Getting your body to a healthy composition is sexy.
It’s healthy.
It can add enjoyment to your life
…and it’s a heck of a lot of work.
Realistically, you could spend more money on buying supplements than it would cost to get liposuction if you purchased every product on radio or TV, but we thought we’d make the process a little simpler. Take a look at our top 5.
In order of importance, here are the five best supplements that we believe will help you lose fat.
- Probiotic
- Multivitamin
- Whey Protein Isolate
- Fish Oil
- CLA
Probiotics
The root of your body’s ability to function like a fat burning machine is dependent on its nutrition. The food you eat enters your blood stream through proper digestion and absorption. Probiotics help to smooth that process by replenishing your system with good bacteria for a more complete breakdown of your food. Many studies show a decrease in body fat and some even show a decrease in how frequently people got sick while taking probiotics.
Multivitamin
Similar to our #1, your body will function according to its nutrition. Most people just count carbs, protein and fat but the reality is that the magic happens in the micronutrients. Not all multivitamins are created equal! Those bargain bin multivitamins may cost $30 less but the $20 you just spent on bargain multivitamins was a waste of time and money. Consumer’s Reports released a report a few years ago that detailed some bargain-bin supplements didn’t have any of the advertised supplement in the bottle…
Even if the bargain manufacturer puts the advertised supplement in the bottle, there are multiple forms of each nutrient. Some barely absorbable and some nearly completely absorbable. It’s impossible to get everything a multivitamin should provide in a single pill. Look for a pill pack or 3-6 in a daily dose.
Whey Protein Isolate
We specify Isolate because this article relates to weight loss. Pure isolate is quickly absorbed by the body and doesn’t have a chalky aftertaste like its casein or milk concentrate cousins. It helps mobilize fat, curb cravings and build muscle (which burns fat). Many people experience added benefit if they have it right in the morning or before bed.
Fish Oil
High levels of inflammation is the first step toward declined health and a body that holds on to fat. Fish Oil is one of the best ways to start clearing that out systematically. EPA and DHA are where the magic is. If your bottle says “From other sources”, that other source is usually from a plant form of omega-3, which is dramatically harder for your body to absorb. High EPA will target your body’s inflammation while high DHA will target your brain to reportedly improve thinking and memory. Many experts recommend a minimum of 1-2 grams daily while cautioning that it can have a blood-thinning effect.
CLA
CLA is the abbreviation for conjugated linoleic acid. Besides showing potential benefits in fighting cancer, inflammation and raising the immune system, this element which is naturally found in high amounts in grass-fed meats can help reduce body fat.
As always, check with your doctor before including any of these in your regimen but checking that you have a solid nutrition plan and starting with these supplements should give you a great jump on fat loss.
Good luck!
Nate Furlong is a nationally recognized expert on health, fitness and nutrition. He is a speaker, writer and content expert for the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He has credentials in Health Fitness and Rehabilitative Programs, ACSM Exercise Physiologist, Functional Movement Screen Practitioner, Massage therapist and more.