8 best natural supplements for weight loss

Before we explore which ones are the best natural supplements for weight loss, I would like to tell you a brief story.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to meet and interview a founder of a large supplements company*.

During the interview, I steered the interview towards him telling me in detail the best weight loss supplements as well as the best supplements for muscle building. After all, he was a guru on the subject and in the industry.

Prescription Weight Loss Pills or Natural Weight Loss Supplements?

He quickly went on to list natural supplements for weight loss and gave reasons why those supplements are the best for melting fat. – This list is what I’m about to share with you right now.

However, what struck me as odd was that none of the weight loss supplements he had just mentioned was being sold by his brand, although he quickly threw in a metabolism-boosting product that is manufactured by his company.

I should also state here that the biggest product for this company is a fat burner. I am a trained journalist, so I asked. “Do people really need over-the-counter fat burners nowadays? Because, according to my research, fat burners used to work back in the days when they contained ephedrine as an active ingredient.

However, in 2004, the FDA banned ephedrine as an ingredient in dietary supplements because there was ”little evidence of ephedra’s effectiveness, except for short-term weight loss. The increased risk of heart problems and stroke outweighs any benefits.”

So if this is the case, why should I use fat burners today, to lose weight?

His answer, “you have to understand that any fat burners are there to help you lose weight but they have to be accompanied by a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise.”

I pressed further. “Okay so if I eat in a calorie deficit and exercise regularly I WILL lose weight still, even if I don’t take thermogenic supplements?”

At this point, his demeanor changed. He aggressively explained that his products in the thermogenic range are designed to boost metabolism and help suppress appetite. At this point, he threw in a lot of medical jargon, to confuse me I suppose.

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Needless to say, the interview was cut short. His marketing team, who had prior to this interview, asked for me to write an article on the brand and had also sent me a couple of their products to review, cut all contact with me and my follow-up emails went unanswered.

That’s the brief story. But why did I share this with you?

See, this article is about the best natural supplements for weight loss, and you’re probably here because you are looking for something that will help you lose weight fast.

You might have been expecting to see prescription weight loss pills and fat burners on the list, so I wanted to give you a valid reason why these products aren’t mentioned and why you should probably stay away from them.

~This post may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here

Medically Proven Weight Loss Supplements 

1. Fish Oil

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acid which not only has a plethora of health benefits but can also shed inches off your waistline.

Because the body can’t produce Omega-3 fatty acids, you have to meet the nutritional requirement either by supplementing or eating foods like flaxseeds, fatty fish (cod, salmon, sardines, mackerel, etc.), and nuts.

If your diet consists of lean meats, you may lack omega-3 fatty acids and might need to supplement with these highly recommended omega-3  soft gels.

Fish Oil for Weight Loss

Fish oil will help you lose weight in different ways:

• By Keeping You Full Between Meals

Taking fish oil supplements between meals will help keep your appetite under control. You will feel full for longer periods and snack less in between meals.

• Fish Oil Will Help You Lose Fat

The three types of omega-3 fatty acids, linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid play an important role in the breaking down of fat by inducing fat storage cells to metabolize fat.[1]

This was demonstrated by a Kyoto University research led by Kawada and his team which investigated the effect of fish oil intake on energy metabolism.

The team found that fish oil activates receptors in the digestive tract, and fires the sympathetic nervous system. This process transforms fat-storage cells into fat-burning cells.

“People have said that food from Japan and the Mediterranean regions contributes to longevity, but why it was good was up for debate. Now we have better insight into why that is.” 

2. Probiotics

Gut bacteria play a hand in how the body metabolizes nutrients from food.

Thus, digestive health is crucial not only to the health of one’s immune system but also to the rate at which weight loss is achieved. Supplementing with probiotics will help keep the gut healthy and promote weight loss.

 

A study [2] published in the British Journal of Nutrition by a team of researchers headed by Université Laval Professor Angelo Tremblay, showed that certain probiotics could help women lose weight and keep it off.

Researchers recruited 125 overweight men and women who underwent a 12-week weight-loss diet, followed by a 12-week period aimed at weight loss maintenance.

In the duration of the study, half of the participants took 2 probiotic pills daily while the others were given dummy pills.

After 12 weeks, the group on the probiotic pill containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus, lost an average of 4.4 kg (9.7 pounds), while the placebo group lost an average of 2.6 kg (5.7 pounds).

3.  Vitamin B12

The B complex is made up of 8 vitamins essential for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and protein, maintaining body functions and also assisting with the production of energy- which you will need to lead an active lifestyle and eventually lose weight.

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that can be obtained naturally from foods such as fish, meat, and dairy products. A deficiency in vitamin B12 may result in depression, memory, jaundice, difficulties in maintaining balance, and lack of energy.

When one’s energy levels decrease, the desire to lead an active lifestyle also decreases.  If previously you used to exercise, your motivation to do so will now wane, and to get it back, you would need to supplement your diet with Vitamin B 12.

You can visit your nearest weight loss clinic for a vitamin B 12 shot to speed up weight loss. You can also supplement your diet by taking Vitamin B12 in tablet form.

Another way that B12 effectively works as a weight loss supplement is by assisting with the metabolism of fatty acids and protein. When this process of converting food into energy is disrupted, your body will struggle to break down sugar, and it is this sugar that will be then stored as fat.

4. Pre-workout for weight loss

It is an indisputable fact that it’s not every day that you will feel pumped up to workout. Normal activities usually drain the energy out of us and if you are overweight, it gets even harder to get off the couch and burn extra calories.

There are plenty of sugary energy drinks on the market that promise to boost energy instantly. What they don’t tell you, however, are the health risks such as high blood pressure, tooth erosion, insomnia, and much more, which those drinks cause.

If and when you need a boost of energy to workout, you must try this AminoLean Pre Workout by RSP Nutrition. 

AminoLean has 10,000 great reviews on Amazon and is ranked the best pre-workout for women. Unlike traditional pre-workouts that usually cause adverse side effects, AminoLean has zero side effects, and won’t give you any tingles or jitters. 

 

AminoLean Pre Workout contains a scientifically formulated blend of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), L-Carnitine powder, green tea extract, and green coffee bean. These ingredients combined will not only increase your energy levels before exercise but also promotes natural weight management.

The L-Carnitine in AminoLean helps move more fatty acids into your cells to be burned for energy, which can increase your ability to burn fat and lose or manage weight.

The CLA in AminoLean burns body fat by increasing the amounts of specific enzymes and proteins that are involved in fat breakdown. In addition to CLA and L-Carnitine, AminoLean also contains Green Tea Extract and Green Coffee Extract.

If you look at pre-workouts on the shelves today, you will notice that most of them do NOT contain weight management blends. This, I believe is why every woman that tries AminoLean, can’t stop raving about it. 

It is an all-in-one weight loss supplement that you can take both training and non-training days for energy and focus, pre-workout benefits as well as weight management benefits.

The best time to take the pre-workout is 15-30 minutes before exercise or anytime you want a coffee swap!

Best Natural Supplements for Weight Loss

5. Matcha Green Tea

If you have tried or taken a look at thermogenic fat burners, you will have noticed that one of the active ingredients in almost all of these products, is green tea extract.

Green tea on its own contains a great amount of caffeine as well as an oxidant called catechin.

The combination of the caffeine and antioxidant found in green tea significantly speeds up metabolism and helps with breaking down fat deposits, in a 24-hour period.

Matcha tea is superior to regular green tea because it contains about a hundred times more of the antioxidant, catechin.

Since the weight loss effects work in a short space of time, you will need to drink the tea daily in order to see the benefits.

Although the taste of match is not the greatest to some people, the weight loss and health benefits are simply worth a daily cup (or two) of this amazing green stuff!

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Another one of the best natural supplements for weight loss is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) which also packs plenty of health benefits!

A 12-week study in which the participants were given apple cider vinegar in liquid or pill form, twice daily at mealtimes, found that ACV reduced blood sugar levels in healthy adults.

Vinegar, in this case, works as a weight loss aid by suppressing the build-up of excess sugar which is converted and stored as fat.

Maintaining a normal blood sugar level is key for weight loss. The body uses only a certain amount of energy at a time, and the excess is then stored in the liver to be used later when needed. However, if the sugar levels are too high, then the excess sugar will be stored as fat.

Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss Drink

You should never drink undiluted ACV because the acetic acid found in it can erode the tooth enamel. And according to a study that investigated the dosage of vinegar, the best time to drink apple cider vinegar is during mealtime and not before.

Mix two teaspoons of this organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it before a meal, preferably with a straw.

If the taste of apple cider vinegar drink is unpleasant, you can take the ACV capsules like these ones.

Weight Loss Pills and Supplements Must-Haves

7. Thyroid Support Supplement

Many people often have an underactive thyroid. The thyroid gland is very important in terms of weight loss and boosting metabolic rate.

A thyroid supplement can be highly beneficial to people that have blood sugar issues or are insulin resistant. A thyroid support supplement can help balance blood sugar levels and positively impact weight loss efforts.

8. Meal Replacement Protein Supplement

A protein meal replacement supplement especially this Whey protein by Optimum Nutrition is very effective because it helps reduce sugar cravings and is essential in aiding weight loss. A meal replacement is a good complex, staple everyday supplement that will be beneficial after a workout because protein assists with recovery and muscle repair.

You can either take the supplement after exercise or use it as a meal replacement, almost like a snack in between breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Meal replacement shakes help to reduce cravings because of the amount of fiber they have.

While protein powders and meal replacement shakes are good to use,  people tend to use too much of them. Having 3-4 protein shakes a day is excessive. The overuse of certain supplements is not a good thing and that is where people go wrong as they think more is better, which is always never the case.

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

How to Lose Weight Without Breaking the Bank

30-Day Fat Burning Workout Routines for Beginners

3 Best Ways To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks

4 Lazy Girl Healthy Eating Habits That’ll Help You Lose Weight

*Names of company and person have been withheld.

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 REFERENCES

[1] Kim, M. et al. Fish oil intake induces UCP1 upregulation in brown and white adipose tissue via the sympathetic nervous system. Sci. Rep. 5, 18013; doi: 10.1038/srep18013 (2015)

[2]  Sanchez, M., Darimont, C., Drapeau, V., Emady-Azar, S., Lepage, M., Rezzonico, E., . . . Tremblay, A. (2014). Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 supplementation on weight loss and maintenance in obese men and women. British Journal of Nutrition, 111(8), 1507-1519. doi:10.1017/S0007114513003875