A friend recently asked me if I knew of any “natural” diet pills to help with her weight loss journey.  This question (a great question, and one I’m sure many people attempting to lose weight have wondered), led me to write this blog post.

So, I dug in, and did some research, and found some awesome information that I’d like to share with y’all.  Hope this information helps you on your own journey!

I want to start by saying a healthy diet and exercise is the best way to shed excess pounds and get healthy, and my family and I have experienced great success with the Paleo diet and BeachBody On Demand exercise programs (I am not affiliated with BeachBody, I just love their work out programs); however, these supplements may boost you to the next level, and/or help you get started.

• Raspberry Ketones: encourage fat cells in the human body to secrete high levels of adipocentin.  Adiponectin is a hormone produced by fat cells that helps control weight gain, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.  A 2004 study on raspberry ketones found that when they were given to mice in concentrated form, the mice experienced rapid weight loss with no change in diet.  Dr. Oz calls theses bad boys “the #1 miracle in a bottle to burn your fat”.  Um, I don’t know about you, but I can’t get over to Amazon fast enough to try these out!
• Green Tea Extract: In a study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea extract significantly increases your energy expenditure (increases your metabolism), while also helping your body oxidize fat (burn fat).  Yes, please!  You can reap the benefits of this extract by having a daily cup of green tea, or taking it in supplement form.
• Capsaicin Extract: (from cayenne peppers) A study, supported by The McCormick Spice Company, and the National Institutes Of Health, found that mixing 1/2 teaspoon into food, or taking in supplement form, assisted people to burn about 10 more calories in a four hour period, compared to eating the same thing without the extract.  The peppers also helped to curb the appetite, and boost the metabolism, of the study participants.  Not too shabby for a little pepper, eh??
• Garcina Cambogia: A study in 2004 found that the extract (from a fruit in Asia) was linked to reduction in body weight, and BMI, and had a positive effect on cholesterol, appetite suppression, serotonin levels, leptin and triglycerides.  The compound, in the rind of the fruit, which is responsible for these (pretty amazing) benefits is called Hydroxycitric Acid, or HCA.  It works by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for turning excess carbs into fat.  Instead, they are burned as energy, and production of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides decreased.  The increase in serotonin is also linked to appetite suppression in many studies.  Whew, that is one awesome fruit!

I hope this post helps you find the right weight loss supplement for your journey!  I’d love to hear from you.  What are your favorite weight loss supplements?

XOXO,

Naturally Liz