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Weight Loss Supplements
Weight loss supplements are controversial at best. Some experts claim that anything bought over-the-counter is worthless, while others say they do have an effect.
One person loses weight dramatically while the next person doesn't lose at all. What's going on?
So what is the truth about weight loss supplements? Are they a magic bullet that can make you lose weight without effort?
Or is there something else that we need to know about weight loss supplements, before we buy them?
I'll only cover over-the-counter (OTC) supplements; check with your physician about any prescription weight loss medications.
Kinds of Weight Loss Supplements
Weight loss supplements tend to fall into two general areas.
- Metabolism booster: The supplement uses an herb or substance to put the body into a little higher gear. An example of this is caffeine. The metabolism revs up a bit and burns more calories. Not for those who are sensitive to stimulants like caffeine. These are sometimes also called thermogenic weight loss supplements.
- Appetite inhibitor: The appetite inhibitor is where a supplement can dull the appetite of the person using it. This works fine if the person is overeating because he or she is hungry, but not for the person who eats for comfort.
New Supplement Category
In 2006, a new OTC weight loss supplement (Alli) was introduced. Alli works by binding the fat in a meal and "whisking" it through the body, so that very little is absorbed. While this may work for people who eat a lot of fat, it doesn't do much for the people who eat a low-fat diet to begin with (and just eat too much).
Healthy Weight Loss -- Diet Supplements
You'll want to be careful about taking something for healthy weight loss. Diet supplements can be part of a healthy weight loss plan, but you need to read labels carefully.
For example, if you are allergic to shellfish, please double-check the ingredients. There have been some incidents in the past year or so where the supplements caused a reaction in sensitive individuals.
You also won't want anything with ephedra. Although, it's not really supposed to be on the market anymore, it's still available over the internet.
Likewise with Phentermine -- it's available on the internet, but it's very controversial.
A healthy weight loss supplement helps you lose weight naturally. If you choose the right one, it may give you a boost as to losing weight, but you still have to follow a reasonable diet in order for them to work.
Do They Work?
There are lots of weight loss supplements on the market. Almost all of them can work, but virtually none will work all by themselves. A sensible diet and exercise are required -- at least a little bit.
You don't have to go all out and become an Olympic gold medal winner-- just get up off the couch and move your body. Even for just 5 minutes at a time helps. Check out the benefits to exercise page for tips about why you should squeeze in some exercise.
If you do your part, most of these weight loss supplements can work and help you boost your weight loss even more. You just need to find the best diet supplement that works for you.
Weight Loss Supplement Review
Here are some of the popular weight loss OTC products out on the market; click on each link to take you to the review page.
- 72 Hour Diet Pill
- Alli Diet Pill
- Cortislim
- Chromium Picolinate
- NuBurn, AM and PM
- Hoodia Gordonii
- Hydroxycut
- Lean System 7
- Leptoprin
- Leptopril
- Lipo 6
- Relacore
- Remedilean
- Stacker2
- TrimSpa
Two More Things
Along with your weight loss supplements, you may want to try some nutritional health supplements, because your diet most likely doesn't provide all the vitamins and minerals you need.
You also will want to drink plenty of water when taking these diet supplements, How much? Check out the drink water to lose weight page for more information.
Top of Weight Loss Supplements page
All information presented on this site is for educational purposes only, and is not meant for anyone under 18, pregnant, nursing or under supervision of a physician for a medical condition.
For specific weight loss and fitness questions, or for medical advice and treatment, always consult your medical practitioner.