Weight loss through diets is something of the recent past. Supplements and shifts in food intake are now considered the best way to lose weight as important parts of the diet.
Natural grocers offer one of the best supplements for losing extra pounds. These include a variety of herbs, homeopathic remedies, botanicals, phytonutrients, nootropics, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Not only do these help in dropping weight, but they also benefit the bones and muscles by providing the much-needed health boosts in the right doses.
To know more about the supplements best for weight loss by Natural Grocers, read on!
Natural Grocers Supplements
Natural grocers offer a wide range of supplements that are useful for all kinds of people. The range containing weight loss supplements generally falls under the Keto diet. The details of which are mentioned below:
Supplements for Keto
The Keto diet calls for a number of supplements to get the diet right. Natural Grocers have a number of such supplements available to make the task easy for anyone who plans to try a Keto diet with promising results. These include:
- Adaptogens: These help the body cater to the changing diet and adapt to its related stress. The main adaptogens include Rhodiola, Ginseng, and Ashwagandha, each with their unique ability to improve sleeping patterns, alleviate moods and increase energy levels. These qualities make them important supplements for people on a Keto diet.
- B-vitamins: B vitamins come in a variety of types, but generally all of them have positive effects on a person’s mood. Additionally, B-vitamins are essential components of the diet as they help burn fats during metabolism, while also decreasing stress levels.
- L-Carnitine: An amino acid derivative, L-Carnitine is an important component in the diet, helping in the transport of fat for metabolism and energy production. The body’s ability to synthesize L-Carnitine is slower than its burning rate when on a diet, making it an essential supplement for Keto-dieters. The intake of L-carnitine should not exceed 2-4 grams when taken regularly.
- CoQ10: CoQ10 is a natural antioxidant needed to keep the toxins produced by the body at bay. During diets, this helps increase physical performance such as when exercising, improves cognitive abilities of users, and also helps decrease fatigue.
- Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB): This ketone-producing supplement is an essential component of the Ketosis diet. It is utilized by the liver and is helpful in meeting the ketone demands of the body.
- Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT): These also help in the production of ketones in the body by increasing blood ketone levels and thereby increasing the time for ketosis. They also reduce the onset of the Keto flu. The serving used should not exceed 2 tablespoons, as excess intake can cause diarrhea and upset stomachs.
- Bone broth: This all-rounder supplement provides the body with adequate protein, electrolytes, sodium, and potassium. It can be incorporated into soups and veggies, or taken directly with water. It helps meet the body’s demands during ketosis and is an essential diet supplement.
Supplements for Athletes
Diet supplements specifically for athletes who need to maintain a balanced weight and occasionally drop a few pounds are catered well for by Natural Grocers. The following supplements are there to help:
- Probiotics: Probiotics are helpful bacteria that reside in the intestines and help boost immunity in individuals. In athletes, probiotics help prevent the excessive occurrence of colds and flu that can act as a hindrance in exercising and training. For this reason, supplementary probiotics ensure the frequency of such diseases is kept minimum, as an infected athlete may find it more difficult to recover from illnesses than normal individuals due to their cut-short resting periods.
- DHA and EPA: These are commonly known as fish oil components and are important sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. DHA and EPA have the ability to regulate the recovery of muscles after strenuous exercise and help reduce excessive inflammation. Additionally, they help in improving the muscle mass of the body and help burn fat used as fuel in the body.
- Glutamine: This naturally occurring amino acid helps the body in a number of ways. It plays an immunoprotective role and helps in muscle recovery, it also decreases muscle breakdown after strenuous exercise and also reduces soreness in muscles, and helps in the synthesis of proteins.
- Vitamin D: Balanced levels of Vitamin D help stabilize mitochondrial function in fat breakdown and improve metabolism. Additionally, the presence of adequate Vitamin D in the body prevents muscle fatigue and improves exercise performance. Vitamin D can be naturally obtained from sunlight, and from supplements in the form of ZMAs (Zinc, Magnesium, and Aspartate), HMBs (Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate), and BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids).
- Whey Protein: Whey is a dairy-derived, usable protein. This is a strong source of BCAAs and plays a very important role in building up muscle protein. It helps in the activation of several antioxidants in the body and acts as a source of methionine and cysteine. For intensely trained athletes, whey can act as an excellent source of immune booster as well.
- Turmeric: Turmeric is a natural spice with an excessive role in wound healing and improved immunity. It helps reduce muscle soreness and inflammation and helps in muscle recovery. Additionally, it reduces muscle breakdown thereby ensuring athletic capabilities last longer.
- Beetroot: Beetroot provides nitrates and nitrites that are metabolized to nitric oxide. The production of nitric oxide allows blood vessels to relax, thereby increasing the blood flow in them. Additionally, it improves muscle soreness and prevents excessive fatigue from taking over muscles, helping them work out for longer. Beetroot in supplementary or natural form works well in strenuous exercising.
Supplementary Intakes
Intake of supplements with the intention of weight loss has three major checkpoints, all of which are mentioned in detail below.
Analyzing the types of supplements available.
It is essential to know which supplements are obtainable through different intake sources. The most common and important ones include:
- Through natural sources: These items are originally obtained from a natural source but to make them compatible for humans they have been treated in ways to obtain their maximum benefits. This category includes Vitamin D, Vitamin A, and protein powders.
- Natural: These items are made solely by nature and are ready to use, with little to no processing needed. These include garlic, fish liver oil, moringa, etc.
- Fermented: These items need to undergo fermentation with bacteria and yeast to obtain their natural beneficial results. This category includes CoQ10 and amino acids such as methylene and leucine.
- Synthetic: These are nutrients manufactured in man-made laboratories with ingredients added to meet the specific needs of consumers. They include most processes protein shakes and several supplement pills.
Deciding how to take supplements.
For any kind of supplement, a number of delivery ways exist. The one you opt for depends on your body’s need, the supplement you are taking, and the number of times it is to be taken. The table below shows the various types of supplementary intake methods, along with their pros and cons.
Intake Method | Pros | Cons |
Liquids |
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Chewable tablets |
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Powders |
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Tablets to swallow |
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Capsules |
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Deciding when to take supplements.
When supplements should be taken depend on your routine and your activities before and after taking supplements. If supplements are taken in the morning, the daily activities often mean the energy is sued up in work or in exercise. Energy-boosting supplements are best taken in the morning to enhance productivity and prevent damage from supplementary intake. Relaxing supplements are best taken in the evening to allow the body to slow down and prepare for long hours of rest.
Taking supplements with or without a meal is another important factor. For supplements categorized as water-based (inclusive of Vitamins E, D, K, and A), the presence of a meal in the stomach is not essential. However, for fat-based supplements including Vitamin B and Vitamin C, it is important for the stomach to have some food to make the best use of the supplement.
Magnesium
Magnesium is available in organic as well as inorganic forms when used as supplements. Inorganic Magnesium is available in tablet forms such as Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, and Magnesium Carbonate. These help in bowel movements and are often not needed in high amounts. Organic Magnesium is available in a number of different forms including Magnesium Malate, Magnesium Gluconate, and Magnesium Citrate, all affecting the bowel in different ways.
Iron
Iron supplements are needed by people aiming to lose weight as the altered diet and excessive exercise may cause a decrease in iron levels in the body. This deficiency can lead to a number of diseases including Restless Leg Syndrome, anemia, tiredness, and poor wound healing. Iron tablets are recommended for people facing any such issues, especially when trying to lose weight. Care is needed, however, as excessive iron intake can lead to stone formation.
Conclusion
Supplements are best taken orally. Intake should be done with proper consultation and following a diet plan. Excessive intake of supplements can be injurious to health, rather than adding to the benefits. Intake should be monitored and adjustments made according to weight and health in mind. Once the weight loss target has been achieved, supplements should be replaced with healthy foods.