Ask any athlete out there about what the best supplements to lose weight are and there is a good chance you will see them quickly rolling their eyes and then starting to talk about nutrition. Unfortunately, most people do not wait to hear everything that is said.
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There is no way to deny the fact that supplements are vital for losing fat, building muscle, improving performance, higher focus and much more. You can be a “simple” weekend warrior and still get huge benefits from the best supplements to lose weight and gain muscle.
Obviously, everything is based on the goals that you have. However, there are some things that should always be mentioned. If you want to learn how to choose the best supplements to lose weight, you need to be aware of a few things and know what the best supplement categories are. Choosing any brand without knowing what is written below might lead to a bad choice.
A Little Background
Ever since the seventies fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders showed quite a lot of muscle mass. If you look at old pictures from back in the days, you quickly notice there were many bulked up people at Venice’s Gold’s Gym and in gyms that were dungeon-like. People trained with huge intensity every single day, with most routines focused on really heavy deadlifts, bench presses and squats. Nowadays, the same moves are seen as a major component of modern bodybuilding and fitness.
The old school lifters we talked about also quickly figured out another thing that we now know is true: nutrition is the main catalyst for fat loss and muscle growth. Protein was always a huge part of dieting, with carbohydrates and fats being added in order to get the rest needed.
All athletes manipulate diet regimens in order to lose fat at a rate that is optimal, all while minimizing muscle wasting.
The truth is that not much changed when thinking about basic nutrition and training philosophies. Modern bodybuilders and athletes at all competition levels and of all ages progress faster now than before. Discrepancies happen not because supplements to lose weight are necessarily better. The discrepancies appear mainly because of the knowledge we now have about supplements to lose weight that work.
Years ago athletes did not have access to many safe supplements to lose weight. Bodybuilders practically relied on precise training and nutrition. This is also true right now but standards did change.
If you want to lose fat, no matter the reason, you need to:
- Know the human body and work really hard to reach your goal.
- Know what highly effective supplements can be used.
A Warning
Numerous companies invent brand new supplements that they claim are incredible. Minimal research is often in place to back up statements. The real agenda of many supplement manufacturers is to make a lot of money. They do not really care if you get in shape or not.
Keep in mind that you can choose the very best supplements to help lose weight and not reach your goals because supplements are exactly what the name means: supplements to the training program and diet.
In order to lose weight, you have to train well, eat well and rest. Then, supplements give you extras.
When you want to lose weight, the following supplements can be considered. These are the ones that are normally referred to as being weight loss supplements.
BCAAs – Branched Chain Amino Acids
BCAAs are practically 3 essential amino acids: valine, isoleucine and leucine. You need to get these through the protein that you add in your diet. These 3 amino acids are quickly metabolized inside the muscle. You want to use these supplements after, during or before training with the main purpose of maximizing recovery while inside the muscle tissue an anabolic environment is created. Protein synthesis is very hard to start when using food sources as you train, which is effective if you try to lose fat.
Branched chain amino acids help athletes to cut fat while muscle mass is maintained. Also, they have an insulinogenic effect but they do not stop fat burning. If you want to get lean and train at really peak levels, BCAAs have to be added to your diet.
Whey Protein
When you want to cut fat while improving body composition, quality protein supplements become huge success ingredients. Whey protein is always recommended because of the high content of L-leucine. Studies showed that this quickly triggers protein synthesis initiation.
Every single competitive athlete will tell you that protein is vital. It is particularly important during cutting phases as you absolutely need as much protein as is needed to support your muscles.
Whey protein supplements are often described as being safe supplements to lose weight. This is in part because they work as great meal replacements if combined with other macronutrients, besides being quickly digested. You do not want to miss a meal since fat-burning goals are instantly hurt. You do not want to slow down the metabolic rate, which happens as meals are missed.
Whenever you want to shed fat fast and maintain muscle mass, whey protein needs to be present in your diet so you are guaranteed to have a good meal as you need it.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
This fatty acid is naturally found inside every single cell inside your body. The main function it has is to create energy needed for practically everything that we do. Alpha lipoic acid is normally used 2 to 3 times daily, when combined with high carbohydrate meals. This works great because it helps converts glucose into energy as you work out. The body needs to efficiently convert limited glucose into body fuel in order for a workout to be effective in weight loss.
It needs to be added that alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is pretty good at removing free radicals. Fat burning is reduced when there are harmful wastes present. This acid neutralizes waste products while helping your body run in a more efficient way.
Creatine Monohydrate
Regularly referred to just as creatine (although incorrect since there are various types of creatine that can be used), this is a substance that naturally develops inside the pancreas, kidneys and liver. It then goes towards muscle tissue, where it is changed into creatine phosphate. This makes creatine a good energy supplier for muscles.
Much creatine can be gained from beef but few people can actually eat as much as is needed for desired effects. Supplemental creatine stands out as a wonderful alternative. After consumption, the muscle tissues gains a harder, fuller appearance. Most is water weight but water is intramuscularly, which is not a bad thing.
The reason why creatine is often present on the list of supplements to lose weight is that strength is maintained when trying to lose fat. This is true even if glucose levels are low.
Many creatine supplements are available on the market right now. Most claim to help build lean muscle mass while increasing gym strength. People tend to respond in different ways to different creatine forms. However, creatine monohydrate is usually a safe bet.
EFA – Essential Fatty Acids
When you eat fish that has high essential fatty acids content, various ailments are prevented. Omega 3 also helps increase brain development while improving memory functioning. At the same time, fish oils help hair, nails, mood and skin to be in a top form.
Nutrient transport and blood flow are improved where enough essential fatty acids are present. This is particularly helpful when dieting. Metabolic rate is higher so stored fats are transformed into energy as you exercise. Basically, the body finds it easier to burn fat when you use EFAs.
Thermogenics
Thermogenics are often recommended for those that want to lose fats but others say that they are not safe supplements to lose weight. This is basically because of not reading the label when using. This is really important with thermogenics because the body becomes more sensitive as it enters a fat burning state.
You have to be particularly careful with niacin since it should not be present in high quantities. When this is not the case, a flushing sensation appears. It is not harmful but it will be alarming and uncomfortable.
Caffeine is often a main ingredient in thermogenic fat burners. It is easy to underestimate how powerful caffeine can be. This is not your regular coffee. Caffeine can make you feel irritable, restless and too anxious if you consume too much. It is important to understand your body’s tolerance and not use more.
Thermogenics can be highly effective as supplements to lose weight that work but only if you are careful with the ingredients list and when you trust your body.
Conclusion
It does not matter if you are looking for supplements for losing weight and gaining muscle or if the only thing of interest is weight loss. You always need to exercise, rest and be careful with what you eat. Supplementation is all about getting the extra nutrients that your body lacks from your daily diet.
Remember that you always need safe supplements to lose weight. Because of this, read all that you can about them. Those mentioned above will help but only if you lose them right and, once again, if you do not neglect the importance of exercising and rest.