Natural Diet Supplements for Weight Loss

You're eating right. You're getting exercise. You want a little something extra to boost your body's metabolism, but diet pills seem a bad option. Unregulated by the government, so many are scams, or have scary side effects, and you're trying to improve your health, here, not compromise it! So what are the best natural dietary supplements for weight loss, and where can you find them at reasonable prices? This guide will give you the what, why, where and how... only you can provide the who.

Where to Start

If you haven't already, make sure you are taking a good multivitamin and mineral supplement daily. You make think you don't need to, but especially when you're dieting, you may not be getting all of the basics your body requires to function. In addition, calcium is very important to take during periods of calorie restriction, and not just for women. It has also been recently linked to weight loss, for those of you who need extra motivation to pop that pill.

A good b-complex supplement is essential. While all of the b-vitamins aid in metabolism and energy, a few of them serve special purposes vital to weight loss.

B2 (Riboflavin)

• Aids in normal thyroid function
• Regulates metabolism

B3 (Niacin)

• Aids in normal thyroid function
• Component of the Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF), released after a rise in blood sugar
• Helps fuel cells, which then burn more energy

B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

• Aids in adrenal function
• Facilitates energy production
• Increases capacity to burn fat

B6 (Pyridoxine)

• Aids in normal thyroid function
• Regulates metabolism
• With zinc, produces enzymes to digest food more efficiently

Choline and Inositol

• Members of B-complex
• Necessary for fat metabolism

It is important to complement your vitamin regime with minerals. They work closely together to provide optimum results in the efficient functioning (and therefore fat-burning) of your body. Several minerals in particular have been found to increase dieters' results, when taken in conjunction with a multivitamin and b-complex supplement.

Zinc

• With B6, produces enzymes to digest food more efficiently
• Regulates appetite
• Curbs cravings by heightening taste
• Necessary for proper hormone function

Chromium

• Required for metabolism of sugar
• Controls fat and cholesterol levels in blood
• Makes insulin more effective in regulating blood sugar

Manganese

• Aids in healthy thyroid function
• Regulates fat metabolism and blood-glucose

There are many other dietary supplements out there that claim to help you achieve your weight-loss goals. Only a very few have science to back them up. Each body will respond differently based on the internal chemistry of the individual, but the following recommendations are those that have been found to do the most good for the most people.

Co-Enzyme Q10

• Needed for energy production
• Study participants doubled weight loss when taking it

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

• More efficiently transports nutrients to muscle cells
• Moderates blood sugar levels
• Powerful antioxidant

Acetyl L-Carnitine

• Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides
• Increases fat burning and energy levels
• Promotes circulation and liver health

EGCG (Green Tea)

• Increases fat oxidization
• Boosts metabolism and fat-burning
• Reduces blood glucose, lipids, and cholesterol

Whatever supplements you choose, make sure you read the instructions carefully, and take only as directed, with plenty of water.

The most common mistake people make is to think that, because they are taking supplements, they no longer need to eat healthily. Don't make that mistake. These supplements will only work for you when added to a healthy nutrition and exercise program.

With all that said, happy losing!