Maintaining body weight is necessary for leading a healthy life. As soon as you figure out the need to lose some weight, you should seek some best advice related to this. And it is normal to think about taking supplements along with daily workouts when you are aiming to lose weight.
When you research the necessary supplements or herbal remedies for weight loss you might get mixed reviews which would increase your anxiety further. FDA was able to crack down on some weight loss supplements containing prescribed drugs that weren't mentioned on the label of the particular drug.
Hence this misleads patients by not giving them full information about the supplements they are taking. This blog will discuss some supplements which will help you to make an informed decision.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
CLA is known for its fat loss characteristic for years. This supplement contains chemicals that are also found in fatty acids termed linoleic acid. It functions by curbing body fat and also helps to stay full. However, there is no thorough research done on CLA for weight loss. Consequently, the research contains mixed results. For some people, it is suggested to intake 1.8 to 6.8 grams of CLA on a daily basis. It does not only curb body fat but also helps in boosting your muscles. CLA is not tolerant of everyone, they have side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Fatigue
- Loose stools
Green tea extract
Green tea is considered a very popular ingredient present in weight loss supplements. Plenty of studies have shown that it contains an antioxidant named EGCG which is effective in burning fat. It is also effective in treating obesity as it blocks enzymes named pancreatic lipase which shows effective results in combining with reduced fat absorption.
Intake of green tea simultaneously with regular workout would be effective in fat burning, especially in the belly area. It might not be effective for people who are sensitive to caffeine as it may show side effects to them such as:
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Bloating
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Agitation
Green coffee bean extract
Coffee beans that are not roasted are termed green coffee beans. They contain substances such as caffeine and chlorogenic acid which helps in weight loss. Caffeine works by increasing fat burning whereas chlorogenic acid works by slowing down the breakdown of the carbohydrates in the gut.
Studies have shown that green coffee is effective for losing weight. However, they cause similar side effects compared to caffeine. This is because it contains chlorogenic acid which further causes diarrhea and that's why some people tend to be allergic to green coffee bean extract. Other than this other side effects include:
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Stomach upset
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Nervousness
- Urinary tract infection
- Bitter orange
When an orange consists of the compound named Synephrine then that orange is termed bitter orange. Synephrine is related to ephedrine which is known for its weight loss function, present in various weight loss pill formations. It is native to Africa and tropical Asia. Further, it is also grown in the Mediterranean, Florida, and California. According to natural medicine, it is "possibly unsafe" When taken orally. Also, there is not enough evidence to support the fact that it is effective for weight loss.
Due to its side effect, it has been banned by FDA as a weight loss ingredient, as Synephrine is related to ephedrine, quite similar to it, but less potent comparatively. It functions by reducing appetite and effective fat burning. The other risks include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Death
- Glucomannan
Glucomannan is manufactured from the Konjac plant. It functions by blocking fat to get absorbed into your body from the food you intake. Hence it helps in weight loss whereas there is still no definite answer whether it works or not. Certain studies show that it is helpful and others show that it is not. Natural medicine claims that due to lack of "insufficient evidence" it is difficult to rate the effectiveness of Glucomannan for weight loss. Side effects include:
- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Soft stools
- Adverse effects while taken along with oral supplements
The above-discussed supplements may or may not be effective for weight loss. They may nudge your metabolism a bit and help you lose a few pounds at max and that's it. Their effect would end there. Hence you can't rely on them. Physical activities, mindful eating, and a proper diet plan are still the most effective ways of weight loss. They have proven to act more effective than pills.
