Studies have shown that herbs like cayenne pepper, turmeric , cinnamon and dandelion can all make meals tastier and may all help promote weight loss. Cayenne pepper, for instance, is a metabolic booster and anti-inflammatory.

One study noted that consuming cayenne pepper for breakfast creates less appetite , so people eat less calories during the day. Rather that worrying about stomach bloat and water weight, realize that water will actually reduce bloating and overall weight. Drinking water not only keeps fat toxins moving out of the body, it also keeps your metabolism running optimally.

In fact, in a study showed 14 healthy men and women increased their metabolic rate by 30 percent after drinking about 16 ounces of water. Drinking 1—3 cups of herbal teas such as green tea , white tea, black tea and rooibos tea daily may help amp up your metabolism.

According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , green tea is more effective than other teas like oolong at promoting weight loss because of its high levels of catechins. Drinking yerba mate tea has also been shown to increase fat oxidation and energy expenditure during exercise.

The study concluded that its ingestion can increase the exercise effectiveness for weight loss and sports performance. Whether it be a few days or weeks, learning how to detox the body can be a great idea to kick off weight loss, including getting rido of a toxin buildup in the body.

A simple way to cleanse is by starting to drink this Secret Detox Drink. Speaking of detoxing, adding fermented, raw apple cider vinegar to your water might help decrease occurrence of gastrointestinal complications like constipation, diarrhea and acid reflux, as well as help control your appetite and potentially reducing weight gain and high cholesterol.

Work your way up to consuming one to two tablespoons per day, diluted with water, before your biggest meals. To improve the taste and nutrient content, try combining it with a bit of raw honey and lemon juice.

Consider avoiding certain foods that can contribute to over-eating and trigger inflammation by causing gut-related issues such as ultra-processed foods that take up over 60 percent of the American diet.

You will want to remove and replace these with healthy alternatives. Unfortunately, foods for which studies show we have a high biological preference those high in sugar and calories , and which contribute to overeating, are currently the cheapest and most accessible. It takes effort, but you will want to cut out any fast food, which relies on additives and excessive sodium to taste appealing, and foods with long ingredient lists that are hard to pronounce.

Eat minimally processed, whole foods that have ideally been cooked from scratch. Sugar can be hidden under names like corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, juice concentrate, maltodextrin, raw sugar and brown sugar. These sugars can often be hidden in things that sound like health foods, including fruit juice, granola bars, dressings and protein bars.

Eliminate and replace all of these types of sugar with natural sugar substitutes like green stevia and raw honey, but have even both of these in moderation. Three of the main compounds in grains are gluten, starch and phytic acid, all of which can cause issues.

Gluten can cause inflammation, starch turns into sugar quickly, and phytic acid binds to minerals, blocking some of their absorption. Replace your daily intake of grains with fruits and vegetables, or consume up to one piece daily of a sprouted grain bread like Ezekiel bread or sourdough.

When it comes to using flour, switch to a Paleo flour , almond or coconut flour — all suitable for fat loss. Canola oil or other vegetable oils are found in many processed foods that can slow down your fat loss and cause too much inflammation.

Replace all vegetable oils with coconut oil, avocado oil and grass-fed butter. One study even stated that our aging would slow by 2 percent to 3 percent if we lowered the number of calories we eat by 25 percent.

The Harris-Benedict equation is a popular tool used by many nutrition and health professionals to calculate the caloric requirements of individuals based on sex, age, height, weight and level of physical activity.

Here are the equations by gender:. An online calorie calculator can help you determine your daily caloric needs.

Meanwhile, also count your macros. Carbohydrates, fats and protein are the three macronutrients. Evidence shows that tracking your food, such as with an calorie counting app, can be an amazing tool to help manage your goals. It works by bringing awareness to your eating routine.

Over time, you can learn about your food to the point where you may not have to journal. A study showed that women who tracked their food intake, practiced self-monitoring, cooked home-prepared meals and consumed meals at regular time frames had improved weight loss goals over a month period among postmenopausal women.

Intermittent fasting , also known as cyclic fasting, helps to stop you from eating mindlessly, can crank up your metabolism and is beneficial for hormone production, digestion and more. Research shows that fasting can stabilize blood sugar levels, help reduce inflammation and help keep your heart healthy.

Conversely, some do better with three square meals a day. Start your day on the right foot and fuel your body with a breakfast balanced between the three macronutrients — rather than one mostly carb-laden.

Make your own healthier versions instead. Try washing fresh fruits and veggies and storing them in glass or nice bowls on the counter or refrigerator shelf where they will be most visible. Want to know a secret regarding how to lose weight fast without exercise?

Make the majority of your own snacks and meals from whole foods at home. Start by committing to making one meal a day at home.

As you get more comfortable in the kitchen, increase that number. Use them to create new meals for instance, make a stir-fry with leftover cooked meats and veggies or have a weekly night where all the leftovers get put out and everyone in the family can eat their favorites again.

You can also bring your own healthy foods to gatherings. Practice mindful eating , chewing slowly and enjoying the flavor of your food. This process will ensure that you not only consume fewer calories, it also eases digestion and helps your brain to catch up with your body.

Try down-sizing your plate, since the same serving of food looks like less food on larger plates, tricking your brain into eating less. Or, is your office having a pizza party and the smell of cheesy goodness is too hard to resist?

Pick the slice loaded with veggies, enjoy and then turn away. Also remember to have protein, fiber and healthy fat at every meal. Not enough protein, for example, can make satiety hard to achieve. However, a cheat meal — not a day! Sometimes giving yourself a little cheat takes the wind out of those cravings and keeps your week on track, so start with one cheat meal a week and gradually scale back.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology showed that experiencing boredom actually not only increased the amount of snacking, but also the amount of unhealthy eating overall. If you want to break through a weight-loss plateau, jumpstart your metabolism and lose belly fat fast, there is no better type of exercise than high-intensity interval training , such as Tabata training.

Studies show that this type of exercise causes an afterburn effect in your body so you keep burning fat for hours after your workout. Try doing interval training three to four days a week for between 20 and 40 minutes.

Here is an example of a 4-minute Tabata with 40 seconds of high-intensity exercise and then 20 seconds of rest. You would repeat this set 2 to 3 times for a complete workout:. They can help shape a fitness program to reach your goals while taking into account any special considerations.

Maria Kravchenko, from Ascension St. Agnes, says it's been around for centuries. Kravchenko said. Crosby says she knows it's not "Nature's Ozempic. It's a dietary supplement she uses to reduce inflammation and treat many other conditions.

Kovchenko said. Ultimately, she added, "Research has consistently shown the best way to lose weight is a slow and steady weight loss. Kravchenko says Berberine is not regulated by the FDA and is simply classified as a food item. There are side effects to be aware of, including diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, nausea and vomiting.

Nicky Zizaza joined WJZ in July She anchors the 5 p. and 7 p. Additional trials with larger samples and diverse populations are needed to determine whether Irvingia gabonensis extract is effective for weight loss [ 19 ].

Irvingia gabonensis extract appears to be well tolerated. Most reported adverse effects are mild, including headache, difficulty sleeping, flatulence, and gas [ 19 ]. However, Irvingia gabonensis has been associated with renal failure in a patient with chronic kidney disease [ 21 ].

Beta-glucans are glucose polysaccharides found in bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and cereal grains such as oats and barley. As soluble dietary fibers, beta-glucans are proposed to increase satiety and gastrointestinal transit time and to slow glucose absorption [ 16 ].

Consumption of beta-glucans from barley has been shown to reduce energy intake and appetite in humans [ 22 ]. Several studies have investigated the effects of beta-glucans on blood lipids, blood pressure, and insulin resistance, with weight loss as a secondary outcome.

In one of these studies, 66 women who were overweight followed a low-calorie diet designed to produce a 0. At the end of the trial, all groups lost weight and had a smaller waist circumference, but there were no significant differences between groups. Beta-glucans appear to be well tolerated.

Reported adverse effects include increased flatulence but not changes in stool consistency, stool frequency, or bloating [ 24 ].

Bitter orange is the common name for the botanical Citrus aurantium. The fruit of this plant is a source of p-synephrine often referred to simply as synephrine and other protoalkaloids [ 28 ]. As alpha-adrenergic agonists, synephrine alkaloids can mimic the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine.

However, the extent to which bitter orange and synephrine cause similar cardiovascular and central nervous system effects to epinephrine and norepinephrine e. Studies suggest that bitter orange increases energy expenditure and lipolysis and that it acts as a mild appetite suppressant [ 25 , 27 ].

After FDA banned the use of ephedrine alkaloids in dietary supplements in [see section on ephedra má huáng ], manufacturers replaced ephedra with bitter orange in many products; thus, bitter orange became known as an ephedra substitute [ 29 ].

Although synephrine has some structural similarities to ephedrine, it has different pharmacological properties [ 27 , 30 ]. Several small human studies have examined whether bitter orange is effective for weight loss [ 30 ].

Interpreting the results of these studies is complicated by the fact that bitter orange is almost always combined with other ingredients in weight-loss supplements. At the end of the study, participants taking the combination bitter orange product had a significantly greater reduction in percent body fat and fat mass and a greater increase in basal metabolic rate than those in the placebo and control groups.

Participants in all groups lost weight, but the authors did not report whether the mean reduction in body weight in the treatment group 1. The peak rise in resting metabolic rate at baseline was significantly higher in participants taking the herbal supplement than those in the placebo group, but the difference was not significant at the end of the 8-week study.

Participants taking the herbal supplement had a significant increase in mean body weight 1. However, this increase in body weight did not significantly affect body fat and lean tissue levels or waist circumference.

The authors noted that the weight gain might have occurred by chance because the trial was insufficiently powered to detect this small difference.

The authors of a review of 23 small human clinical studies involving a total of participants concluded that synephrine increases resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure [ 30 ].

According to all of these reviews, longer term clinical trials with rigorous designs and large samples are needed to determine the value of bitter orange for weight loss. Products containing bitter orange may have significant safety concerns. Reported adverse effects include chest pain, headache, anxiety, elevated heart rate, musculoskeletal complaints, ventricular fibrillation, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and death [ 34 , 35 ].

However, many of the products with these effects contain multiple herbal ingredients, and the role of bitter orange in these adverse effects cannot be isolated. Some studies indicate that bitter orange and synephrine—as bitter orange extract or pure synephrine—raise blood pressure and heart rate, but other studies show that they do not have these effects [ , 31 , ].

Some researchers have suggested that synephrine might not act directly as a cardiovascular stimulant [ 27 , 37 , 39 ]. Instead, caffeine, other stimulants in multicomponent formulations, and other constituents of bitter orange or adulterants such as m-synephrine, which is not naturally present in bitter orange might be responsible for its observed effects.

Many dietary supplements promoted for weight loss contain added caffeine or an herbal source—such as guarana Paullinia cupana , kola or cola nut Cola nitida , and yerba maté Ilex paraguariensis —that naturally contains caffeine.

Green tea and other forms of tea also contain caffeine see section on green tea. Some weight-loss supplement labels do not declare the amount of caffeine in the product and only list the herbal ingredients.

As a result, consumers might not be aware that the presence of certain herbs means that a product contains caffeine and possibly other stimulants [ 41 ]. Caffeine is a methylxanthine that stimulates the central nervous system, heart, and skeletal muscles. It also increases gastric and colonic activity and acts as a diuretic [ 42 , 43 ].

Caffeine has a half-life of about 6 hours; blood levels increase within 15—45 minutes of consumption, and they peak at around 60 minutes [ 44 ]. Caffeine increases thermogenesis in a linear, dose-dependent fashion in humans [ 45 ]. A mg dose of caffeine, for example, increased energy expenditure by a mean of 9.

Caffeine might also contribute to weight loss by increasing fat oxidation through sympathetic activation of the central nervous system and by increasing fluid loss [ 41 , 45 ]. Habitual use of caffeine however, leads to caffeine tolerance and a diminishment of these effects [ 41 , 43 ].

Caffeine increases energy expenditure and fat oxidation [ 44 ]. However, the extent to which these effects affect weight loss is less clear, partly because clinical trials examining the effects of caffeine on weight loss have all been short and have used combination products.

After 6 months, those in the treatment group lost significantly more weight mean weight loss 5. A product containing caffeine plus glucosyl hesperidin G-hesperidin, a flavonone glycoside found mainly in citrus fruits reduced abdominal fat and BMI in a clinical trial in Japan [ 47 ].

In this study, 75 healthy men and women who were overweight BMI 24—30 received one of five treatments daily for 12 weeks while maintaining their regular lifestyle and eating habits. The five treatments were placebo and four formulations of 0, 25, 50, or 75 mg caffeine plus mg G-hesperidin.

The 75 mg caffeine plus G-hesperidin significantly reduced BMI by a mean of 0. The 50 or 75 mg caffeine plus G-hesperidin also significantly reduced abdominal fat compared to placebo, whereas the G-hesperidin alone or with only 25 mg caffeine did not significantly affect BMI or abdominal fat.

These findings indicate that the higher doses of caffeine might be responsible for the observed effects. At the end of the study, participants taking the herbal product lost a mean of 5.

Data from a year prospective observational study provide some insight into the long-term association between caffeine intake and body weight [ 49 ].

On average, participants gained some weight during the study, but men who increased their caffeine intake during the 12 years of follow-up gained a mean of 0. For women, the corresponding mean difference in weight gain was 0. However, further research is needed to confirm this finding.

For comparison, an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains about 85— mg caffeine. Caffeine can cause sleep disturbances and feelings of nervousness, jitteriness, and shakiness.

Combining caffeine with other stimulants, such as bitter orange and ephedrine, can potentiate these adverse effects. Calcium is an essential mineral that is stored in the bones and teeth, where it supports their structure and function.

Calcium is required for vascular contraction and vasodilation, muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling, and hormonal secretion [ 56 ].

Several studies have correlated higher calcium intakes with lower body weight or less weight gain over time [ ]. Two explanations have been proposed. First, high calcium intakes might reduce calcium concentrations in fat cells by decreasing the production of parathyroid hormone and the active form of vitamin D.

Decreased intracellular calcium concentrations, in turn, might increase fat breakdown and discourage fat accumulation in these cells [ 59 ]. Second, calcium from food or supplements might bind to small amounts of dietary fat in the digestive tract and prevent absorption of this fat [ 59 , 62 , 63 ].

Dairy products, in particular, might contain additional components that have even greater effects on body weight than their calcium content alone would suggest [ 60 , ]. For example, protein and other components of dairy products might modulate appetite-regulating hormones [ 61 ].

However, the results from clinical trials examining the effects of calcium on body weight have been largely negative. Compared to placebo, calcium supplementation for 2 years had no clinically significant effects on weight.

The authors of four reviews of published studies on the effects of calcium from supplements or dairy products on weight management reached similar conclusions [ ]. These reviews include a evidence report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality whose authors concluded that, overall, clinical trial results do not support an effect of calcium supplementation on weight [ 70 ].

In addition, a meta-analysis of 41 randomized controlled trials found no benefit of calcium supplementation or increased dairy food consumption for body weight or body fat [ 73 ]. A meta-analysis of 33 randomized trials and longitudinal studies lasting 12 weeks to 6 years found that calcium from foods or supplements had no overall effect on body weight [ 74 ].

However, in subgroup analyses, calcium did reduce body weight in some groups, including children, adolescents, adult men, premenopausal women, women older than 60, and people with normal BMI [ 74 ]. Overall, the results from clinical trials do not support a clear link between higher calcium intakes and lower body weight, prevention of weight gain, or weight loss.

High intakes of calcium can cause constipation and might interfere with the absorption of iron and zinc, although this effect is not well established.

High intakes of calcium from supplements, but not foods, have been associated with an increased risk of kidney stones [ 56 , ]. Capsaicinoids give chili peppers their characteristic pungent flavor.

Capsaicin is the most abundant and well-studied capsaicinoid [ 78 ]. Capsaicin and other capsaicinoids have been proposed to have anti-obesity effects via their ability to increase energy expenditure and lipid oxidation, attenuate postprandial insulin response, increase satiety, and reduce appetite and energy intake [ ].

Other research suggests that capsaicin increases satiety by inducing gastrointestinal distress e. Most research on capsaicin and other capsaicinoids focuses on their effects on energy intake and appetite, rather than body weight.

A meta-analysis of eight randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluated the effects of capsaicinoids on ad libitum energy intake in a total of participants who had a normal body weight or were moderately overweight [ 78 ]. Doses of capsaicinoids ranged from 0.

Overall, consuming capsaicinoids significantly reduced energy intake by a mean of 74 kcal per meal; body weight was not assessed, so the impact of this calorie reduction on weight loss cannot be quantified.

The authors noted that the results suggest that at least 2 mg capsaicinoids are needed to reduce calorie intake but that the studies were very heterogeneous. However, the calorie reductions did not significantly affect body weight at either 6 weeks or 12 weeks. It might also increase serum insulin and reduce high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol levels.

Otherwise, capsaicin and other capsaicinoids appear to be safe. Research is underway to reduce the pungency and chili taste associated with capsaicin while retaining its potential biological effects [ 81 ].

Carnitine is the generic term for several compounds, including L-carnitine itself, several acylcarnitines e. It is composed of the amino acids lysine and methionine [ 84 ]. Carnitine is naturally present in animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, and milk and dairy products; small amounts are present in some plant foods.

Humans synthesize carnitine from its constituent amino acids, so dietary carnitine intake is not necessary. Almost all cells of the body contain carnitine, which transports fatty acids into the mitochondria and acts as a cofactor for fatty acid beta-oxidation [ 85 ].

Because of these effects, carnitine has been proposed as a weight-loss agent. A systematic review and meta-analysis combined the results from nine carnitine supplementation clinical trials in adults including the two described above that assessed weight loss [ 85 ]. The trials included a total of participants.

In eight trials, the daily carnitine doses ranged from 1. Overall, study participants who received carnitine supplements lost an average of 1.

Additional research on carnitine for weight loss is warranted. Rarer side effects include muscle weakness in patients with uremia and seizures in those with seizure disorders. Some research indicates that intestinal bacteria metabolize carnitine to form trimethylamine N-oxide TMAO , a substance that might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease [ 91 ].

This effect appears to be more pronounced in people who consume meat than in vegans or vegetarians. The implications of this effect are not well understood and require more research.

Chitosan is a manufactured polysaccharide that is commercially prepared from the exoskeletons of crustaceans. It is purported to promote weight loss by binding to some dietary fat in the digestive tract, preventing its absorption [ 16 , 41 ]. Chitosan might also decrease cholesterol absorption [ 16 ].

Chitosan capsules taken before meals total of 2. However, the amount of fat that the chitosan trapped would result in a loss of only 1 lb body fat over about 7 months. Chitosan had no significant effect on fecal fat excretion in the women compared to the control group.

At the end of the study, those in the treatment group lost a mean of 1 kg body weight compared to a mean weight gain of 1. In this study, chitosan treatment reduced body weight mean weight loss about 2.

The authors of a Cochrane Review that included 13 trials examining the effect of chitosan on body weight found that chitosan, when taken for 4 weeks to 6 months, reduced body weight by a mean of 1. They concluded that chitosan appears to be more effective than placebo for short-term weight loss, but most studies have been of poor quality.

The authors also noted that results from high-quality trials indicate that chitosan has minimal effects on body weight, and these effects are probably clinically insignificant.

The adverse effects of chitosan are minor and primarily involve the gastrointestinal tract. They include flatulence, bloating, mild nausea, constipation, indigestion, and heartburn [ 93 , 95 , 96 ].

Because chitosan is derived from shellfish, people who are allergic to shellfish could theoretically be allergic to chitosan [ 97 ].

The trivalent form of chromium chromium III is an essential trace mineral that potentiates the action of insulin. Dietary supplements commonly contain chromium in the form of chromium picolinate, which consists of chromium and picolinic acid, although they might also contain other forms, including chromium nicotinate and chromium yeast [ 99 ].

Poor chromium status might contribute to impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes [ 98 ]. Researchers have hypothesized that chromium supplements increase lean muscle mass and promote fat loss, but study results have been equivocal [ 41 , ].

Some research indicates that these supplements might also reduce food intake, hunger levels, and fat cravings [ ], although data on these effects are sparse. Several studies have evaluated the effects of chromium supplements, usually in the form of chromium picolinate, on weight loss.

Six of the trials included resistance or weight training, and three did not. Chromium picolinate supplementation reduced body weight by 1. Also in , a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials including most of the trials evaluated in the Cochrane Review examined the effects of chromium supplementation in a total of individuals with overweight or obesity [ 99 ].

The authors concluded that daily doses of to 1, mcg chromium for 8 to 26 weeks reduce body weight by 0. Like the authors of the Cochrane Review, these authors noted that the effect is small and of "uncertain" clinical relevance.

Similar findings were reported from an earlier meta-analysis of 12 trials [ ]. Trivalent chromium appears to be well tolerated. Adverse effects from clinical trials include watery stools, headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, vertigo, and urticaria hives [ 99 , ].

Chromium does not have an established UL because few serious adverse effects have been linked to high intakes [ 98 ]. Hexavalent chromium chromium VI is toxic and not found in food or dietary supplements. Forskolin is a compound isolated from the roots of Coleus forskohlii , a plant that grows in subtropical areas, such as India and Thailand.

Forskolin is purported to promote weight loss by enhancing lipolysis and reducing appetite [ , ], possibly by stimulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate cAMP production.

This increased cAMP production, in turn, is thought to activate lipase and promote the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue [ 16 ]. Although animal studies indicate that forskolin reduces food intake [ , ], research in humans is very limited and inconclusive.

Compared to placebo, Coleus forskohlii extract had no effect on body weight, appetite, caloric intake, or macronutrient intake. In a study in mice, Coleus forskohlii extract caused dose-dependent hepatotoxicity, but pure forskolin did not have this effect, suggesting that other component s of Coleus forskohlii extract might be responsible for the hepatotoxicity [ ].

Forskolin has not been evaluated in longer term trials. Additional research is needed to better understand the safety and side effects of both short- and long-term use.

Conjugated linoleic acid CLA is a mixture of linoleic acid isomers containing conjugated double bonds that is present mainly in dairy products and beef. The various isomeric forms of CLA include c9,tCLA and t10,cCLA, and it is available in dietary supplements as a triacylglycerol or as a free fatty acid [ ].

Researchers have suggested that CLA enhances weight loss by increasing lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle, reducing lipogenesis, and promoting apoptosis in adipose tissue [ 17 , ].

Although CLA appears to reduce body fat mass in animals [ 17 ], results from human studies suggest that its effects are small and of questionable clinical relevance [ ]. One double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of CLA supplementation as a mixture of c9,tCLA and t10,cCLA in male and female volunteers who were overweight BMI 25—30 consuming an ad libitum diet [ ].

Participants received CLA as a free fatty acid 3. At the end of the study, body fat mass dropped by significant amounts with both forms of CLA compared with placebo; reductions, on average, were 6.

Supplementation with CLA as a free fatty acid but not as a triacylglycerol also increased lean body mass compared with placebo. In another double-blind crossover trial, daily supplementation with CLA oil 6.

These findings are similar to those from a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial in 63 adults with overweight or obesity BMI 24—35 that found statistically significant, but small, reductions in mean weight 0.

In contrast, those in the placebo group did not lose a significant amount of body weight 0. However, 3. The authors of a systematic review and meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials concluded that taking 2. However, the authors noted that the "magnitude of these effects is small, and the clinical relevance is uncertain.

CLA appears to be well tolerated. Most reported adverse effects are minor, consisting mainly of gastrointestinal disturbances, such as abdominal discomfort and pain, constipation, diarrhea, loose stools, nausea, vomiting, and dyspepsia [ 3 , , , , , ]. CLA might also increase some markers of oxidative stress and decrease breastmilk fat levels, but additional research is needed to confirm these effects [ ].

CLA has been linked to hepatitis in three case reports [ ]. However, whether CLA caused this toxicity cannot be definitively established because the products were not analyzed to rule out the presence of a contaminant. CLA might adversely affect lipid profiles, although results from studies are inconsistent.

Some research indicates that CLA has no major effect on lipid profiles, but other research shows that certain CLA isomers might decrease HDL cholesterol and increase lipoprotein a levels [ , , , ]. The CLA isomer t10,cCLA has also been reported to increase insulin resistance and glycemia in men with obesity and metabolic syndrome [ , ].

Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid in brown seaweed and other algae.

Additionally, there have been many cases in which contaminated supplements caused dangerous side effects like high blood pressure, strokes, seizures, and even death On a brighter note, the natural supplements listed above can help you burn fat when added to a health-promoting routine.

Keep in mind that a supplement cannot replace a nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise. They simply help you get the most out of health-promoting activities like exercising and eating a balanced diet. In some cases, commercial fat burners can be dangerous, as they are not FDA regulated.

There have been cases of dangerous side effects and contamination with harmful ingredients. Several other supplements may help you lose weight. However, they either have side effects or lack evidence to support their claims.

There are other supplements that may help you burn fat, including 5-HTP, synephrine, green coffee bean extract, CLA, and L-carnitine. However, they each have limitations. However, plenty of natural solutions can help you burn more fat when combined with a health-promoting lifestyle that includes eating a nutrient-rich diet and exercising.

These natural solutions include caffeine, green tea extract, protein supplements, soluble fiber supplements, and yohimbine.

Among these, caffeine, green tea extract, and protein supplements are likely to be the most effective at helping you burn fat. Talk with a healthcare professional before starting the use of any new supplement to make sure you fully understand any risks, benefits, or interactions. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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Other supplements that may help you burn fat. The bottom line. HCA has been shown to help increase serotonin levels, which may improve fullness levels. However, some studies show no significant effects from this supplement. Yerba mate is a plant native to South America.

Some research has suggested that taking capsules containing a total of 3 g of yerba mate daily for 12 weeks may help reduce body fat and improve the waist-hip ratio of people with obesity.

Moreover, a study of 12 healthy women has indicated that taking 2 g of yerba mate before performing a minute cycling exercise reduced appetite and also boosted metabolism, focus, and energy levels.

Yerba mate appears to be safe and does not seem to produce any severe side effects. However, drinking yerba mate very hot and reusing the same leaves may lead to a higher risk of esophageal and other types of cancer.

Yerba mate is a plant known for its energy-boosting properties, and it may also help with appetite reduction and weight loss. Studies suggest that the caffeine in coffee may help promote weight loss by:. It seems that ingesting caffeine 0. Nevertheless, note that a high caffeine intake may raise blood pressure in some people.

The caffeine in coffee may help reduce appetite, delay stomach emptying, and influence appetite hormones, all of which can help you eat less. Caffeine may also increase fat burn and aid weight loss.

The items listed above may offer a natural approach to weight loss alongside dietary measures and exercise. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Making a few small changes to your morning routine can help you lose weight and keep it off.

This article tells you how. Nutrient-rich superfoods can benefit your health in many ways, including by helping you lose weight. Here are 20 of the best superfoods for weight…. Men looking to lose weight have a number of dietary patterns to choose from. Here are the 10 best weight loss diet plans for men.

Green tea extract is a concentrated supplemental form of green tea. Here are 10 science-based benefits of green tea extract. This is a detailed article about CLA Conjugated Linoleic Acid , a natural fatty acid that has become very popular as a weight loss supplement.

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How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 10 Natural Appetite Suppressants That May Help You Lose Weight. Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD , Nutrition — By Arlene Semeco, MS, RD — Updated on August 30, Fenugreek Glucomannan Gymnema sylvestre Griffonia simplicifolia Caralluma fimbriata Green tea Conjugated linoleic acid Garcinia cambogia Yerba mate Coffee Bottom line Certain herbs and plants may help promote weight loss by reducing appetite.

Glucomannan and other viscous fiber. In a study in mice, Coleus forskohlii extract caused dose-dependent hepatotoxicity, but pure forskolin did not have this effect, suggesting that other component s of Coleus forskohlii extract might be responsible for the hepatotoxicity [ ].

Forskolin has not been evaluated in longer term trials. Additional research is needed to better understand the safety and side effects of both short- and long-term use. Conjugated linoleic acid CLA is a mixture of linoleic acid isomers containing conjugated double bonds that is present mainly in dairy products and beef.

The various isomeric forms of CLA include c9,tCLA and t10,cCLA, and it is available in dietary supplements as a triacylglycerol or as a free fatty acid [ ]. Researchers have suggested that CLA enhances weight loss by increasing lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle, reducing lipogenesis, and promoting apoptosis in adipose tissue [ 17 , ].

Although CLA appears to reduce body fat mass in animals [ 17 ], results from human studies suggest that its effects are small and of questionable clinical relevance [ ]. One double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of CLA supplementation as a mixture of c9,tCLA and t10,cCLA in male and female volunteers who were overweight BMI 25—30 consuming an ad libitum diet [ ].

Participants received CLA as a free fatty acid 3. At the end of the study, body fat mass dropped by significant amounts with both forms of CLA compared with placebo; reductions, on average, were 6. Supplementation with CLA as a free fatty acid but not as a triacylglycerol also increased lean body mass compared with placebo.

In another double-blind crossover trial, daily supplementation with CLA oil 6. These findings are similar to those from a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial in 63 adults with overweight or obesity BMI 24—35 that found statistically significant, but small, reductions in mean weight 0.

In contrast, those in the placebo group did not lose a significant amount of body weight 0. However, 3. The authors of a systematic review and meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials concluded that taking 2.

However, the authors noted that the "magnitude of these effects is small, and the clinical relevance is uncertain. CLA appears to be well tolerated. Most reported adverse effects are minor, consisting mainly of gastrointestinal disturbances, such as abdominal discomfort and pain, constipation, diarrhea, loose stools, nausea, vomiting, and dyspepsia [ 3 , , , , , ].

CLA might also increase some markers of oxidative stress and decrease breastmilk fat levels, but additional research is needed to confirm these effects [ ]. CLA has been linked to hepatitis in three case reports [ ]. However, whether CLA caused this toxicity cannot be definitively established because the products were not analyzed to rule out the presence of a contaminant.

CLA might adversely affect lipid profiles, although results from studies are inconsistent. Some research indicates that CLA has no major effect on lipid profiles, but other research shows that certain CLA isomers might decrease HDL cholesterol and increase lipoprotein a levels [ , , , ].

The CLA isomer t10,cCLA has also been reported to increase insulin resistance and glycemia in men with obesity and metabolic syndrome [ , ]. Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid in brown seaweed and other algae. Results from laboratory and animal studies suggest that fucoxanthin might promote weight loss by increasing resting energy expenditure and fatty acid oxidation as well as by suppressing adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation [ , ].

Only one clinical trial has been conducted on the possible weight-loss effects of fucoxanthin. This week trial used Xanthigen, a dietary supplement containing brown seaweed extract and pomegranate-seed oil [ ]. Compared to the placebo group, those receiving Xanthigen lost significantly more body weight by the end of the trial mean loss of 6.

The safety of fucoxanthin has not been thoroughly evaluated in humans. Although participants using Xanthigen in the clinical trial described above reported no adverse effects [ ], further investigation of the safety and potential side effects of fucoxanthin at various levels of intake is required.

Garcinia cambogia is a fruit-bearing tree that grows throughout Asia, Africa, and the Polynesian islands [ ]. The pulp and rind of its fruit contain high amounts of hydroxycitric acid HCA , a compound that has been proposed to inhibit lipogenesis, increase hepatic glycogen synthesis, suppress food intake, and reduce weight gain [ 6 , 15 , , , ].

Studies in rats have found that Garcinia cambogia suppresses food intake and inhibits weight gain [ 3 ]. In humans, however, the evidence on whether Garcinia cambogia or HCA is effective for weight loss is conflicting, and any effects it has appear to be small [ 6 , 17 , ].

In one randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 89 women who were mildly overweight mean BMI Women receiving Garcinia cambogia lost significantly more weight 3. However, Garcinia cambogia did not alter appetite, and the study produced no evidence that the supplement affected feelings of satiety.

Participants in both groups lost weight, but the between-group weight-loss differences were not statistically significant. HCA also had no effect on body fat loss. A review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials with a total of participants examined the effects of Garcinia cambogia on weight loss [ ].

Therefore, the effect of Garcinia cambogia on body weight remains uncertain. The reported adverse effects of Garcinia cambogia and HCA are generally mild and include headache, nausea, upper respiratory tract symptoms, and gastrointestinal symptoms [ , , ]. However, dietary supplements containing Garcinia cambogia have been implicated in three cases of mania, which might have been caused by the serotonergic activity of HCA [ ].

Symptoms included grandiosity an unrealistic sense of superiority , irritability, pressured speech, and decreased need for sleep. Reports have also described 10 cases of liver toxicity, resulting in one death and two liver transplants, in people taking products containing Garcinia cambogia [ 43 , ].

In most of these cases, the products contained other botanical ingredients and minerals as well, so the toxicity cannot be definitively attributed to Garcinia cambogia.

Because all clinical trials of Garcinia cambogia and HCA have been short, its long-term safety is unknown. Glucomannan is a soluble dietary fiber derived from konjac root Amorphophallus konjac that can absorb up to 50 times its weight in water [ 16 ].

Like guar gum, glucomannan has been proposed to increase feelings of satiety and fullness and prolong gastric emptying by absorbing water in the gastrointestinal tract [ 16 , , ]. It might also reduce fat and protein absorption in the gut [ 16 ]. Glucomannan appears to have beneficial effects on blood lipids and glucose levels [ ], but its effects on weight loss are inconsistent.

At the end of the study, glucomannan produced significantly greater weight loss mean loss of 2. In another study conducted in the United States, supplementation with glucomannan 3. Eight weeks of glucomannan supplementation 1.

The authors of a systematic review of six randomized controlled trials with a total of participants concluded that 1. Similarly, a meta-analysis of eight trials that included participants found that glucomannan did not significantly affect weight loss compared to placebo [ ]. The authors of an older meta-analysis of 14 studies designed primarily to investigate glucomannan's effect on lipid and blood glucose levels concluded that 1.

Little is known about the long-term safety of glucomannan. Glucomannan appears to be well tolerated for short-term use, with minor adverse effects, including belching, bloating, loose stools, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort [ , , , ].

The use of tablet forms of glucomannan was reported to be associated with seven cases of esophageal obstruction in — in Australia [ 99 ]. Users should therefore be cautious when taking glucomannan tablets. Powdered and capsule forms have not been associated with this effect [ ].

The seeds or beans of the coffee plant Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora, Coffea robusta are green until they are roasted. Compared to roasted beans, green coffee beans have higher levels of chlorogenic acid.

Green coffee extract, probably because of its chlorogenic acid content, inhibits fat accumulation in mice and humans by regulating adipogenesis. Green coffee extract also modulates glucose metabolism [ ], perhaps by reducing glucose absorption in the gut [ ].

Green coffee beans contain caffeine see section on caffeine above [ ], although decaffeinated forms are available [ 16 ]. In mice, green coffee bean extract in combination with a high-fat diet significantly reduced body weight gain and fat mass [ , ]. Only a few clinical trials have examined the effects of green coffee bean extract on weight loss in humans, and all were of poor methodological quality.

The researchers concluded that green coffee bean extract has a moderate but significant effect on body weight mean weight loss of 2. The authors of another small clinical trial claimed to show a benefit of green coffee bean extract for weight loss [ ], but the study was strongly criticized by the FTC for having several critical flaws in its design [ , ].

Two of the three study authors subsequently retracted the journal publication. Green coffee bean extract appears to be well tolerated, but its safety has not been rigorously studied. Reported adverse effects include headaches and urinary tract infections [ ].

The caffeine naturally present in green coffee beans acts as a stimulant and can cause adverse effects, depending on the dose and whether it is combined with other stimulants see section on caffeine above.

Green tea Camellia sinensis is a popular beverage consumed worldwide that has several purported health benefits [ ]. Green tea is present in some dietary supplements, frequently in the form of green tea extract. The active components of green tea that are associated with weight loss are caffeine see section on caffeine above and catechins, primarily epigallocatechin gallate EGCG , which is a flavonoid [ 41 , ].

A typical brewed cup of green tea has about — mg catechins [ ] and 45 mg caffeine. It has been suggested that green tea and its components might reduce body weight by increasing energy expenditure and fat oxidation, reducing lipogenesis, and decreasing fat absorption [ 41 , ].

Green tea might also decrease carbohydrate digestion and absorption [ ]. Available green tea extracts cover the range from minimally processed tea leaves to highly processed, manufactured concentrates of single constituents, such as EGCG.

The authors of a meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials with a total of 98 participants found that caffeine alone or in combination with catechins significantly increases energy expenditure in a dose-dependent fashion compared with placebo [ ].

This effect might be important for maintaining weight loss by helping counteract the decrease in metabolic rate that can occur during weight loss. Catechins combined with caffeine also significantly increase fat oxidation, but caffeine alone does not. Other human research indicates that EGCG alone does not increase resting metabolic rate, fat oxidation, or the thermic effect of feeding the increase in metabolic rate associated with the digestion and absorption of food [ , ].

Taken together, these findings suggest that green tea catechins and caffeine might act synergistically [ 41 , , ]. Several human studies have examined the effects of green tea catechins on weight loss and weight maintenance.

A Cochrane Review analyzed the results from 14 randomized controlled trials of green tea preparations in a total of 1, participants with overweight or obesity [ ].

The trials lasted from 12 to 13 weeks, and doses of green tea catechins ranged from to 1, mg; in 10 of the 14 trials, the green tea preparations contained caffeine. Green tea supplementation reduced body weight by a mean of 0.

However, when the authors analyzed the six studies that were conducted outside of Japan where study methodologies were less heterogeneous than in the Japanese studies , they found no statistically significant difference in weight loss for green tea compared to placebo.

The authors reported that green tea catechins combined with caffeine over a median of 12 weeks modestly yet significantly reduced body weight by a mean of 1. Only two studies in this meta-analysis examined the effects of green tea catechins alone.

Their results suggest that green tea catechins alone do not affect body weight or other anthropometric measurements. A meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials found that people who took EGCG combined with caffeine for 12—13 weeks lost a mean of 1.

In , EFSA examined health claims related to green tea and concluded that "a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of catechins including EGCG from green tea … and contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight" [ ].

Taken together, the findings of these studies suggest that if green tea is an effective weight-loss aid, any effect it has is small and not likely to be clinically relevant [ , ]. No adverse effects have been reported from the consumption of green tea as a beverage [ ].

For green tea extract, most reported adverse effects are mild to moderate, and they include nausea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, and increased blood pressure [ ]. Toxicology studies in rats and mice show that green tea extract does not cause cancer but does cause nonneoplastic lesions in many areas of the body, including the nose, liver, and bone marrow [ ].

Other evidence in mice shows that high doses of catechins cause liver toxicity. There is also increasing evidence in humans that green tea extract might cause liver damage, though the underlying mechanism is not well understood [ ]. An analysis of 1, postmenopausal women participating in the Minnesota Green Tea Trial found that women who consumed green tea extract containing 1, mg total catechins including mg EGCG and Consumption of some green tea extracts—primarily ethanolic extracts of green tea—has also been linked to liver damage in at least 50 case reports since [ 43 , ].

In , the U. Pharmacopeia USP systematically reviewed the safety of green tea products [ ]. The USP noted that problems are more likely when green tea extract is taken on an empty stomach and, therefore, advises taking green tea extracts with food to minimize the possible risk of liver damage.

Other researchers and medical experts advise using dietary supplements containing green tea extract only with caution [ ]. Guar gum is a soluble dietary fiber derived from seeds of the Indian cluster bean Cyamopsis tetragonolobus [ 16 , ]. Guar gum is present in certain dietary supplements and is an ingredient in some food products, especially gluten-free baked goods, because it helps bind and thicken these products.

Like glucomannan, guar gum is purported to promote weight loss by acting as a bulking agent in the gut; delaying gastric emptying; increasing feelings of satiety; and, theoretically, decreasing appetite and food intake [ 16 , ]. However, guar gum does not appear to enhance weight loss. In a meta-analysis of 20 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that statistically pooled data from 11 trials, Pittler and colleagues evaluated the effects of guar gum for body weight reduction in a total of adults [ ].

Trial participants included people with hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, or type 1 or type 2 diabetes; menopausal women; and healthy volunteers. Compared with placebo, guar gum had no significant effect on weight loss.

The authors concluded that guar gum is not effective for body weight reduction. Reported adverse effects for guar gum are primarily gastrointestinal and include abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, increased number of bowel movements, nausea, and cramps [ , , ].

Case reports indicate that guar gum can cause severe esophageal and small-bowel obstruction if taken without sufficient fluid [ , ]. However, these reports were about a guar gum product that is no longer available [ ].

In their meta-analysis, Pittler and colleagues concluded that given the adverse effects associated with the use of guar gum, the risks of taking it outweigh its benefits [ ].

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant that grows in the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa. The San people have traditionally used hoodia as an appetite suppressant during long hunts.

This anecdotal evidence, combined with results of a few animal studies indicating that hoodia reduces food intake [ ], led to the widespread marketing of hoodia as a weight-loss supplement in the United States in the early s. Scientists have not determined the exact mechanism whereby hoodia might suppress appetite.

A glycoside commonly called P57, which may have central nervous system activity [ ], is widely believed to be the main active ingredient, although not all researchers agree [ 16 , ]. Despite its popularity as a weight-loss supplement, very little scientific research on hoodia has been conducted in humans [ ].

Compared to placebo, hoodia extract had no significant effect on energy intake or body weight. Hoodia has been reported to cause significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure [ ].

It also raises bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels which may indicate impaired liver function , although the clinical significance of these findings is unclear because hoodia has not been reported to affect levels of other liver enzymes.

Other side effects include headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. In the past, some hoodia products were found to contain little or no hoodia [ ].

The human microbiota, which outnumber human cells by up to fold, have myriad roles in human health [ , ]. Although microbes are found throughout the human body, the vast majority inhabit the colon. The gut microbiota play an important role in nutrient and energy extraction from food.

Research in mice suggests that the gut microbiota affect not only use of energy from the diet but also energy expenditure and storage within the host [ ]. Whether these effects translate to humans is unknown. However, manipulating the gut microbiota has been proposed as a method to prevent or treat obesity in humans, and probiotics might provide a way to accomplish this.

Probiotics are in foods, such as some yogurts, as well as dietary supplements. The many different genera of probiotics include Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium, which all have widely varying effects in the body [ , ].

Much of the research on probiotics and its influence on the gut microbiota and obesity has been in mice, and the results have been promising. For example, probiotic supplementation reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation in obese mice fed a high-fat diet [ ]. In humans, however, results of clinical trials that assessed the impact of probiotics on obesity-related endpoints have been inconsistent.

In another randomized clinical trial, daily supplementation with 3. However, among the 77 female participants, the Lactobacillus supplementation did significantly reduce body weight after 12 weeks loss of 1.

Another recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials in individuals with overweight or obesity found that supplementation with various doses and strains of probiotics for 3 to 12 weeks resulted in larger reductions in body weight by 0.

However, these effects were small and of questionable clinical significance. The most recent systematic review and meta-analysis, which included 19 randomized trials in 1, participants, found that supplementation with probiotics or synbiotics products containing both probiotic organisms and prebiotic sugars, which microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract use as metabolic fuel reduced waist circumference slightly by 0.

The findings from another meta-analysis of 14 trials in adults, 5 trials in children, and 12 trials in 1, infants suggested that probiotics promote an average loss of 0.

Taken together, these results indicate that the effects of probiotics on body weight and obesity might depend on several factors, including the probiotic strain, dose, and duration as well as certain characteristics of the user, including age, sex, and baseline body weight.

Additional research is needed to understand the potential effects of probiotics on body fat, body weight, and obesity in humans.

Many probiotic strains derive from species with a long history of safe use in foods or from microorganisms that colonize healthy gastrointestinal tracts.

For these reasons, the common probiotic species—such as Lactobacillus species acidophilus, casei, fermentum, gasseri, johnsonii, paracasei, plantarum, rhamnosus, and salivarius and Bifidobacterium species adolescentis, animalis, bifidum, breve, and longum —are unlikely to cause harm [ ].

Side effects of probiotics are usually minor and consist of self-limited gastrointestinal symptoms, such as gas. In a few cases, mainly involving individuals who were severely ill or immunocompromised, the use of probiotics has been linked to bacteremia, fungemia fungi in the blood , or infections that result in severe illness [ , ].

For individuals with compromised immune function or other serious underlying diseases, the World Gastroenterology Organisation advises restricting probiotic use to the strains and indications that have proven efficacy [ ]. Pyruvate is a three-carbon compound that is generated in the body through glycolysis [ ].

Pyruvate is also available as a dietary supplement, frequently in the form of calcium pyruvate. Researchers have suggested that pyruvate enhances exercise performance and reduces body weight and body fat, possibly by increasing lipolysis and energy expenditure [ 6 , , ].

Only a few studies have examined the effects of pyruvate supplementation in humans. Although some of these studies suggest that pyruvate decreases body weight and body fat, others do not. At the end of the trial, the pyruvate group had significant decreases in body weight mean loss of 1.

In the placebo group, these measurements did not change significantly compared to baseline. However, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 23 women who were overweight mean BMI The authors of a systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials in a total of participants concluded that 5—30 g pyruvate for 3—6 weeks reduces body weight by a mean of 0.

However, the authors noted that the methodological quality of all trials is weak, preventing them from drawing firm conclusions. The safety of pyruvate has not been rigorously studied.

Pyruvate might also increase LDL levels and decrease HDL levels [ , ]. Additional research is needed to better understand the safety and possible side effects of this compound.

Several natural foods and beverages have been shown to increase metabolism and promote fat loss. These 11 healthy foods can help you burn fat. testosterone levels are important in both genders, and deficiency can cause weight gain. Here's how increased testosterone can help you lose fat. Many studies show that green tea can help you lose weight.

It contains bioactive substances that can make you burn more calories, even at rest. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant substance that is proven to increase the release of fats from the fat tissues and boost the resting metabolic…. Tribulus terrestris has been used since ancient times and boasts a long list of potential benefits.

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Soluble fiber. Dangers and limitations of fat-burning supplements. Other supplements that may help you burn fat. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History. Feb 15, Written By Ryan Raman, Molly Burford. Medically Reviewed By Adrienne Seitz, MS, RD, LDN. Sep 4, Written By Ryan Raman.

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Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board. Redeem now. Natural weight loss supplements include caffeine, green tea, green coffee bean, and African mango.

Caffeine-based supplements can trigger fat breakdown and help you burn more calories. Green tea contains EGCG, which is an antioxidant found in many weight loss supplements. Read preview. Thanks for signing up! Working with the support of integrative medicine will give you access to genetic testing, nutrient deficiency tests, and a health coach who can truly help you implement the changes that others continue to struggle with.

Are you ready for real weight loss results? This bioactive compound is part of a class of plant alkaloids, naturally occurring in shrubs like Oregon grape and barberry. In fact, it might be one of the most effective natural weight loss supplements ever.

Berberine has a long history in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Lately, this extract has received much attention for its ability to promote healthy blood sugar levels and insulin response, two factors that are key for weight loss 1. In one meta-analysis, berberine was as effective as oral glucose-lowering drugs in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels 2.

Berberine also activates an enzyme called AMPK, which stands for AMP-activate protein kinase. Carnosine is an amino acid. Carnosine has been shown to modulate the effects of metabolic syndrome, which affects nearly one in six people in the U. Metabolic syndrome can make it difficult to lose weight due to the dysregulation of insulin, blood sugar, and inflammatory proteins called advanced glycation end-products AGEs.

Carnosine is made in the body by combining the amino acids beta-alanine and histidine. However, when carnosine supplements enter the stomach, the protein is quickly broken down into individual amino acids, histidine and beta-alanine.

For this reason, studies show that supplementing with beta-alanine has been shown to raise carnosine concentrations in muscle more efficiently than carnosine itself, leading to benefits in muscle performance especially during high-intensity exercise 6. Natural supplements for weight loss such as carnosine may be of special importance for vegetarian and vegan diets.

Plant-based diets provide little to no carnosine compared to diets that contain meat. Could inflammation be driving your weight gain? Diets low in omega-3s are linked to higher inflammation, which leads to decreased insulin sensitivity in cells 7.

A natural fat burner, this blue-green alga is packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, including antioxidants, tocopherols, and phenolic compounds. Spirulina has been shown to decrease appetite, inflammation, and body fat in one study over the course of 12 weeks 8.

In addition, studies find it also modulates the production of oxidative stress produced by excess body fat. This may be one mechanism by which it supports a healthy inflammatory response.

Spirulina is a key ingredient in Belly Fix to restore digestive function and promote a healthy metabolism. Taz to restore digestive function and promote a healthy metabolism. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body.

It helps support dozens of different processes from joint health and skin elasticity to a healthy appetite and digestive function. Its power to heal the gut and satiate appetite might be behind its use for weight loss. Collagen, like other proteins, helps to activate your fullness hormone, leptin.

They are a popular part of ketogenic weight loss supplements. Proponents of MCT swear by their appetite-lowering benefits while still helping to bring energy to the brain.