When combined with proper diet and training, these key supplements can help you break that physique plateau or finally help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Athletes, fitness-minded people, and folks that need to lose weight are always looking for the next big thing that can help them reach their goals faster. The biggest searches may be for the best fat-burning supplements or ingredients. Anything that can make the diet a little easier, the workouts a little better, or help burn more calories is going to be a hit.
As with many other aspects of life, the new thing may not be the best thing. Some of the supplements that have been around for a while are still around because they’re still successful. We have five such supplements below that can help you break that plateau or finally help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Recommended: Need help losing fat? Take our free fat loss course!
A Big “But” Before We Begin
But, the key word to be acknowledged is “supplement.” In other words, these supplements can be used as a supplement to a proper nutrition plan and successful training routine. They will not replace something you don’t want to do, make up for a cheat meal you shouldn’t have had, and they can’t be used on their own. Check out our Fat Loss Guide to learn more about how to eat properly to lose weight, and then find one of our awesome training plans to follow before adding these into the mix.
1. L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is one of the 20 amino acids that make up protein. It’s also one of the nine essential amino acids that you may have read about when it comes to the intra-workout drink. However, it can be found in many of the meat and dairy products you have in your nutrition program such as meat, poultry, fish, and milk.
It can also be used in supplement form, and a 2020 study determined that it can play a supportive role in your fat loss efforts.1
The study concluded that l-carnitine supplementation significantly reduces body weight, BMI, and fat mass, especially among adults with overweight/obesity.
Further research verified that those struggling with obesity could see improvements by adding l-carnitine to their supplement regimen.2
Most of your popular l-carnitine supplements are offered within a range of 500-2,000 milligrams. The study had participants use 2,000 milligrams daily, which is safe for most people.
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- AllMax Nutrition Liquid L-Carnitine 1,200mg
- Nutrex Lipo-6 Carnitine capsules
- Ronnie Coleman Signature Series Liquid L-Carnitine 3,000mg
2. Caffeine
This is the most popular one of all, and a lot of people like their caffeine – whether it’s in the form of coffee, energy drinks, or pre-workout supplements. Yes, it can help with energy, and it’s believed to help increase metabolism, which can help you burn calories. But will it actually promote weight loss?
Related: Calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate with our BMR calculator!
In 2018, researchers determined that caffeine could potentially be a great ally in reducing weight, fat mass, and Body Mass Index (BMI).3 That statement could be made so long as the person taking the caffeine was following a sound nutrition plan and exercising regularly. So, as we mentioned before, it can’t replace bad habits, but it could possibly serve as a conjunction to forming new good habits.
If you’re new to taking caffeine, starting on the low end of the dosages would be recommended. Amounts as little as 100 milligrams a day could serve you well. If you’re a traditional coffee or tea drinker, keep that in mind when you determine the amount for you. Having your morning cup of Joe followed by an energy drink later may prove to be too much.
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3. 5-HTP
You may not have had this one on your fat loss bingo card, but it could be the key that starts your weight loss engine. 5-hydroxytryptophan, better known as 5-HTP, may not help you in the weight room or during your cardio run, but it would be tremendous support at the dining room table.
As you lose weight, your body may increase the production of hormones that will make you feel hungry more often. That hunger feeling is what curtails many people’s weight loss efforts. Supplementing with 5-HTP can counteract this, as proven by a study of 25 participants in 1998.4 The participants were given 750 milligrams of 5-HTP a day or a placebo, making it a double-blind study. The people who had the 5-HTP would eventually reduce their carbohydrate and fat intake, thus reducing their overall body weight.
Your most popular 5-HTP supplements on the market are traditionally available in 200-500 milligrams servings, which on the high end is slightly less than what the participants used. 5-HTP can also be found in food sources such as turkey, chicken, potatoes, pumpkin, collard greens, and even seaweed. Taking the supplement form would obviously be more convenient.
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4. Protein
Yes, believe it or not, your protein shake can be a big factor in how much weight and body fat you lose. We need to discuss this in detail because some weight loss-focused folks are concerned that protein will make them bigger.
It can help them increase muscle size, but high protein diets are a game changer for fat loss. A 1998 study proved that a high protein diet “is a safe method for losing weight while preserving FFM; it is thought to also prevent obesity and obesity-related diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.”5
So, the benefits go beyond the way you look. It can change the course of your overall health and wellness. It’s worth noting that the subjects in this research consumed 1.07 – 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. That may be hard to achieve daily with food alone, which is why the shakes can come in handy. There are a variety of protein powders available, including whey, soy, pea, beef, and casein.
Older adults should consider eating more protein daily as well, and not just for weight loss. It can help prevent bone loss and protect fat-free mass, the study determined. What’s better than building muscle or burning fat? Both.
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5. Ginger
You want to not only change your weight but your shape as well? Get your hands on some ginger. A group of 14 studies were analyzed and the experts determined that 1-3 grams a day of regular ginger intake reduced not only body weight but waist-to-hip ratio as well.6 You can either supplement with ginger roots or herbs, drink ginger tea or in supplement form. Supplement form may be the best and simplest option. The US Food and Drug Administration determined that up to 4 grams a day is safe.
Related: How to Reduce Inflammation With These Foods and Supplements
6. Omega-3
Another fat that makes people apprehensive about trying it is Omega-3. However, if fat loss is the goal, this could be a strong ally. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fat that is essential for many of the body’s normal functions, including brain cell development and overall cardiovascular health.
A study in 2022 confirmed that Omega-3 can also have a positive impact on “the reduction of abdominal fat mass and percentage in overweight or obese individuals on a weight loss diet.”8
You can get Omega-3 from flaxseeds, fish like salmon, trout, anchovies, and even walnuts. It is also available in supplement form.
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7. Green Coffee Extract
If you are in the early stages of a weight loss journey and have a body mass index higher than 25, then you should take a strong look at green coffee extract. That is because supplementing with GCE has been proven to support weight loss efforts when taken over a long period, meaning at least four weeks.9
It is extracted from green coffee beans, but taking it in supplement form is much more convenient and simpler. You can take it first thing in the morning or before training.
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8. Yohimbe
Yohimbe is a popular supplement for erectile dysfunction, but the ingredient can also help with weight loss, especially with elite athletes. Research in 2006 showed that soccer players lost body fat without a change in muscle mass when supplementing with Yohimbe.10
In another study, Yohimbe “significantly increased the mean weight loss in patients” where female obese outpatients received 5 mg of yohimbine over 3 weeks.11
If you are in the final stages of a long diet and want to give that final push to the finish line, adding Yohimbe may be the secret weapon to showcase more of that lean muscle you’ve been working hard to build.
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9. CLA
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a fatty acid from meat and dairy products.
Studies on CLA have concluded that it could be used for various health conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and COPD. Research has also concluded that taking 3.2 grams daily can also help with fat loss.7
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Conclusion
The research and science speak for itself, but ultimately you are responsible for what you take and have in your programs. That’s why you should consider speaking to your doctor before you start using any or all of these supplements. Should you be healthy and able to take these supplements, you can work them into your program slowly and monitor your progress throughout your weight loss journey.
