If you’re looking to lose weight, we’ve compiled a list of 7 medically proven weight loss supplements that work. As summer is already here, if you slacked off throughout the spring when it came to getting your body beach-ready, you might be interested in taking some supplements to help you get in shape faster. In addition, getting rid of that extra fat will help you stay cooler on hot summer days, and it goes without saying that it will help you feel more confident, have more energy, and provide you with a positive mindset.
However, it should be pointed out that unless a person is struggling with obesity and can’t lose weight due to one or more medical conditions, in which case some prescription drugs might be required, there is no supplement that will boost weight loss without effort and commitment. In any case, a good diet as well as regular exercise is the best way to go, but the supplements that we included in this article will not only provide you with some help with your dieting, such as curbing appetite, but will also have a psychological effect. That is, taking supplements will help you think about your goal of losing weight and help you stay focused on it.
Khosro/Shutterstock.com
Generally speaking, when it comes to weight loss, the most important part is a good diet. Some will even say that diet makes up 90% of one’s weight loss efforts, with the other 10% being allocated to exercising. The ratio can be different for everyone, but dieting is always the most important part. That’s because once a person starts exercising regularly, the body adjusts to the changes and keeps burning the same amount of calories, no matter how hard you exercise. This is why many personal trainers suggest swapping exercises after certain time periods. Nevertheless, it’s also very important to significantly reduce calorie intake so the body taps into its own reserves for energy, which will result in weight loss. Exercising will help with keeping a diet, because it will discipline you and help you stay away from junk food, because after sweating in the gym for an hour, you will think twice about whether you want to waste all of that hard work by having pizza for dinner.
Now, when it comes to supplements, things can get tricky. The main problem is that most weight loss supplements aren’t strictly regulated, which often results in a lot of unfounded claims made by manufacturers. The weight loss market is worth over $170 billion and is expected to top $200 billion in the next couple of years, and while weight loss supplements represent only a small fraction of that, many companies still want to get a slice of the pie. This results in dozens (if not hundreds) of supplements, most of which have little to no evidence suggesting that they work. Among the products that help people lose weight and have some research that proves it are diet pills, most of which require a prescription and can have some serious side effects. You can take a look at our list of the 7 most popular diet pills that work fast without exercise for examples of those.
There are also some over-the-counter supplements, whose weight-loss properties are backed by research. With this in mind, let’s take a look at 7 medically proven weight loss supplements that work, beginning on the next page.
7. Orlistat
Let’s start with Orlistat, which is actually a diet pill. It also comes under the name Alli and is sold over-the-counter by GlaxoSmithKline PLC (ADR) (NYSE:GSK). There is also a stronger version that is available through a prescription under the name Xenical. Many studies have shown that Orlistat can boost weight loss in comparison to a placebo. It works by reducing the absorption of fat by the body, which results in less fat being stored. Orlistat has some unpleasant digestive side effects like oily stools, so a low-fat diet is recommended in order to minimize them.
Pixabay/Public Domain
Follow Glaxosmithkline Plc (NYSE:GSK)
Follow Glaxosmithkline Plc (NYSE:GSK)
[/company-follow-email
6. Resveratrol
Resveratrol was first hailed as an anti-aging supplement, with other early research also suggesting that it could limit the spread of cancer, and prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Resveratrol is usually made from an Asian plant called Polygonum cuspidatum, but can also be extracted from red grapes or red wine. The substance is a phenol, which function as antioxidants. The weight loss effect of Resveratrol was demonstrated in a couple of studies on humans and primates, showing that it can act as a metabolism booster, but there are also some scientists that take the effectiveness of Resveratrol with a grain of salt.
Pixabay/Public Domain
5. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA is a type of fatty acid that is found primarily in dairy and beef, but is also available as a supplement. CLA has been shown to help to reduce appetite, boost metabolism and aid in the breakdown of body fat. There have been many studies done to test the effectiveness of CLA, and while studies on animals have provided mostly positive results, studies on humans have been mixed.
Pixabay/Public Domain
4. Glucomannan
At the mid-point of our list of 7 medically proven weight loss supplements that work is Glucomannan, a type of fiber that is made from an Asian plant called Konjac, which is also the source of Japanese Shirataki noodles. The main benefit of Glucomannan is that once it reaches the stomach, it absorbs water and “stays there”, which gives you a feeling of fullness and helps you eat fewer calories. Glucomannan has to be taken with a glass of water before meals and studies have consistently shown that in combination with a healthy diet, it can help people lose up to 10 pounds of weight in five weeks. Among the negative side effects are bloating and flatulence, but it also has additional positive side effects such as lower blood sugar and cholesterol.
Copyright: delcreations / 123RF Stock Photo
3. Caffeine
Enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning not only wakes you up, is also helps with weight loss. Studies have shown that caffeine acts as a metabolism booster and can increase fat burning by up to 29%. As a result of these studies, caffeine is often one of the main ingredients in weight loss supplements. However, the results are only short-term, because caffeine is addictive and the body can develop a tolerance towards it. This is why it is advised to take some caffeine-free days every couple of weeks. Another advantage of caffeine is that there’s no need to buy a special supplement or pill; you can instead stick to good coffee, green tea, or dark chocolate, which also contain antioxidants.
Shaiith/Shutterstock.com
2. Green Tea Extract
Green Tea Extract is another popular ingredient commonly found in over-the-counter weight loss supplements. According to research, green tea extract is rich in antioxidants, the main of which is EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate). EGCG is proven to help fat burning through increasing the activity of the norepinephrine hormone. Green tea extract doesn’t have any side effects, but it does contain some caffeine. Aside from being included as an ingredient in weight loss pills, green tea extract is also available as a standalone supplement in capsules or powder form, but drinking green tea can have similar effects.
Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com
1. Whey Protein
While Whey Protein is a must-have product in the cupboard of every gym rat, it can also help with weight loss for those who aren’t so committed to building muscle. Whey protein, which is made from milk, helps you lose weight through appetite suppression. However, taken in combination with exercise, it helps build muscle due to its high levels of amino-acids. In turn, more muscle also helps with weight loss, because muscle mass requires more calories even while at rest than body fat.
Copyright: seralexvi / 123RF Stock Photo
These are just seven medically proven weight loss supplements that work and there are probably others. Many of the products presented in this article can be obtained through regular food and don’t necessarily require buying a special supplement, although doing so might be more effective. However, no matter how good the supplement is, its effectiveness is limited by the person’s diet and commitment to losing weight.
Disclosure: None
