Weight loss supplements: Interventions that work

Quacks and cranks have long tried to peddle an assortment of weight loss supplements, appetite suppressants and metabolism boosters on a gullible public.

Because of this, weight loss supplements have gained a bad reputation.

But there are effective weight loss supplements that aid weight loss in varying ways…

Some decrease your appetite; some increase your metabolism; and others improve digestive health to lower inflammation.  It’s important to differentiate between these is so you will know which ones are important for your success.

Do you suffer with constipation and bowel dysbiosis (and therefore “leaky gut” autoimmune hypersensitivity)? Do you need to detoxify your body and clean out your liver first? Do you already eat nutrient-rich foods and therefore merely need a higher metabolism? Or maybe you just need to eat less food?

I’m going to assign weight loss supplements into functional categories to help you recognize where to begin. Remember that supplements are only a small part of an effective long-term weight loss treatment that should include exercise and a healthy diet.

Peak Colon Support^™

A staggering 70,000,000 people suffer from digestive issues, such as occasional bouts of constipation, upset stomach, bloating and gas. Relief from drug store remedies is often short-lived. But the simple solution to this embarrassing problem is… MORE⟩⟩

Sweet food taste blocker: safe for long term use

• Gymema sylvestre herbal drops onto your tongue before meals helps block the taste of sweet/sugar

Fat burning metabolism enhancers are safe for short-term use

• Garcinia Cambogia promotes body fat loss in humans–as much as 5.4 percent in two months in one study–without stimulating the central nervous system. The extract of Garcinia Cambogia is HCA (hydroxycitric acid) which has been show to “increase serotonin availability, reduce appetite, increase fat oxidation, improve blood lipid levels, reduce body weight, and [safely] modulate a number of obesity regulatory genes…” ^[1] at the dose of 1,500 mg three times daily.
• CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) at 3.2 grams total daily for two weeks at a time with at least three days break before resuming. Add a stimulant for faster results.
• Forskolin (Plectranthus barbatus) 125 mg twice daily significantly decreases body fat mass, increases lean body mass and serum free testosterone levels ^[2] B complex and B12 injections or oral supplementation for two to four months
• Grapefruit, apple cider vinegar, honey: combine 1 cup grapefruit juice, 2 tsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp honey before meals to burn fat. Be aware that grapefruit also shuts down liver detoxification enzymes (medication and unnatural molecules must have this or they can build up in your body)

Peak Digestion^™

Gas, stomach upset, loose bowels, stomach cramps, headache and fatigue. These are all symptoms of a problem more common than you may think: Gluten intolerance. It’s often linked to autoimmune issues. Instead of the body digesting the protein, it treats gluten as an… MORE⟩⟩

Liver function enhancers are safe for long term use

• Milk thistle (Silymarium) helps protect liver cells from toxic substances
• Selenium and α-lipoic acid (ALA) support P450 liver enzymes to function properly
• Consume liver supporting foods – onions, garlic, artichoke, beets, burdock, leafy green vegetables

Digestion enhancers

• Digestive enzymes (plant source) with meals and Betaine HCL (natural stomach acid for digestion)
• Cascara sagrada or senna to get GI tract moving only for 10 days at a time, then rest the bowels for several days before using again
• L-glutamine 1,000 mg taken 30 minutes before meals reduces insulin and enhances glucose utilization. It also supports a healthy small intestinal lining
• Bitter herbs, essential oils (i.e. peppermint) will stimulate digestion

Bowel cleansers

• Cascara sagrada or senna to get GI tract moving only for 10 days at a time, then rest the bowels for several days before using again.
• Psyllium fiber as husks causes a feeling of fullness. Also consume at least six servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
• Glucomannan is food gelling agent so it absorbs water much like psyllium and slows the absorption of sugar in the gut.

[1] Downs BW, Bagchi M, Subbaraju GV, Shara MA, Preuss HG, Bagchi D. Bioefficacy of a novel calcium-potassium salt of (-)-hydroxycitric acid. Mutat Res. 2005 Nov 11;579(1-2):149-62..

[2] Godard MP, Johnson BA, Richmond SR. Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese men. Obes Res. 2005 Aug;13(8):1335-43.