Supplements to boost metabolism

Can you actually fire up your metabolism with supplements? If so, which are the best?

We will look at a number of supplements. Some can improve your metabolic rate and help you lose weight.

The Essentials

First of all, it makes sense to improve nutrition and restore any deficiencies that would interfere with the body’s own natural processes.

That’s why we recommend that anyone who wants to lose weight should be taking these important supplements:

  • Omega 3 fatty acid supplement (fish oil) – The omega 3 fatty acids trigger an increase in fat-burning enzymes and improve the body’s response to exercise. What’s more, they are essential to good health.

  • Multivitamin and mineral supplement – A variety of different vitamins are involved in metabolism. If any one is in short supply, it can slow down the whole process. A variety of B vitamins, vitamin C, and calcium all have documented benefits to weight loss.

    It’s important to get enough antioxidant vitamins when you are trying to weight loss, since fat burning and exercise both generate free radicals.

  • Calcium – to provide a daily intake of 1000 mg daily for men and premenopausal women, 1200 – 1500 mg/day for postmenopausal women. A lack of calcium not only harms bone density. It may also put the brakes on weight loss despite your best efforts.

Read about Dr. Parsons’ personal supplement program »

The 3 Rejuvenators

The Rejuvenators are 3 natural substances produced by our body but which may be relatively deficient as we get older, fatter, or take certain drugs. They not only improve metabolic function but revitalize our energy and our health.

  • Alpha-lipoic acid - an important antioxidant that helps burn fat
  • Coenzyme Q10 – a crucial ingredient in energy metabolism that provides antioxidant protection to the mitochondria
  • Acetyl-l-carnitine - key ingredient of the transport molecule that shuttles fat into the mitochondria for burning, improves metabolic efficiency and energy production

These natural compounds can be considered conditionally-essential vitamins. Although produced by our bodies, they may not be present in sufficient amounts for efficient metabolism.

As we age, we produce less and less of these nutrients. If we are obese, stressed, have health problems, or take certain medications, we will likely need more of these special vitamin-like substances. Even exercise can increase our need for the Rejuvenators. We are only just waking up to the fact that we can really benefit from supplementing with these crucial elements.

Exciting new research shows that supplementing with the rejuvenators can kindle the metabolic fires as well as give us increased energy and vitality.

Other metabolic boosters

There are other supplements available with claims to boost metabolism. Some seem to work. Others have little evidence to support them.

Unfortunately, research is limited for many of these nutrients, simply because they are natural products, not drugs. Since they cannot be patented, there is little sponsorship to support costly research.

  • Green tea and green tree extract can increase your metabolism and foster weight loss.
  • Garcinia cambogia is an Indian fruit which contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Various mechanisms of action have been proposed, from affecting appetite to effects on metabolism. HCA may block fat absorption from the digestive tract as well as prevent carbohydrates from being stored as fat.
  • CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is a fatty acid found in dairy products and some oils. It has been evaluated and used as a supplement due to its ability to fight fat absorption and storage. Research indicates that it inhibits the enzyme lipoprotein lipase which breaks down fat from our diet so it can be absorbed from the digestive tract. It may also affect other biochemical pathways to burn fat and build muscle more effectively.
  • Sesamin
  • 7-keto-DHEA
  • Citrus aurantium

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