Proven ways to lose weight include monitoring your diet and exercising regularly. But with the hustle and bustles of life, keeping up with such strict regimens is a tall order and hence the inventions of weight loss supplements.
What are weight loss supplements?
Weight loss supplement is a broad term referring to a range of pills, beverages, tablets, and capsules designed to help lose weight with or without the help of workouts and diet regimens.
Most weight loss supplements are science-backed blends of legendary herbal ingredients in moderate amounts. The formulas are usually designed for a multi-action approach. They do not only enhance fat metabolism but also give you the jolt to hit the gym/pool and remain focused during your workouts.
Buyers Guide to weight loss supplements
Depending on the formulation, therefore, not all weight loss supplements are created equal. How then do you choose your weight loss supplement product?
Analyze the ingredients
Always choose formulations that contain clinically proven and science-backed ingredients. Top ingredients to look out for include Green Coffee Bean Extract, Glucomannan, Cayenne Pepper, Green Tea Extract, Garcinia Cambogia, and chromium.
Avoid brands containing ephedra, fenfluramine, and sibutramine. These toxic ingredients have been banned from being used in consumer products.
- Natural vs. synthetic
Based on their ingredients, weight loss formulations fall into either natural or synthetic blends. Natural formulations are less expensive and safer for human consumption. Synthetic blends, on the other hand, while they tend to be more effective than natural formulations, they are costlier and may contain unsafe ingredients.
- What does your doctor say?
Weight loss supplements may produce adverse effects depending on your body chemistry. It is, therefore, wise to check with the doctor first. Doctors are in a good position to help you navigate the weight loss supplements market based on your body condition, weight, and other physiological characteristics.
Examples of best weight loss supplements based on user reviews
Trufix
Trufix is a delicious-tasting formula from Truvision health. It blends potent plant extracts with essential micronutrients that enhance blood chemistry for optimum health and extended lifespan.
Alpha Lipoic Acid is one of the main ingredients in Trufix.
It is a fatty acid, essential for glucose-to-energy conversion. There’s chlorogenic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant and stimulates the burning of the undesirable white fat -adipose tissue.
Micronutrients like Chromium, Zinc, selenium, vanadium, and copper are also present in moderation, and there’s Raspberry Ketones to boost metabolism. All in all, you can expect the following from trufix:
Pros
- Increased energy
- Delicious taste
- Convenience – you can take it as a beverage or in capsule form
- Combines better with other diets
- Can be combined with any diet plan for powerful effects
- A moderate blend of potent plant extracts that are safe for consumption.
Cons
- Potential side effects include elevated heart rate and headaches
- There is no clinical evidence supporting the manufacturer’s bold claims
Trucontrol
Trucontrol is another weight loss supplement from Truvision. It is marketed as a fat burner that supplies energy leading to reduced appetite and thus low carbohydrates intake.
The Trucontrol formula is a blend of potent herbal extracts, vitamins, and enzymes. It is mainly rich in Green Tea, which studies have commended for its potent catechins. Green tea extract also enhances fat metabolism leading to weight loss.
Cocoa powder HCI, Octodrine, caffeine, Theacrine, Evodiamine, and Citrus Extracts are also present in a moderate amount. All of these ingredients work together to boost energy, nourish the cells while suppressing hunger pangs. The Pros and cons of this blend are as follows:
Pros
- Can boost energy levels
- May enhance metabolic rates.
- May suppress appetite leading to reduced unhealthy snacking habits.
- Can be good for an active lifestyle or intense physical routines
- Contains no synthetic ingredients
Cons
- Potential side effects include lack of sleep and nervousness.
- Contains octodrine which according to WebMD can be harmful when taken orally
- It’s a bit expensive.
Hydroxycut Black
Hydroxycut Black refers to several cutting-edge pills, capsules, shakes, and gummies sold as dietary supplements to help lose weight and feel great about yourself.
How can Hydroxycut help you lose weight? Well, caffeine, which is one of the primary ingredients, is a metabolism-boosting stimulant that enhances energy levels and enables you to endure physical routines. It also increases fat metabolism by about 10-29 percent, according to scientific studies.
Komjin is also a good ingredient for weight loss. In a study, 78 overweight people were treated to Komjin extract pills every day for 60 days, and the results were significant weight loss than those who took a placebo.
Hydroxycut also contains wild mint, lady’s mantle, and olive oil, which studies show can help boost metabolic rates significantly. And there’s the nourishing vitamin C and calcium to help you look great.
Keep in mind however, that you are likely to develop caffeine tolerance. In the long-term, therefore, the formula may not be as active. But all in all, the pros and cons of Hydroxycut include:
Pros
- Caffeine delivers optimum energy and helps stay focused.
- It’s organic and GMO substances.
- Hydroxycut brand products are clinically-tested and approved.
- It is thermogenic
Cons
- Hydroxycut brand has a history of using toxic ingredients like ephedra.
- Side effects include nausea and vomiting
CLA 1250
NatureWise’s CLA 1250 is a non-stimulating supplement formulated for hard-core weight loss. It blends science-backed plant extracts from sunflower seed oil. Studies have certified this formula as good for losing excess fats, maintenance of lean muscles, and enhanced athletic performance when combined with great fitness programs.
Sunflower seed oil is rich in fatty acids. Using fats to lose weight sounds ironic but healthy fats are essential for optimum physical and cognitive processes that help with weight loss. In a 2004 study, a group of women took CLA for one year and lost 9 percent of their body fat.
CLA is also a powerful antioxidant that is good for your immune system and helps fight inflammations and certain forms of cancer. From CLA 1250, therefore, you can expect the following:
Pros
- Reduced body fat
- Enhanced immune system
- Lowers high blood sugar levels
- It helps fight specific cancerous cells.
Cons
- Side effects of overconsumption include diarrhea and increased heart rate
- People have complained of stomach problems and fatigue after taking CLA 1250.
Orlistat (Alli)
Orlistat is an FDA-approved pharmaceutical weight-loss pill that can be bought over the counter across the U.S. Markets. It goes by the names Alli and Xenical. Studies show that taking OrlistatOrlistat enhances loss weight by about 2.7kgs compared to other weight loss pills.
Orlistat is a lipase-inhibiting ingredient. By limiting the work of lipase, a percentage of dietary fats won’t be broken down for absorption. Taking OrlistatOrlistat along with your meals, leads to the elimination of about 12 percent of consumed fats through bowel movements.
The Alli pill should be taken one hour before any meal rich in fats. It is good practice to limit fats to about 15 g/meal. The Alli pill tends to reduce the absorption of fat-soluble micronutrients, including Vitamins A, D, E and K, and beta carotene. A multivitamin pill should, therefore, be taken 2 hours after an Alli dose.
Pros
- FDA-approved and readily available over the counter
- Reduced fat storage
- Reduces the risk of type II diabetes
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Lowers cholesterol levels
- Blocks a quarter of consumed fat from being absorbed
Cons
- Side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, headaches just to mention a few
- Orlistat also blocks the absorption of fat-soluble micronutrients
- It is a non-prescription drug, which means patients do not receive extra care from doctors after buying. You are left to manage the pill on your own.
Cellucor Super HD
This fat-burning supplement is rich in metabolism-boosting caffeine to give you the jolt needed to get your butt in the gym or wherever you always do your exercises. Other active ingredients include dandelion extracts, Capsimax, vitamins B3, B6, and B12.
Cellucor Super HD is available in either pill or powder form. For pills, the recommended starting dosage is one pill in the morning and one in the afternoon, and then from there, you can do max dosage (2 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. In powder form, you can select between Peach Mango or Strawberry Lemonade flavor option.
All Cellucor super HD formulas must be taken with plenty of water because dandelion is a dehydrating ingredient.
Pros
- Cellucor is a well-known brand
- The formula is readily available
- Rave reviews from users
- It is possible to get money back on product returns.
Cons
- Contains potential stimulants that may cause jittery
- Dandelion extract is dehydrating
- The use of the formula may lead to one’s exclusion from sporting and athletic competitions.
Evlution Nutrition Lean Mode
Lean Mode is a gluten-free, full spectrum weight loss formula from Evlution Nutrition. The supplement contains clinically-verified pure ingredients that are mixed in an FDA-registered and GMP certified facility.
Based on its 5 key ingredients, Lean Mode has five modes of action to help you achieve your lean body goals. These ingredients make your body target stored fat, enhance metabolism, suppress appetite, and also make you burn more calories.
The ingredients include Chlorogenic acid, L-carnitine, CLA, Garcinia Cambogia extract, and green tea extract. The pros and cons of these blend of ingredients include:
Pros
- Enhances metabolism
- Supports appetite
- CLA helps maintain lean muscles; it is also an antioxidant.
- It helps reduce fatigue and maintain focus.
- Stimulant-free
Cons
- It can cause tooth sensitivity when used for long.
Skinny Gal (Rockstar)
Skinny Gal is a weight loss pill made by women for women. It acts as a thermogenic stimulant i.e., stimulates the body to get warm and lose heat and consequently burn a lot of fats for energy.
Studies reveal that when combined with a proper diet and exercising routine, this formula can help burn excess fat, increase metabolism, and help one take control of their appetite.
The key ingredients in Skinny Gal pill include raspberry ketones, CLA, African mango extracts, and Garcinia Cambogia. The benefits and cons of this blend of ingredients include:
Pros
- Garcinia Cambogia is rich in hydroxycitric acid that helps lose belly fat.
- African mango improves leptin sensitivity leading to better appetite control.
- CLA improves muscle mass
- Raspberry ketones help limit carbs intake.
Cons
- Side effects include mood swings, headaches, dizziness, and stomach pain.
- The formulation is not that strong. Some oils even omit raspberry ketones.
- The claim that it is suitable for women is not scientifically backed.
Phenofen plus
Phenofen plus is another multi-acting weight loss supplement crafted using a scientifically-backed weight loss formula. Phenofen plus has 3 modes of action: It stimulates the body to target stored fat, enhances metabolism and suppresses appetite.
An analysis of the pill reveals 6 active ingredients, which are Caffeine Anhydrous, Yohimbe Bark, Synephrine HCL, Beta Phenylethylamine HCL, and Theobromine Anhydrous. These ingredients combine for a powerful physical and psychological jolt that will get you working out to achieve the body you’ve always wanted.
Pros
- Significant appetite suppression
- Enhances your mood
- Boots overall energy
- Money-back guarantee if you buy directly from the manufacturer
Cons
- Phenofen uses a proprietary blend making it hard to tell the effectiveness of individual ingredients
- It misses some top-rated ingredients such as Green Tea and Coffee bean extract, cayenne and glucomannan
- Phenylethylamine HCL is a terrible inclusion
Alright, there you go; if you are looking for a kinder and gentler way to lose weight, these science-driven formulations that blend powerful organic ingredients and micronutrients will surely do the job.
Remember always to follow your doctor’s guide. The use of weight loss supplements is not without potential adverse effects, as pointed out in the cons section. Weight loss supplement ingredients may also interact with prescription and non-prescription medications negatively, so always ask for pills that will not lead to undesirable outcomes.
Finally, keep in mind however, that “miracle” pills do not exist. It is wise to combine the above weight loss supplements with healthy low-carb diets and physical exercises for optimum results. Have fun transforming your body!