Obesity has long been a global problem. And what do we do with problems? We solve them. At least that’s what we should do. However, using people’s pain points has shown itself to be a very easy way to make profits. So instead of solving the ongoing obesity pandemic, a dark, dark world of fad diets and “miraculous supplements” was created. People asked “how to lose weight” and companies answered, “by buying our magic pills, potions and diet plans”.
However, it didn’t take long for us to realize that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Unfortunately, to this very day, there are no weight loss supplements that will lose weight for you while you eat whatever you want and watch Netflix 24/7 without moving a finger. But are all supplements a scam?
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How to Tell the Difference Between Scam Supplements and Credible Products?
In case you’re still struggling to find out what the true way to lose weight is, I have two words for you. Caloric deficit. When your body burns more calories than you consume, you lose weight. Products that claim that you don’t need to change your diet or exercise to lose weight are a scam 100% of the time.
Unlike “miraculous” “revolutionary” and “scientific-breakthrough” products, credible supplements aren’t labelled with fancy buzz words. Most of the time, they come in simple packaging labelled with something not too exciting like “weight loss support”. Effective weight loss vitamins don’t claim that you’ll lose weight fast in a specific amount of time. Instead, they state that they complement a healthy diet.
It’s really easy to fact-check whether a product is really healthy or lives up to its name. Most of the time your doctor or pharmacist can confirm whether you should or shouldn’t use certain weight control vitamins. If they aren’t familiar with the product, you can also research the brand online. Beware though, scammers often put up fake reviews and quote bogus sources.
Just like some people attribute their shower thoughts to Albert Einstein to sound smart on the internet, fraudulent companies attribute things to reputable scientists no one’s ever heard of. While reading that a certain product is backed by “a study led by M.D. PhD B. Banner”, check whether this doctor actually exists or is he a green product of someone’s imagination.
Do Supplements Really Do Anything?
But why would you need supplements if your diet is already healthy? Well, in theory, losing weight is quite simple but when you put it into practice and consider other aspects such as body composition, health and wellbeing, things get more complicated. When you’re on a restrictive diet, you don’t only limit your calorie intake, but you also limit a plethora of nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy and strong.
That’s when weight loss vitamins come and save the day i.e diet. While vitamin supplements for weight loss can’t, I repeat, can’t shed the kilos for you, they can do several other things.
Shredding the Right Stuff
For instance, if you’re losing weight at the gym, your body will need a higher protein intake to bounce back after strenuous exercise and burn fat instead of muscle. If you fail to meet your protein macros, healthy weight loss supplements such as whey protein can fill in the gaps.
Filling in the Gaps
Then, macros aren’t the only thing that fuels your body. Although when it comes to weight loss, you rarely hear about tracking your micronutrients, this is equally important. For example, if you’re losing weight on Keto, you’re probably skipping on a myriad of fresh fruits and veggies. This can leave your body hungry for vitamins and minerals.
Micronutrient deficiency can lead to a long list of scary diseases and conditions which can make weight loss seem like the least of your worries. To avoid health problems such as osteoporosis, anaemia, thyroid deficiency and cardiovascular diseases, your doctor or nutritionist may recommend taking a certain weight loss vitamin formula to keep your body healthy and strong.
Moving Past Stagnation
As far as fat burners go, or should I say the most controversial weight loss supplements of them all, if you learn how and why to use them, they can be a great ally on your weight loss journey. For instance, if you’re dieting for a long period you may experience something called a weight-loss plateau. This happens when your body goes into “panic” mode due to calorie deficiency and shuts down your weight loss process.
Our bodies get used to whatever we decide to throw at them and do everything in their power to keep us alive and kicking. While this is certainly a wholesome move, (way to go bodies!) it can really be frustrating if it happens when you’re nowhere near your healthy weight. When this happens, the right fat burner can put your body in gear and give your metabolism the push it needs to put the weight loss in motion.
Which Vitamin Supplements Support Healthy Weight Loss?
The first thing you’ve learned in school was the ABC. If you’re just starting your weight loss journey, there’s another alphabet that you’ll need to master – the ABC of vitamins. Knowing your micronutrients is crucial if you want to lose weight yet keep yourself healthy. So without further ado, let’s get straight to it.
Vitamin A
First on the list of vitamins that support weight loss is vitamin A also known as retinol. While you certainly won’t shred kilos solely by popping Vit A pills, retinol supplementation can help your body flush out toxins and protect you from the effects of free radicals. Beware though, too much Vitamin A can be harmful, so make sure to consult a health professional on whether you need to include it in your diet via supplementation.
Vitamin B
Vitamins from the B-complex are crucial for the metabolism of fat, protein and carbs. Being responsible for such an important process, B-vitamins have a direct impact on your energy levels. For instance, vitamin B-1 helps your body to convert carbs into energy. Without this micronutrient doing its job, you’ll struggle with low energy levels and your weight loss journey will be way more difficult.
Vitamin C
Probably the most famous of all vitamins, vitamin C gets all the hype for a reason. Not only that this powerful antioxidant has strong free-radicals quenching properties, but it can also aid weight loss. A study published by NCBI PubMed has shown that individuals with adequate Vit C intake oxidize 30% more fat during moderate exercise than Vit C depleted individuals.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is hard to obtain from food, especially if you’re on a restricting diet. That’s why this fat-soluble vitamin is often recommended by nutritionists and health professionals. Vitamin D is responsible for many things. It keeps your immune system in top condition, prevents bone diseases and even fights depression. What’s more, the sun-loving vitamin can help obese people lose stubborn belly fat.
Closing Thoughts
Although the ABC of vitamins certainly doesn’t stop here, let’s leave something for the next time, shall we? All things considered, it’s clear why your body needs weight loss supplements. Of course, you can manage to shed kilos without them, but they can provide the helping hand you need when things get hard. With that being said, you’re now ready to ace your weight loss journey the healthy way, without sacrificing your wellbeing for a slim figure.
