In the past, if you were looking to lose weight, you would have no choice but to lower your portions and work hard in the gym, and although these are still very important parts of the weight loss equation today, it is fair to day that you might not have to be quite as discipline or work quite so hard to see results, thanks to the wide range of weight loss aids currently available.
Of course, there are a lot of alleged weight loss supplements and diet pills out there that are not only not effective, but often pretty unsafe for the average person to take too, So, if you are looking to lose weight the safe and efficient way, you need to know which supplements and medications are worth your time, and which are not.
That being the case, below, we’ll focus on some of the best weight loss aids that are worth your time because they have been found to be safe and effective to use.
Semaglutide
You’ve probably heard of Semaglutide, often referred to as the skinny jab, in recent months, but is it worth it? Semaglutide is a game-changing weight-loss medication, initially developed for type 2 diabetes. It mimics a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 that reduces hunger and increases feelings of fullness. Studies have shown impressive results, with one showing participants losing an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Moreover, it has shown to improve several cardiovascular risk factors. So, if you are serious about weight loss and have a lot to lose, it is definitely worth talking to your doctor about it.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide, another promising medication initially meant for managing type 2 diabetes, has shown remarkable potential for weight loss, so it is not surprising that the conversation around diet pills is often centered around tirzepatide vs semaglutide these days, but is tirzepatide worth it? Basically, it works by mimicking two natural hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, leading to lower blood sugar levels, reduced hunger, and enhanced calorie burning. Trials have demonstrated significant weight loss, with one study finding participants lost an average of 20% of their body weight over a 40-week period. Further studies are underway to confirm its safety and efficacy for long-term use, but if these prove positive, it could be even more effective than semaglutide!
Extract of Garcinia Cambogia
The rind of this squash-like fruit is packed with hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the powerhouse ingredient of garcinia cambogia extract that’s frequently found in diet pills. A 2011 assessment of 12 different studies revealed an average weight loss of roughly 2 pounds over multiple weeks. So, although it might not be the powerhouse that the above weight loss aids are, if you are looking for something natural that will give your own weight loss efforts a little boost, it may well be worth adding to your arsenal.
Hydroxycut
Hydroxycut features a blend of ingredients that are said to promote weight loss, such as caffeine and various plant extracts. One study of noted found that Hydroxycut was linked to a weight reduction of 21 lbs in a 3-month span, which is actually pretty good going, and almost equivalent to 2 pounds per week.
Caffeine
Caffeine is famous for its metabolism-boosting properties and is a staple in numerous weight-loss products. Research indicates that caffeine can elevate metabolism by about 3-11% and enhance fat burning by up to 29%, which means it is ideal for those of you who want to actually burn away excess fat instead of losing weight in a more generalized way, It will help you target those pesky fat stores far more effectively than diet and exercise alone.
Orlistat (Alli)
Orlistat, available both over-the-counter as Alli and by prescription as Xenical, operates by obstructing fat digestion in the gut, leading to a decrease in caloric intake from fat. A collective analysis of 11 studies showed that Orlistat increased weight loss by 6 pounds in comparison to a placebo.
Raspberry Ketones
Found naturally in raspberries and also available in synthetic form, raspberry ketones are known to accelerate fat breakdown and raise levels of the hormone adiponectin, linked to weight loss. They are not as effective as some of the other supplements in this list, however, so if you are looking for serious weight loss, you should perhaps combine raspberry ketones with other supplements.
Extract of Green Coffee Bean
Green coffee beans are essentially unroasted coffee beans loaded with caffeine and chlorogenic acid, both associated with weight loss. Caffeine enhances fat burning, while chlorogenic acid slows carbohydrate breakdown in the gut. Multiple studies have suggested that green coffee bean extract can support weight loss, with a research review concluding that it resulted in an additional loss of 5.4 pounds compared to a placebo.
Glucomannan
This fiber comes from the roots of the elephant yam plant. It soaks up water, transforming into a gel-like substance. In this state, it lingers in your gut promoting feelings of fullness, so if you are someone who struggled with overeating due to never quite feeling as satisfied as you maybe should, it could be an excellent supplement to add to your weight toolbox. In conjunction with a healthy diet, three human studies revealed that glucomannan helped participants lose between 8 and 10 pounds in 5 weeks.
Meratrim
Meratrim is a blend of two plant extracts believed to alter fat cell metabolism. It purportedly aids weight loss by impeding fat cell multiplication, limiting the amount of fat cells absorb from the bloodstream, and promoting the burning of stored fat. A rigorous 8-week study involving 100 participants on a strict 2,000 calorie diet with Meratrim reported an average weight loss of 11 pounds and reduced levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides (a form of fat in our blood).
Garlic, ginger and cinnamon
If you do not want to add any supplements to your diet, then it might be worth thinking about the seasonings you use to add flavor to your food instead. Not only are garlic, ginger and cinnamon amongst the most flavorsome foodstuffs around, but they are also great at helping your body to lose weight too.
For one thing, they make food more satisfying, which means you are less likely to overeat overall, but they have also been shown to have a thermogenic effect on the body, which causes your temperature to rise, and this means you burn ore calories overall as a result.
Not only that, but cinnamon may even assist in regulating blood sugar, which can help to keep you away from the snacking and junk food, and a study of garlic found that around 2-5 percent of a mouse’s body weight could be burned off in 15 weeks if they ate more of the allium. Although this was an animal study, researchers believe garlic could have a similar impact in human weight loss too, and if nothing else, your meals will be at least 50 percent more delicious with the addition of garlic, ginger and cinnamon!
Whatever weight loss aids you choose to use, it is important to first consult your doctor, and also to remember that weight loss is still mostly about what you eat and how much you move around. It does not matter what supplements and medications you take to lose weight; if you still continue to eat more calories that your body expends or choose to sit on the couch each night instead of hitting the gym, your weight is going to experience very little change!
