When it comes to successful weight loss and maintaining that weight, the most important factors are a nutritious diet rich in vitamins and minerals, consistent physical activity, and an attainable and protected calorie deficit. Nevertheless, the allure of losing weight quickly is hard to deny, leading to the rise in popularity of over-the-counter weight loss pills and nutrients.
Do the weight loss pills actually fulfill the promises they make, or are they just a scam? What processes lead to weight reduction and how might that affect the body? We asked clinical pharmacist Mike Wakeman of CurraNZ to share evidence-based insight into the claims about these popular weight loss pills and supplements:
Weight Loss Pills: Do They Work?
According to Wakeman, weight loss supplements can be grouped according to their proposed action–products that inhibit the absorption of fat or carbohydrates, substances that increase the burning of calories, substances that can alter metabolism and affect body composition, and items that reduce hunger and give the feeling of being full.
Weight loss pills which are easy to find are ones that impede the absorption of carbohydrates and fat. Wakeman suggests that a potential way to decrease calorie consumption and shed pounds is to prevent the digestion of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It could be possible that these are starches, which is a form of carbohydrate, or dietary fats.
He clarifies that starches, which are complex carbohydrates, require the digestive enzyme amylase to be broken down before they can be digested. Compounds known as amylase inhibitors, sometimes labelled starch blockers, inhibit the digestion of starches, making them unable to be taken into the body. When the action of amylase is impeded, the carbohydrates move through the body unprocessed, therefore not taken in as energy.
Fat blockers restrict the body’s uptake of fat, thus reducing the quantity absorbed. He proposes that chitosan, a polysaccharide gotten from the external skeletons of marine crustaceans, has the capacity to link 4 to 6 grams of dietary fat per gram, consequently avoiding the capacity for it to penetrate the body.
Fat metabolizers are also popular weight loss pills. According to Wakeman, substances that are generally used for weight loss raise metabolism – meaning the total energy expended – or create a reduction in appetite. The substance might also disintegrate fat located in fat cells, called adipocytes, and keep up with weight reduction by raising the metabolic rate and burning more calories through thermogenesis.
These are just three of the over-the-counter options available. No matter what method is used, weight loss pills are alleged to help people shed pounds or make it simpler to do so with other approaches. Is there any proof from science that these supplements are worthwhile, or would you simply be tossing your money away?
Both can be true. Certain research is supported by the industry, while others are brief and featuring minimal amounts of individuals. Little is known about the long-term efficacy and security of numerous of these nutritional supplements. We investigate the frequently used weight-loss drugs and dietary supplements, and discuss the scientific evidence and any potential side effects of them.
1. Garcinia Cambogia Extract
Garcinia cambogia is a plant with a shape reminiscent of a pumpkin, which is found in South Asia. The skin of the fruit carries hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is derived from citric acid, and is thought to be useful for weight reduction. Garcinia cambogia is suggested to decrease the amount of fat present in the blood and stop the formation of new fats by binding to an enzyme named citrate lyase. Wakeman remarks that HCA is believed to lead to higher serotonin levels in the brain, which in turn is known to cause suppressed hunger.
Is it effective? Maybe. Studies done on humans have revealed that taking Garcinia Cambogia extract can lead to a slight decrease in weight, with some studies demonstrating no significant change. An investigation of nine experiments with a mean duration of 8-12 weeks and involving doses of 1-2.8 grams daily showed a small yet noticeable shift in weight loss in comparison to the placebo, according to Wakeman. The average weight loss observed was roughly 1 kilogram. He states that unfortunately individuals in the group taking HCA experienced twice as many digestive issues than those taking the placebo.
Side effects: Digestive discomfort.
2. Blackcurrant Anthocyanins
A type of antioxidant called anthocyanins are included in the flavonoids group and are present in the skins of grapes, blackcurrants, blueberries and cranberries. They give fruits and berries their red colour. According to Wakeman, research indicates that compounds called anthocyanins that are found in New Zealand grown black currants can aid with fat burning. ‘Anthocyanin concentrations are highest in blackcurrants from New Zealand.’
Is it effective? It appears to be. According to Wakeman, a study determined that males who had daily intake of 600mg of CurraNZ blackcurrant extract for two weeks exhibited an increase in whole-body fat oxidation during moderate intensity exercise. Those individuals had an average 11% increase after week one and an average of 17% increase after week two. ‘Another research study found that the extract could burn fat by 30 per cent on average, while other data looked at fat oxidation during prolonged cycling in endurance-trained females and identified an average of 27 per cent increase in fat burning – with some participants showing increases of up to 55 per cent.’ The resulting improvements to fat burning, he says, were equivalent to undertaking endurance exercise every day for three to four weeks.
It is generally well-tolerated to take blackcurrant supplements, but it is recommended to avoid consuming them prior to surgery, as it may raise the chances of profuse bleeding, and could affect the anaesthetic used.
3. Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is often used in diet products because of its chief antioxidant, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin. Green tea extract has been suggested to be capable of raising the activity of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter responsible for stimulating the body to break down fat and use it to generate energy. Is it effective? It appears to be. Studies indicate that green tea catechins are able to boost the rate of fat burning, decrease yearnings for food, and prevent the intake of nutrients, as reported by Wakeman. He states that an intense examination of 15 different trials including more than 1,200 individuals revealed that green tea combined with caffeine reduced BMI, body mass, and waist size much more than caffeine only. Side effects: Well tolerated, though it does contain caffeine.
4. Green Coffee Bean Extract
Unroasted coffee beans are the same as regular coffee beans but they have not been through the roasting process. In addition to its high caffeine levels, these substances also include phenolic compounds referred to as chlorogenic acids (CGAs), which reduce the digestion rate of carbs in the stomach. According to Wakeman, studies have demonstrated that drinking coffee can help lower the chances of getting diabetes, and this advantage to health is thought to be from the CGA component of coffee.
Is it effective? It appears to be, but more research is needed. Wakeman states that research conducted with the aid of humans has demonstrated that a standard decaffeinated green coffee bean extract has the potential to substantially decrease a person’s weight and the amount of blood glucose in the blood after consuming a meal when the person is consider overweight or obese.
Side effects: The same side effects as caffeine. Chlorogenic acid may also cause diarrhea.
Factors To Consider Prior To Purchasing A Weight Loss Supplement
Be careful when choosing the best weight loss supplement for your requirements. It is not possible to choose any type of supplement and start using it. What if it does not succeed? What if it causes negative effects? These are some considerations you must make.
When it comes to selecting a weight loss supplement, there could be a great deal to think about, which might be intimidating. To make it easier, we gathered a collection of them. The best feature of this tutorial is that it can be employed for items that are not included on this list. Before buying something, here are some important points to take into account.
Servings
We all desire goods with exceptionally potent ingredients that only require one dosage per day. Some weight loss supplements have instructions which include taking one pill a day, but the vast majority do not require this.
Therefore, search for goods with fewer pills each bottle. There will be less of a need to monitor your medication intake if there are fewer tablets left in the bottle since you will be taking fewer of them each day. Also, products with fewer tablets may be of superior quality since there is no space for additives or unnecessary parts.
Authorized Dosage
When looking for a weight loss product, make sure to select one that contains the ideal amount of active ingredients. A negligible quantity of specific fat-burning compounds has no effect at all. In many cases, weight loss supplements sold without a prescription are not effective due to inadequate levels of the active ingredients.
Consequently, look for items that contain the necessary components, as suggested by experts from research.
Cash-Back Assurance
All weight loss products advertised claim to have remarkable qualities. It is an exact fact that thermogenic weight loss supplements are able to incinerate fat, raise awareness, and minimize appetite, among other advantageous outcomes. However, not all thermogenic fat-burning products perform these functions.
A money-back guarantee is a way for the company to demonstrate to its customers that it is confident in its products. You have the assurance that if the weight loss supplement does not produce results after a couple of weeks of use, you can return it for a refund.
Simulants Or Non-Stimulant
Stimulants are crucial components of OTC weight loss pills. You can utilize them to increase your vitality, dampen your appetite, and heighten your concentration. They contribute significantly to achieving your physique objectives.
However, not everyone can benefit from stimulants. Individuals who consume stimulants such as green tea extract may feel queasy or have anxiousness. For certain people, this feature is more damaging than advantageous.
You must investigate the consequences of taking stimulants and decide if it is worth utilizing a supplement which contains them to aid in losing weight. Most weight loss pills have stimulants in them, but there are also products without stimulants.
Thermogenic weight loss supplements can be great for avoiding gut irritation since they possess appetite-reducing properties and don’t rev up the metabolism.
Budget
The expense of weight loss supplements is comparable to that of other items. The higher cost of premium items is mainly caused by the materials and techniques used in their manufacture.
Many people do not think that opting for cheaper alternatives is less effective. Occasionally they may not be, but often they are.
Thus, you must figure out how much you can afford to pay for a weight loss product. It is important to keep in mind that you need to repeatedly purchase this item, so how much are you able to spend monthly? Remember this when you put together your budget, and only select brands that are within that price range.
It is a good idea to select the most expensive, top-notch item since it will give the best outcomes. However, do not confuse overpricing with quality. Make sure that the product you select is appropriately priced based on its quality.
Top-Performing Fat-Burning Ingredients
All of the most effective weight loss pills for men include at least one of the following ingredients:
Caffeine
Caffeine is an energizer. It is suitable for providing energy and improving focus and alertness. Due to these two characteristics, it is a successful ingredient to be used in weight-loss medicines.
However, coffee may help with weight loss by boosting the body’s metabolism and its ability to generate heat.
Extract of Green Tea
The concentrate extracted from green tea leaves has become a sought-after substance for burning fat. This is not unexpected. Many studies have shown the ability of this to help with weight loss by raising metabolism and thermogenesis.
Despite the small amount of caffeine found in green tea extract, studies have indicated that its ability to have an impact on metabolism and thermogenesis is mostly thanks to the catechins within the tea, also known as antioxidants.
Extract of Chili Pepper
Cayenne pepper extract frequently shows up in dishes that have a kick of heat, for example chili con carne. The spiciness comes from a chemical called capsaicin.
Capsaicin can help people lose weight by increasing their metabolism and body heat production. In addition, it reduces hunger, so you can eat less without feeling famished.
Many producers pick to provide Capsimax as a great addition to any weight loss supplement, despite the fact that cayenne is a great enhancement.
Capsimax is a powerful form of cayenne pepper extract that is gently absorbed by the digestive system.
Green Coffee Bean
Unroasted coffee beans contain not much to no caffeine and are high in chlorogenic acid. Nevertheless, when coffee beans are dried and roasted, the order is flipped around.
Green coffee beans contain chlorogenic acid which controls insulin production and diminishes people’s need for sugar.
Conclusion
If you’ve put in the work to read this article, you should be aware that choosing a successful weight loss supplement is not something you should rush. If you’ve had bad experiences with losing weight supplements in the past, you know firsthand that a lot of them don’t work as well as their makers say they do.
Some of them are deficient in providing support or might not work at all. Furthermore, many slimming supplements have adverse reactions.
Finding an effective weight loss supplement might be difficult. So, we created a list of the best weight loss supplements. Different approaches may facilitate rapid weight loss, but even though a few of them include related ingredients, the advantages they offer are slightly different.
When selecting a weight loss supplement, it is important to weigh the characteristics and benefits and pick the one that suits your needs best.
