Weight Loss Supplements

Quick Weight Loss Supplements Summary Points

• There are a variety of weight loss supplements around including fat loss proteins, fat burners, fat metabolisers, carb blockers, ladies fat loss supplements, diuretics and appetite suppressants.
• Each supplement will have their pros and cons, and some people might find they need more than one.
• Fat burners and fat loss protein powders are two of the most popular categories and also the most versatile in its action.
• To pick the best supplement/s for you, it's best to consult with your supplement specialists, as it will depend on a variety of factors.

Weight Loss Supplements

Whether it’s to look good at the beach, to attract the opposite sex or just to improve your health, weight and fat loss is the one of the top goals that people have when it comes to their health and wellbeing. The others being to ‘gain muscle’ and to ‘get fit’. But as anyone who has ever tried to lose weight and fat will tell you, it’s hard work….really hard work. Which is why it’s handy to take into consideration some of the nutritional and sporting supplements out there that can help you lose weight faster and keep it off for longer.

Weight Loss Supplement Options

When it comes to weight loss supplements, there are a variety of options and each will suit a different type of person and different type of goal. Find more information about each category below to help you make the best choice when choosing your next weight and fat loss supplement. Generally, fat loss supplements fit into a couple of broad categories including:

• Fat Loss Proteins
• Fat Burners
• Fat Metabolisers
• Carb Blockers
• Ladies Fat Loss
• Diuretics
• Appetite Suppressants

Fat Loss Proteins

Fat loss proteins are basically a range of protein powders which contain several ingredients which can aid in weight loss and fat loss. Protein is essential during fat loss in order to help you conserve your lean muscle mass, which is important because your muscles are what controls your metabolism. More muscles means a higher metabolism and more energy burned throughout the day. Fat loss proteins tend to contain smaller amounts of the fat loss ingredients than other more specific fat and weight loss supplements. But, as it is recommended you take 2-3 protein shakes per day, this helps to increase the amount of fat loss ingredients you’re getting.

Pros – Provides plenty of protein for muscle building and maintenance
Cons – Not enough per serve of fat loss ingredients so would need 2-3 serves
Target – Active people and those who train regularly

Fat Burners

Fat burners are perhaps the most popular weight and fat loss supplements on the market. Combining a range of ingredients to help increase thermogenesis (increased body heat), boost fat burning and to block carbs, these supplements are the top-shelf products, which are almost all the time guaranteed to help shift fat and weight regardless of your lifestyle or body type. Most, if not all of them will contain caffeine or another stimulant which has been shown to boost not only fat burning but also your metabolism so that you’ll be increasing the amount of energy you’re burning off throughout the day. Best taken before meals, it is important to usually start at the lowest dose to test your tolerance to the product.

Pros – Suitable for almost every type of body, lifestyle and activity levels
Cons – Strong products so it is important to start at the lowest dose
Target – Busy people or people who just want results

Fat Metabolisers

Fat metabolisers are specialised supplements aimed at helping to boost your body’s ability to either burn fat or to decrease your absorption of the fat from your daily diet. Both mechanisms will help to decrease the amount of fat stored in your body. Fat metaboliser substances can be used in conjunction with fat burners, but it’s important to know that most fat burners will also contain fat metabolisers, which in excess can be troublesome. Increased consumption of fat metabolising ingredients can mean you absorb less fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin’s A, D, E and K. Unabsorbed fat can also make unpleasantly smelling toilet trips. To minimise this, ensure that you keep the fat metabolising supplement intake to meals with the highest amount of fat. These are also great supplements for those who don’t want or like the effects of stimulants. For the best fat metabolisers, make sure your product contains at least one of these ingredients:

• L-carnitine
• Inositol
• Methionine
• Choline
• Acetyl-l-carnitine
• 7-Keto

Pros – Helps decrease the amount of fat stored in your body
Cons – Excess consumption can mean less vitamins absorbed and smelly toilet trips
Target – People who eat out a lot

Carb Blockers

Carb Blockers used to be quite popular as weight loss supplements but have become less so due to the fact that no one seems to be eating carbs anymore! Only a select handful of ingredients seem to be able to block carbohydrate digestion and absorption, the most potent of which is white kidney bean extract or phaseolus vulgaris. Carb blockers are great for those who tend to like eating their carbs but who don’t want any excess to be stored as fat. Another great supplement to take if you don’t want or like stimulants, it is still important to keep carb blocker use to the recommended level, as excess consumption may mean decreased absorption of important nutrients and even lower energy levels.

Pros – Decrease the amount of carbs getting turned into fat
Cons – Excess consumption can mean lower energy levels
Target – People who like their carbs

Ladies Fat Loss 

Ladies fat loss products consist of the entire range of fat and weight loss supplements but often with added minerals and vitamins important for women’s health such as folate and iron. During times of weight and fat loss, intakes of these vital vitamins, minerals and nutrients are often lower than normal due to restricted calorie intake. As such, it is important to boost levels of these either through a women’s multi or added in through other supplements you might be taking to ensure optimum health. Remember though, the best way to boost your levels of these vital nutrients is through food and not supplements.

Pros – Boost fat loss and ensure optimal women’s health
Cons – Some companies might use less ingredients such as stimulants as tolerance differs between sexes.
Target – Women

Diuretics

Diuretics are special supplements aimed at helping to reduce water retention, water weight and bloating. Usually in tablet form, they help to increase urine output so that your body becomes leaner and more tight. Best used to strip the last couple of kilograms off or before a big event such as a bodybuilding competition, a wedding or even just a beach day to help you look trim and taut. Diuretics are not meant to be taken long term and it is still important to stay hydrated whilst on diuretics.

Pros – Generally helps shed weight fast within 3-7 days.
Cons – May decrease energy levels slightly due to faster excretion of B vitamins. Always try to take a multi with diuretics.
Target – People who tend to hold water or often feel bloated

Appetite Suppressants

Appetite suppressant supplements are exactly that, they help to suppress your appetite so that you don’t feel the need to eat as often of as much. Often, we tend to eat too much because we’re hungry and then regret it afterwards. With appetite suppressants, you can control your eating to aid in your weight and fat loss journey. Best cycled, that is, used for a period of time before stopping for a short while, appetite suppressants are a great range of supplements to combine with any of the above supplements.

Pros – Helps decrease your appetite so that you don’t feel the need to eat as much
Cons – Not great for active people as less food means less energy
Target – Sedentary individuals

Weight Loss Supplements - Picking The Right One

As you can see, there’s no shortage of weight loss supplements out on the market today. While it may seem daunting at first trying to figure out which supplement to buy, this article should help to clarify things to help you make the best choice to help you lose that weight. For more information on fat loss ingredients you might like to read our 3 part series on specific fat loss ingredients used in supplements today. (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)