B6
- Vitamin D
4. Herbs
Healthy herbs and spices can be an excellent way to boost the flavor of food without increasing the amount of sugar, sodium, and calories (things that should be avoided if we want to lose weight!). If we enjoy the taste and flavor of the foods we eat, it will become much easier for us to stick to a specific menu.
Herbs are known to enhance the metabolism and thus, help the body burn more fat. But, some herbs are more potent than others when it comes to weight loss. Check out our optimal choices for best weight loss herbs:
- Turmeric
- Cayenne pepper
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Ginger
- Black pepper
- Cardamom
5. Natural supplements
Natural or herbal supplements come from plant sources and are considered to be of aid for weight loss. Also known as botanicals or phytomedicines, many dieters are using these weight loss supplements to enhance their weight loss results.
But, as there are not enough regulations regarding their production, it is pivotal to make a good research first and buy from recognized and trusted brands only. Below, you can read a list with the most commonly used and the most effective natural supplements today:
- Green tea extract
- Garcinia Cambogia
- Chitosan
- Glucomannan
- Raspberry ketone
- Bitter orange
- Forskolin
6. Weight loss supplements for women
Female dieters should know that supplements may become an essential part of the diet plan (alongside physical activity) and a useful method to ensure weight loss and a healthier body and mind.
Women can incorporate several supplements that will help them reach their target and shape their body, but also elevate their energy levels, boost the overall health, and strengthen the health and look of the skin, hair, and nails. Check the list below to see the most necessary weight loss supplements for women:
- Protein supplements
- Protein shakes
- BCAAs
- Caffeine
- L-Carnitine
- Chlorogenic acid
- Polyphenols
- Multivitamins and minerals
7. Weight loss supplements for men
If you are not particularly satisfied with the results you get from your diet and nutrition, it may be time to try an adequate weight loss supplement that will help you lose weight, but also tone your muscles.
Even though you may be skeptical about what a powder or a pill could do for your weight loss goals, there is a long list of quality supplements that may give you the necessary boost you have been looking for. Below, check out the most important things that you need to take into account before you make a purchase:
- Buy weight loss supplements from recognizable and trusted brands with a good reputation
- Good weight loss supplements should contain a quality stimulant- an ingredient that boosts the metabolism and suppresses the metabolism. This will help you burn calories and fat better; for example, caffeine
- Opt for products whose ingredients can trigger thermogenesis- a metabolic process which aids the body to burn surplus calories through heat production
- Read the labels and follow the instructions regarding the amount and dosage you should take; otherwise, you may not achieve the desired results and this may also cause medical issues
8. Meal replacement shakes
Meal replacement shakes are designed with the goal to supply you with the nutrition that a full meal can. You can find them in cans or bottles and they usually come in powdery form. You can combine them with water or milk. Most of these meal shakes have 200 to 400 calories and are also rich in fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins.
They allow you to have a low-calorie and healthy meal on the go. Also, dieters love them because of their easy portability and convenience. They may be of help in reducing the temptation to reach for unhealthy junk or processed foods when you do not have the time to prepare a healthy meal. Remember, a quality shake will include the above-mentioned nutrients, as well as some other important ones like potassium, iron, and calcium.
This is how meal replacement shakes aid your weight loss efforts:
- Boost your satiety while you eat fewer calories
- Meal replacement shakes can enhance the loss of weight in diabetics
- Shakes may help you maintain your weight after you loss the wanted amount
- Some shakes are rich in protein- a pivotal nutrient for the satiety and the low calorie intake
- Protein has also been linked to leaner body mass and low body fat
9. Vegan weight loss supplements
Even though a lot of people tend to lose weight when they go vegan, for a lot of vegans, the expected weight loss does not necessarily happen. This could be a result of numerous contributing factors, including eating big portions, lack of protein, improper meal timing, and eating a lot of plant-based, but unhealthy food. So, they may need additional efforts to lose surplus weight and reduce body fat.
In addition to a healthy plant-based diet and exercise, many vegans may want to try out a weight loss supplement. But, they want to make sure the supplements they choose contain no animal ingredients and do not include animals during the production process, which is not always the case with all supplements. If you are a vegan, here is what the weight supplement you choose should not contain:
- Gelatin
- Lanolin
- Magnesium stearate
- Carmine
- Bee pollen
- Caprylic acid
- Lipase
10. Protein supplements
Besides helping you build muscles and gain more strength, protein supplements have long been used by dieters. They come in powder form and are a tasty and easy way to elevate the consumption of protein and manage your hunger. They can be plant-based or dairy protein sources with other ingredients that contribute to loss of weight.
They may be the missing link to your wanted weight loss results. These are the optimal protein powders for weight loss:
- Whey protein
- Soy protein
- Casein protein
- Fiber-fortified protein
- Pea protein
- Egg white protein
- Coffee-flavoured protein
11. Dangerous supplements
Since supplements are not considered as medications, they do not go through the strict safety and effectiveness requirements that meds do. This being said, all of the meds we are buying, with or without prescription, need to be proven effective and safe. However, this is not the case with supplements. And, until they are proven unsafe, supplements are considered safe.
Be that as it may, here are the weight loss supplements you should stay away from to avoid potential complications:
- Diuretics or water pills
- Waist trainers
- Sauna suits
- HCG diet products
- Tongue patch
- Colon cleanses
- B12 injections
Final Thoughts
Although experts recommend healthy diet and regular exercise as the two most important elements of every weight loss plan, for a lot of people, this does not help them achieve the wanted results. This is when a lot of dieters turn to weight loss supplements.
However, because of the abundance of these products on the market and a lot of poor quality ones, one may end up being overwhelmed and indecisive when it comes to choosing the right supplement.
With this in mind, we tackled the major types of weight loss supplements available out there and their benefits. Most of them, regardless of whether they come in powder or pill form, provide the best results when combined with a healthy diet and physical activity. And, it is highly recommendable that you consult your physician for advice on the best supplement for you.
Last but not least, some of these supplements, especially the over-the-counter ones, come with side effects, so this is yet another aspect to take into account.
Reference sites:
- https://www.verywellfit.com/herbal-supplements-for-weight-loss-3495269
- https://www.luxefitness.com/blogs/diet/womens-weight-loss-supplements
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/features/truth-about-weight-loss-pills#1
- https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19944313/weight-loss-protein-powders/
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-tips-choosing-best-protein-powder/
- https://www.uhs.umich.edu/weightreduction
- https://www.health.com/how-to-lose-weight-vegan
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/meal-replacement-shakes
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-protein-powders-for-weight-loss#section1
- https://www.redbookmag.com/body/health-fitness/g3221/worst-weight-loss-products/