Top 5 Natural Ingredients for Weight Loss & Their Benefits

With all of the weight loss programs out there it’s easy to get caught up in the hype but not all ingredients are created equal when it comes to supplements.  As a fitness nut and ex gym owner, I have some pretty strong opinions in the field of fitness and supplements.  I have to agree with many of the other experts in the field, natural ingredients are the better way to go with supplements. 

The problem with many synthetic supplements is that you don’t truly know what you are putting in your body.  On the flip side natural supplements take ingredients found in nature that can be more easily absorbed in your body.  The reason for this is your body recognizes the ingredients as nutrients.  The body isn’t easily fooled and synthetic ingredients often are not taken in by the body.  Any supplements that are as close to nature as possible with be easier to absorb.  

Now that we’ve agreed that natural is the way to go what are the best natural ingredients to look for in your supplements?  Below is a list of the top 5 natural ingredients to look for:

Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia Cambogia also known as the Malabar tamarind, is a small, sweet tropical tree fruit shaped like a pumpkin. It grows primarily in the lush green mountains of India, southeast Asia as well as in Central Africa.  In the late 1960s, scientists discovered an acid in the fruit somewhat similar to the citric acid found in fruits like oranges and lemons.  That acid is called hydroxycitric acid, or HCA.  HCA has the ability to help suppress the appetite, but not in the same way as a stimulant-based diet pill.  HCA increases the level of satiety—satisfaction you receive from food—making it easier to eat less. Garcinia Cambogia also increases fat burning skills (thermogenesis) providing an increase in energy.  Thermogenesis is a metabolic process during which your body burns calories to produce heat.  Thermogenesis can promote weight loss because it increases your body's calorie burn. 

Chromium Zynchrome

Chromium helps to move blood sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream into the cells to be used as energy and to turn fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy.  Chromium is an important mineral with regards to helping to keep the blood sugar levels in balance.   A lack of chromium could cause fluctuating blood-sugar levels which trigger sugar cravings.  When we eat a lot of sugar, most of the sugar gets metabolized by the liver. There it gets turned into fat, which is then secreted into the blood.

L-Carnitine

L-Carnitine is synthesized in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine.  Regardless of what your bodybuilding and fitness goals are, losing fat or gaining muscle, your chances of success will increase greatly if you have l-carnitine in your supplements.  L-carnitine transfers long-chain fatty acids, such as triglycerides into mitochondria, where they may be oxidized to produce energy. Carnitine has also been shown to reduce fatigue and serve as an appetite suppressant as well.

Phaseolamin

Phaseolamin is a partial protein substance derived from white beans. It blocks the absorption of some carbohydrates and starchy foods. It is a non-stimulant and totally natural, and has no known side effects.  The most noticeable benefit of Phaseolamin is its ability to reduce the absorption of calories taken in from starchy carbohydrates such as potatoes, pasta, rice and bread.  Phaseolamin effectively neutralizes the starches found in foods that are labeled carbohydrates.

Chlorogenic Acid

Chlorogenic Acid is the main active ingredient n green coffee bean.  It is a thermogenic fat burner. It shares some benefits to caffeine but is less potent.   It’s been found that chlorogenic acid helps to slow down the body's absorption of fat from your regular food intake. It also increases your metabolism, which also helps in the weight loss process.

If given the option between synthetic and natural supplements always go with natural options so your body will more easily recognize the ingredients.  Before starting any supplement program, educating yourself on what’s in the supplements, and discussing them with your doctor is always a good idea.   For more information on all natural supplements start here: www.leanbeginning.com