Are Weight Loss Supplements Worth It?
What do you think of the hundreds of weight loss supplements out there on the shelves today? Are they worth the money? Will they actually help you lose weight? How do you know which ones are going to work for you? Is there any proof that these products work?
I've taken some time and researched some of the most popular product to try to find the answers for you. The truth is, most products won't help you lose anything but money. There are a few, however, with some research behind them that prove that they actually work.
What are these supplements that work? It seems that only four products hold the best promise for those of us who want to slim down. They are Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Hydroxycitic Acid (HCA), phaseolomine, and possibly 5-HTP.
1. Conjugated Linoleic Acid, CLA, has a number of research studies behind it. It is a fatty acid that has been found to reduce cancer risks, body fat and to increase lean muscle tissue. The Journal of Nutrition reported a Scandanavian Research team found CLA to increase the lean body mass of humans and also to decrease the fat mass. Subjects also had lower blodd fat and cholestrol after taking CLA. CLA does occur naturally in meat and dairy products, but the levels are pretty low. Also, if you're following a healthy low-fat diet, you tend to not get as much meat and dairy, so supplementation may be the answer for getting a healthy dose of CLA.
2. Hydroxycitic Acid, HCA, is derived from a fruit, Garcinia cambogia or Malabar tamarind. It seems to work by inhibiting an enzyme that converts carbohydrates to fat. It also seems to suppress the appetite. Studies on humans have had mixed results with one study showing significant weight loss in participants. Another study using a high fiber diet, showed HCA had no effect on weight loss. Critics think the high fiber diet prevented absorbtion of the HCA. So, if you're on a high fiber diet, HCA may not be for you.
3. Phaseolomine is derived from the white kidney bean. It works by reducing your body's absorbtion of starchy carbohydrates. Since you absorb fewer calories, you lose weight. Seems like this supplement would be great to take if you knew you were going to indulge. Research has also shown that you burn more fat while taking phaseolomine. Subjects in one study lost 10% of their body fat in 30 days. Phaseolomine is typically found in carb blocker products.
4. 5HTP works by increasing the level of Serotonin in the brain resulting in more stable emotions, better sleep and weight loss. I take 5HTP myself and have found it to be an excellent appetite suppresant as well as a mild mood booster. In one study where women were given either a placebo or 5HTP and a 1200 calorie diet, those who took the placebo lost 2.28 pounds and those who took 5HTP lost 10.34 pounds. This was accomplished in 6 weeks. Are there other supplements that work? There may be others that will stand the test of time and research, but for now these are the best non-prescription supplements I've found to enhance your weight loss efforts. Good luck losing the weight you want to lose!
Valerie de Armas ©2003
All Rights Reserved
About The Author
To find other weight loss tips, advice, articles and resources, visit Valerie's Best Weight Loss web site at http://www.best-weightloss.com Be sure to subscribe to Valerie's free newsletter, "Best Weight Loss Tips" for all the best ways to lose weight.
WNQA Articles:
Discover Why A Treadclimber Is Crucial For Weight Loss And Cardio Conditioning
A TreadClimber can be your dream machine if you want to lose weight and gain lean-looking, toned thighs. This unique engineering feat combines the treadmill, stair climber and elliptical trainer. Imagine the spectacular results from all-in-one sessions on these extraordinary fat-burners! In fact, with a TreadClimber, you may be able to progress twice as fast, or alternatively cut your cardio conditioning time by as much as 50%.
Tips For Successful Parenting
It?s not the childs fault; Believe it or not, poor parenting is the main cause of bad behaviour in children.
Exercise Your Swing By A Ping Golf Club
Have you ever hit a good hit twenty yards threatening line? Did you had to endure heckling from playing partners who say, That's right where you planned.? Unfortunately, most golfers have to respond yes to both questions, because to get the ball to each time finish at the designed destination is more easy said than done. There is not less difficult way to Improve the quality of the shots you do than receiving a great new club as a PING golf club. The PING golf club is something that any golfer could mix to their arsenal & be greatful for when it is game time.
Which Aerobic Exercise Is Best For You?
Want to use aerobic exercise to keep healthy? So did I, and so do I! But when I first came upon the idea of aerobic exercise the only option was jogging, although I think ?aerobics? or really aerobic dancing was just coming in. Not for me. So I joined the band of people who went around jogging up and down the road.
Parenting Teenagers
Parenting teenagers can be something which parents may approach with a great deal of caution and even with downright apprehension. The fact that their own teenage years may have been rather challenging must make the parent of today?s teenager that much more apprehensive about managing the tantrums and desires of their teenage offspring. Will the parent be able to surmount the fear when their teenage children rebel, have hormones that are raging for more adventure, and showing attitude that defies logic leave alone comprehension?
Dating Isn't Easy Learn How to Pick up Women
Picking up women has become more difficult than it was decades ago, as people in general are more cautious and aware of security However, with the right attitude and techniques, attracting a female can be easier than you ever imagined
Sean Curley Aims to Help Humanist, Secular and Atheist Parents by Detailing Non-religious Parenting with New Book: 'Humanism for Parents - Parenting
Sean Curley aims to help humanist, secular, and atheist parents by detailing non-religious parenting with "Humanism for Parents" at Lulu.com.
Exercise Bikes: The Perfect Way To Lose Weight
You make a commitment to trim down and start an fitness program, and even set a date to get started. When you wake up, its pouring with rain. It last for almost a week, and your plan to lose weight washes away with the downpour. Now you have an opportunity to beat this trap by getting your own exercise equipment (http://www.shopfitness.co.uk/).
How To Calculate Your Pregnancy Due Date
Finding out that you?re pregnant is a very happy time. There are so many things to do like buying a crib, diapers, stroller, and much, much more!
Healthy Weight Loss By Supporting The Digestive System
Eating to a lot of processed foods is particularly unhealthy. This can lead to a build up of undigested food in the intestines, which causes the bacteria in the gut to interact with the undigested food; as a result toxic gases and chemicals are released. These inner toxins are called endotoxins. They can cause substantial damage to the mucosal lining of the gut. When this damage occurs the toxins will enter the bloodstream and circulate into the rest of the body.
A Treadmill Exercise Routine Provides Advantages For Your Health
Studies have shown that walking is the premiere exercise. It can be done by almost anyone at anytime. Walking on a regular basis helps one live longer and healthier.
Tips To Deal with Exercise Induced Asthma
For approximately 80-90% of people that suffer from asthma, exercise can be a strong stimulus for an attack. This syndrome has become known as exercise induced asthma or EIA.
Menstrual Cycles And Ovarian Cysts
In the post-menopausal group, I would say 50 percent of those are going to have a cancer risk associated with the cyst, and certainly as one gets older than 50, that increase goes markedly up. Certainly if a 75-year-old woman came in with any type of cyst, that should be looked into aggressively. So the problem in management really is when you have a prepubital girl who comes in and has a documented large cyst, you're going to operate. The post-menopausal woman is going to be followed very aggressively and most likely, she's going to be operated on. The key in management is, the challenge is, well how do you manage the reproductive age group? Which is the majority of where these cysts show up and we'll talk about here, that in a minute.