Every day, millions of people around the world turn to weight loss supplements in the hope of losing those extra pounds that they just can’t seem to shed. From tablets and plant extracts to shakes and tonics, there are literally thousands of weight loss supplements out there – and unfortunately, many of them leave consumers disappointed. In this article, we’ll take a look at six weight loss supplements that do what they promise: help you get into shape as part of a healthy diet and eating plan. Let’s get started.
1. Raspberry Ketones
Raspberries are a popular summer fruit and you won’t have to look far to find raspberry-flavored products at your local grocery store – but have you heard about raspberry ketones?
Ketones are naturally occurring substances found in raspberries, cranberries and blackberries that give these fruits their distinctive tangy flavor. It turns out ketones do more than cleanse the palate, as scientists are discovering more evidence that they could help us keep off the extra pounds. Raspberry ketones can help you to lose weight fast by boosting your metabolism, without the jittery side-effects of other weight loss supplements that are loaded with caffeine. For best results, you’ll want to take a raspberry ketone extract that will provide you with a good dose of this fat-burning superfood.
2. Whey Protein
If you’ve ever been to a bodybuilding supply store or had a look at the health food section of most grocery stores, you’ve probably seen giant containers of whey protein with pictures of muscle-bound athletes on the labels. While many gym enthusiasts swear by whey protein to build muscle, those of us who are trying to lose weight may be worried that taking this supplement will cause us to bulk up – but it’s simply not true.
As long as you take pure whey protein (or a whey protein formula that’s designed to help with weight loss), you should find yourself gaining muscle and burning fat – as long as you hit the gym a few times a week. What you’ll want to avoid is the type of whey protein that’s designed for weight lifters who want to add bulk – look out for words like “mega gain” or “bulk up” on the label and choose a slimming formula instead.
3. HCA
Also known by its full name – Hydroxycitrate – HCA is a weight loss supplement that’s extracted from the rind of exotic citrus fruit including brindle berry that grows naturally in Southeast Asia. The fruit of plants containing HCA has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine to treat swollen joints and stomach problems – and if your stomach could be flatter, HCA supplements may be just the thing you need.
Studies have found that HCA can help to lower cholesterol, block fat absorption from the food we eat, and optimize the body’s metabolism to lose weight. With these powerful effects, you’ll soon lose the weight you’ve been wanting to without having to take lipid controlling drugs with their list of side-effects.
4. Beta Glucan
Dietary fiber has become extremely popular as a weight loss and cholesterol-lowering supplement, and one of the most effective types of fiber is Beta Glucan. Found naturally in yeast, mushrooms and algae – which contain very little sugar and are good for digestive health – Beta Glucan will help to keep your digestion regular, clean your arteries and lower your cholesterol level over time.
Soluble fiber removes bile acids from the digestive system, triggering a chain reaction that lowers levels of LDL or bad cholesterol. The liver uses LDL to produce bile acid, which is removed by soluble fiber sources including Beta Glucan. The more bile acids you remove, the more LDL the body “spends” replacing it – and eventually, your LDL levels will begin to fall.
It’s best to combine Beta Glucan with other forms of dietary fiber, including oatmeal, bananas, and fiber-rich organic breakfast cereals. Taken together, these foods are a powerful tool in the battle against high cholesterol and cardiovascular illness.
5. Glucomannan
Glucomannan is a natural compound that occurs in nature in the Asian Konjak plant. This food is eaten in jelly and noodle form in Japan, South Korea and other East Asian countries that are known for their excellent longevity and low obesity levels. Used for centuries in Asian cuisine, Glucomannan is making its way to Western health food stores in supplement form as a powerful weight-loss tool.
Once ingested, Glucomannan absorbs water in the digestive system and blocks the body’s ability to absorb fat and cholesterol. This process will protect you from the excess fats found in many foods that we consume as part of the modern diet, helping you lose weight and lower your LDL levels to prevent heart disease later in life.
6. Mango Seed Fiber
The last supplement on our list is a newcomer to the world of weight loss supplements – but it has been used in Africa for generations. Traditional African communities have eaten the fibrous mango seed for hundreds (if not thousands) of years as a remedy for stomach ailments and to prevent obesity. Like Beta Glucan, this supplement is packed with fiber that lowers cholesterol, promotes digestive health and may help to prevent cancers of the digestive system – including colon cancer.
While eating mango seeds may not appeal to American consumers, the mango seed extracts that are available at health food stores are easy to take on a daily basis. As further studies are done on the effectiveness of mango seed as a weight loss supplement, this supplement is set to become more popular with health-conscious consumers.
Conclusion
Weight loss is a goal that millions of us set for ourselves each year. If you’re tired of trying new supplements, only to be disappointed when you weight doesn’t budge an inch or even increases, try some of the supplements on our list and you’ll be pleased with the results.
Remember that no supplement can make up for the wrong diet and exercise choices. You’ll need to combine supplements with a calorie-controlled, balanced diet and regular exercise to achieve your weight loss goals – and now that you’re ready, the best time to start is right now.