If you’ve been eating low-calorie and low-fat foods while exercising regularly but haven’t seen any change on the scale, your body might be lacking certain vitamins and supplements that support weight loss.
To be completely honest, vitamins and supplements alone won’t make the weight disappear without significant changes to your diet. However, when used correctly, they can assist in your weight loss journey. Many people have some level of nutrient deficiency in their diets, especially if they frequently eat out or consume processed foods.
Additionally, the right supplements can help you achieve various goals. Whether you’ve reached a weight loss plateau or are eager to enhance your diet efforts, vitamins and supplements might be the solution. We’ve identified the best vitamins and supplements for weight loss based on scientific research. You can try one or combine a few to boost your overall health and get the scale moving in the right direction!
This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free. Please read our disclosure for more information.
Glutamine is an amino acid crucial for your body to build protein, which helps maintain muscle mass. Since muscle is vital for burning calories, a deficiency in glutamine can hinder your weight loss efforts. A 2014 study found that women who took glutamine supplements for four weeks—without altering their diets or exercise routines—lost more weight than those who only took a protein supplement. The researchers concluded that glutamine is “safe and effective” for weight loss.
Glutamine can be found in foods like beans, spinach, and cabbage, but if you don’t consume enough of these daily, a supplement may be the best way to boost your glutamine levels. One of my favorite brands for this supplement is Optimum Nutrition.
The LeanBean fat burner targets unwanted fat and includes 12 natural fat-burning ingredients to ignite your metabolism. This weight loss supplement is designed to enhance your energy and metabolism with natural components like Garcinia Cambogia, turmeric, green coffee extract, green tea extract, cayenne pepper, and more. It also contains konjac fiber and raspberry ketones, known for their appetite-suppressing properties, along with vitamins from ingredients like acai berry, raspberry ketones, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Best of all, this pill is specifically formulated for women.
You can find customer feedback, including videos and before-and-after results, on the official website. Check out the LeanBean fat burner here.
Matcha green tea is one of my personal favorites due to its numerous health benefits. Green tea is a popular weight loss supplement because of the antioxidant EGCG, which can enhance your metabolism during exercise. However, matcha green tea contains even more EGCG than regular green tea, making it more effective for weight management.
Matcha green tea is available in powder form, allowing you to extract more nutrients than from loose or bagged tea leaves. While matcha has a slightly bitter taste, you can easily adapt to it. If you prefer, you can mix it into your favorite smoothies without noticing the flavor. My favorite way to enjoy matcha is in a latte made with non-dairy milk like oat, coconut, or almond milk. It’s also delicious iced, but be sure to mix the matcha with a bit of hot water first to help it dissolve.
This type of weight loss supplement works best when combined with exercise, as it boosts your metabolism and energy levels. When shopping for brands, keep in mind that Japanese culinary-grade matcha can be pricey, though it tends to be less bitter. There are many other organic brands that offer the same health benefits at a lower cost! My favorite brand is available on Amazon.
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are well-known for their health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and improving heart health. While “fatty acid” may not sound like a weight loss term, omega-3s can aid in weight loss by activating enzymes that kickstart the fat-burning process in cells. Omega-3s are naturally found in foods like salmon and nuts, but many people don’t consume enough of these to meet the recommended intake. Easy-to-swallow fish oil capsules can provide a convenient omega-3 boost. One of the best and most affordable brands is Dr. Tobias.
Did you know that Vitamin D helps your body decide whether to burn fat or store it? When your Vitamin D levels are low, your parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels increase, which can lead to your cells converting sugars into fat instead of energy. A 2009 study suggests that increasing your Vitamin D levels while starting a low-calorie diet can lead to more weight loss, particularly in the stubborn belly area.
To get your daily dose of Vitamin D, spend some time outside in the sun or take a supplement. I recommend the NatureWise brand (or check out the one below that also contains calcium). Vitamin D also aids in calcium absorption, which has its own weight-loss benefits. Recent studies show that calcium does much more than just maintain healthy bones; a low-calorie diet high in calcium can enhance weight loss. African Americans, in particular, may see benefits from calcium-rich diets.
A couple of glasses of milk won’t suffice for weight loss benefits. Consider a calcium supplement that also includes Vitamin D.
Did you know that overweight individuals have different gut bacteria compared to those at a healthy weight? Certain probiotics may be more beneficial than you realize. For example, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LPR) has been shown to help obese women achieve sustainable weight loss, with some experiencing up to 50% more weight loss.
Probiotics can easily be incorporated into a standard or low-calorie diet. Try consuming more low-sugar Greek yogurt and pickled vegetables like sauerkraut or kimchi. The best way to restore gut health and balance is by taking a probiotic supplement. Aim for at least 50 billion units of probiotics daily from a minimum of 10 different sources for optimal results. While you don’t need to buy only refrigerated probiotics, ensure the packaging is well-sealed and dark (or opaque) to protect against light damage.
At Avocadu, we offer our own brand of probiotics called Gut-13. Our specially formulated probiotic supplement contains essential probiotics that can help heal your gut, accelerate weight loss, and provide a healthy source of gut flora daily! You can learn more about its importance for gut and overall health on our probiotics page.
Carnitine is an amino acid found in both plants and animals. In humans, it helps regulate how the body metabolizes fats and carbohydrates. Without sufficient carnitine, your body may store fat instead of burning it. Carnitine is commonly found in supplements used by weightlifters. Here’s a link to a great Carnitine powder on Amazon.
You’ve probably heard that olive oil is a “good fat” that can aid in weight loss. Now, olive leaf extract—the key component that gives olive oil its health benefits—may have similar effects. Olive leaf extract can help regulate blood glucose levels, which is crucial for weight loss. When blood sugar levels are unstable, the body tends to store fat instead of burning it. Stable blood sugar also reduces food cravings, helping you avoid foods that could hinder your weight loss progress. Healths Harmony offers one of the best olive leaf extract supplements.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains acetic acid, which helps maintain your body’s pH balance. A balanced pH is essential for proper body function and long-term weight loss. In a video, Dr. Eric Berg explains how apple cider vinegar aids in mineral absorption, calcium mobilization, protein digestion, and thyroid stimulation—all important for weight loss. Be sure to watch until the end, where he demonstrates how to make an ACV “cocktail.”
Apple cider vinegar has a unique taste, so mixing it into a drink is a great way to incorporate it into your diet. I prefer sipping it through a straw to make it more enjoyable and protect my teeth’s enamel. While apple cider vinegar won’t lead to immediate weight loss, adding it to your long-term routine can help maintain consistent weight loss. You can find it in most grocery stores; just ensure you choose the organic, unfiltered variety with “the mother” (healthy enzymes). Bragg’s is the top brand available!
Vitamin B12 won’t directly increase fat or calorie burning, but having adequate levels will help convert food into energy instead of fat. If you’re lacking the energy for even light exercise, B12 could help motivate you. B12 is found in many multivitamins but can also be taken as a standalone supplement.
Always remember that no supplement can replace a healthy diet! People typically lose an average of 10-21 pounds in 21 days and rave about how the program has taught them to change their eating habits and find a sustainable diet. We have over 1,000 members in our private support group participating in the Challenge together, sharing experiences, results, motivation, and plenty of recipes!
If you’re ready to make changes in your life, this is the perfect starting point. We will guide you on how to implement necessary changes in your diet and lifestyle that last beyond the diet. Click here to begin YOUR 21-Day Fat Loss Challenge today!
Feel free to leave a comment below if you enjoyed this article or have any questions!
Other Articles
7 Ideal Yoga Poses for Curvy Women
