Unless you've been gifted with extraordinary willpower, you'll probably need to use a diet aid to curb your appetite when trying to lose weight. Use this beginner's guide to weight loss supplements to gain a better understanding of the types of weight loss aids on the market and the ingredients in each one. An informed consumer is more likely to choose the right weight loss supplement and have a better experience.
Always Look for Weight Loss Supplements with Safe, Natural Ingredients
It's not hard to find weight loss supplements with all-natural ingredients. The trick is finding ones that are safe and effective. Learn to read labels instead of depending solely on advertising or Amazon reviews. There are some natural ingredients, like wheatgrass and green tea, which have been used for decades in modern weight loss supplements, while others like Hoodia and Garcinia Cambogia have little scientific evidence to back up their effectiveness claims.
Guide to Weight Loss Supplement Ingredients
Here's a beginner's guide to weight loss supplements commonly used in over the counter diet pills. Most of them have been used in weight loss supplements and other nutritional supplements for years. Some of them have a long history in holistic medicine that dates back to ancient times; others are relatively new to the alternative health and weight loss fields. This list features weight loss supplement ingredients that have been used successfully for years (or decades) in online and over the counter products. Other herbs and minerals may be used in weight loss supplements, but the ones featured below are most frequented used in lab tested and approved diet products.
Some weight loss supplements combine several of these ingredients while others use a great quantity of one ingredient and combine small amounts of a few others in a proprietary blend. Depending on your health and any medical conditions you may have (high blood pressure, diabetes), some of these supplements may cause side effects. Always check with your doctor if you're not sure how a particular ingredient in a weight loss supplement will affect your health.
1. Green Tea and Green Tea Extract – Not Just a Fad
Green tea contains catechins, powerful antioxidants and flavonoids that have been shown to fight cancer, high blood pressure and other diseases. As if that wasn't reason enough to include in a supplement, its active ingredient EGCG, acts as a stimulant and can curb appetite. Green tea extract is used in many weight loss supplements for its stimulant effects, with the disease-fighting catcechins as a bonus. Green tea keeps cells throughout the body healthy, and contains theanine, a compound that reduces the effects of stress. It increase mental clarity and focus, and may reduce the chance of gum disease, diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
2. Citrus aurantium (Bitter Orange) : The Safer Alternative to Ephedra
Citrus Aurantiuam (Bitter Orange) was traditionally used in Chinese medicine for relief of indigestion, constipation and nausea. In modern-day alternative medicine, it is used to treat nasal congestion, ringworm (with a topical cream), or indigestion – and it has gained popularity as a weight loss supplement, both alone and as part of a proprietary blend. Citrus Aurantiuam is a stimulant, which is part of its appeal as an energy booster and weight loss aid. It is often used as a replacement for the now-banned weight loss supplement ephedra.
3. Wheatgrass Provides 20 Amino Acids and 103 Enzymes Not Found in Other Foods and More!
Wheatgrass is one of the most popular supplements in the world today, and its reputation as a superfood is well-earned. It contains chlorophyll, which has dozens of health benefits, including controlling hunger pangs. A study cited by PubMed.gov showed that overweight women given meals with and without chlorophyll experienced decreased hunger after eating the meal with chlorophyll.
The amino acids in wheatgrass are involved in the growth and maintenance of cells, protein synthesis, and maintaining the integrity of your body's musculature. The amino acids in wheatgrass include leucine, tryptophan, valine, aspartic acid and arginine.
Wheatgrass is Overflowing with Magnesium and Minerals
The chlorophyll in wheatgrass offers a healthy does of magnesium, since magnesium is the central atom of the plant pigment chlorophyll. Magnesium is vital for maintaining healthy blood sugar and blood pressure; regulating the sleep hormone melatonin and relaxing the nervous system. It detoxifies the body and promotes regular bowel movements. Magnesium helps alkalize the body to its best pH level (around 7.4), and a proper pH balance is an underreported but essential way to achieve optimum health.
The minerals in wheatgrass are: calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, sodium, copper, cobalt, iodine, zinc, potassium, manganese and over 72 trace minerals.
4. White Willow (Salix alba)
Used to reduce pain and fever, white willow was a favorite medicine of Hippocrates in the 5th Century B.C. Salicin, the active ingredient in white willow bark, is converted into salicylic acid in the body. The synthetic version of salicylic acid is more commonly know as aspirin. White willow is used in small amounts in some weight loss supplements for its anti-inflammatory agents.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper, also called capsicum, can do more than spice up a meal. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may minimize pain from headaches or minor injuries. It's been used as a folk remedy for gout, heartburn, nausea and sore throat. Cayenne pepper is included in some weight loss supplements due to its appetite control properties. A study at Laval University in Quebec showed that participants who ate cayenne pepper at breakfast had reduced appetite throughout the day.
6. Gingko Biloba
Gingko Biloba has a high amount of flavonoids. These antioxidants prevent free radical damage in the cells and promote better overall health. Gingko Biloba is most frequently used to promote concentration, memory and energy by increasing blood circulation in the brain.
7. Chromium Picolinate
Considered an appetite suppressant and builder of lean muscle mass by some alternative health experts, Chromium Picolinate is used in weight loss and bodybuilding supplements. It metabolizes fat stored in your body and stabilizes blood sugar. It's sometimes used to improve athletic performance and increases energy levels.
8. Ginger
Best known as a zesty spice, ginger has many other benefits besides tasting good. This herb is used to aid the respiratory system by clearing mucus and opening up the air passageways. It's sometimes used to treat nausea or upset stomach. It is a potent aid for stimulating weak digestion.
B-Complex Vitamins Provide Energy and Nutrients During Weight Loss
The eight vitamins known as B-complex Vitamins are essential to energy production and metabolic processes in the body. They are involved in cell multiplication and are important to maintain energy, enhance mood and guard against the mental and physical problems caused by stress. B-complex vitamins aren't appetite suppressants like green tea or bitter orange. They provide so many positive health functions that it's important to choose a diet supplement containing them.
Vitamin B1, also referred to as Thiamine, converts carbohydrates (food) into glucose to give you energy. It's water soluble and not stored in the body, so you need a steady supply of Vitamin B1 daily. Most foods contain at least a small amount of Thiamin, but sunflower seeds, lentils, oats and black beans have between 25 and 43% of the daily requirement for Vitamin B1 in one serving. Vitamin B1 helps produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which produces energy in all body cells. It contributes to healthy functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous system, and shields the body against negative effects caused by stress.
Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is a water soluble vitamin necessary to maintain healthy nerves, eyes, muscles and skin. It prevents cataracts from forming, and helps the adrenal gland produce hormones. It also converts tryptophan into an amino acid called niacin. Yogurt, spinach, eggs, almonds and turkey are rich in Vitamin B2.
Vitamin B3, or niacin, converts carbohydrates into glucose to give you energy. It is widely used to control high cholesterol and heart disease, and may delay or prevent the onset of Type 1 diabetes. Niacin is necessary to keep the nervous system functioning properly, and it contributes to healthy hair, skin, eyes and liver. It helps produces stress and sex hormones in the adrenal glands and improves circulation. Doctors often prescribe niacin to treat high cholesterol, heart disease or diabetes. Niacin is found naturally in high quantities in sunflower seeds, beets, peanuts, salmon and tuna.
Enhance Mood and Keep Your Hair and Nails Healthy with These B Vitamins
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) converts food into fuel, like other B vitamins. Vitamin B5 helps produce sex and stress hormones in the adrenal gland, and is critical to red blood cell production. It helps maintain a healthy functioning digestive tract. Vitamin B5 is available in high amounts through avocados, sweet potatoes, lentils and chicken.
Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine is essential for breaking down proteins and making hemoglobin to supply oxygen to tissues. It helps make the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which are necessary to regulate mood. Vitamin B6 helps produce melatonin, which is essential to maintain proper sleep patterns. It also helps form a protein layer around cells called myelin. Vitamin B6 occurs naturally in many foods, including potatoes, turkey, tuna, bananas and salmon
Vitamin B7 also called biotin, is known as the hair and beauty vitamin for its effect on fingernails and hair. Some shampoo brands advertise biotin as a main ingredient in their products. Vitamin B7 produces fatty acids and amino acids in the body, activating proteins in the hair and fingernails. It helps the body produce glucose, and is found in high concentrations in raspberries, pork, salmon and liver.
Vitamin B9, also known as folate or folic acid, helps convert carbohydrates into glucose like niacin and other B vitamins. It helps the nervous system and liver function properly, and promotes healthy eyes and skin. Folate, the natural form of B9, is found in foods. Folic acid is the synthetic supplement form of Vitamin B9. This B vitamin protects against birth defects, age-related hearing loss and heart disease. Whole grains, salmon, orange juice and avocados contain high amounts of Vitamin B9.
Vitamin B12 - Nature's Energy Booster
Vitamin B12 boosts energy and enhances mood. It's used by doctors to treat patients with pernicious anemia through an injection, nose gel or sublingual tablet. For everyday nutrition or to preserve health during weight loss, choose a supplement with all B-complex vitamins, which includes Vitamin B12 (also called Cobalamin). Vitamin B12 is water soluble and unused amounts leave the body through urination. However, the body can store B12 in the liver for years. It's important for the formation of red blood cells and is necessary for all chemical and physical processes in the body that use energy. A Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause poor balance, weakness or tingling in the arms and legs. People over 50, vegans and vegetarians may have a hard time absorbing B12 or getting enough of it from their diets. It's found in high amounts in salmon, sardines, tuna, yogurt, beef and cow's milk.
You'll Find Wheatgrass, Citrus Aurantiuam and Much More in Zeal O2 Weight Loss Supplement
The ingredients listed above provide benefits before, during and after a diet. You shouldn't stop taking supplements with wheatgrass, green tea extract, B-complex vitamins, etc. after your weight loss program has ended. These vitamins, minerals and supplements contribute to energy, good mood, focus and better health regardless of when you take them.
WheatgrassLove.com's Zeal O2 Weight Loss Supplement is backed up by lab research, years of successful online sales, and satisfied customers. You can check out their testimonials here.
Listening to the latest TV doctor talk show or fad diet commercial will give you a narrow view of weight loss supplements and the ingredients that can make them effective. Using a beginner's guide to weight loss supplements will expand your view of diet aids and let you make a more informed choice about the right weight loss supplement for your needs.
