Fat Loss Product Shopping Guide

There are hundreds if not thousands of weight loss supplements available today, all of which promise to help you lose weight fast. With so many products available choosing the one that is best for your needs can seem impossible. physicallyelite helps take the guesswork out of shopping for weight loss supplements with this article. This guide reviews weight loss supplements by category, highlighting the best products from each to help you buy the best product for your needs.

Thermogenic Supplements with Ephedra
Thermogenic supplements containing herbal ephedrine are the most popular and effective type of weight loss supplement available today. These products not only help you lose weight but ensure that the weight lost will be from stored bodyfat not the precious muscle you work so hard to build in the gym. Ephedrine will usually be listed as Ma Huang on nutritional product labels. Ma Huang is an herb that contains ephedrine that has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine. Using a supplement with Ma Huang produces rapid results, with benefits that include decreased appetite, increased energy, and a decrease in bodyfat. Caffeine is often added since its works synergistically with ephedrine, increasing the products fat burning abilities. Additional ingredients found in leading products include tyrosine, cayenne, synephrine, and forskolin, all of which help to either increase the products fat burning abilities or decreases side effects. When shopping for a weight loss supplement with ephedra make sure it includes Ma Huang standardized for 20-25 mg ephedrine and a caffeine source that is standardized for 200 mg of caffeine. These are the dosages that have been shown in scientific studies to be safe and most effective. Also, before buying an herbal ephedrine supplement be sure to read the products warning labels and check with your doctor to make sure the product is safe for you to use since people using certain prescription medications or with particular medical conditions should not use these products.


Ephedra Free Thermogenics
If you do not want to take ephedra there are other supplements to give your metabolism a boost and help you lose weight. Ephedrine free supplements contain nutrients that are less stimulating than ephedrine but still effective in helping you lose weight. Popular nutrients used in the more effective formulas are: synephrine, a less stimulating chemical cousin of ephedrine, tyrosine to increase metabolic rate, and caffeine, which boosts metabolism. Look for these ingredients to be included when shopping for this type of product.


Fatty Acids
Contrary to popular belief, fats don't necessarily make you fat. Some fats can actually help you lose fat. Three fatty acid supplements that can help decrease bodyfat include CLA, flax seed oil, and fish oil. CLA, short for conjugated linoleic acid is a fatty acid found in cheese, red meat, and milk. Studies show that taking between 3-6 grams of CLA daily can help decrease bodyfat and possibly increase strength and muscle mass. Fish and flax seed oil, rich in omega three fatty acids, help decrease bodyfat by improving hormonal function, increasing metabolic activity, and decreasing water weight. Studies show that supplementing with up to 6 grams a day of fish or flax oil are required to see noticeable results in terms of weight loss. Fish oil is the preferred source of omega 3 fatty acids since the body better utilizes it. Expect best results to be seen after a few weeks of continuous supplementation.

When buying any type of fatty acid supplement make sure they are from a reputable manufacturer known to use only the best ingredients. Top manufacturers of fatty acid supplements include Health from the Sun, Twinlab, and EAS. Below are selected products ranging from CLA and fish oil supplements to supplement blends that combine a variety of fatty acids into one product.


Fat "Blockers"
Fat blocker supplements are designed to absorb the fat you eat before they are metabolized and stored as bodyfat. One of the most popular ingredients used in these supplements is chitosan. Chitosan is obtained from the skeletons of lobsters and other shellfish, has no caloric value, and is structurally similar to the plant fiber cellulose. This means it is not absorbed or used by the body as an energy source and instead binds to the fats you eat, moving them out of the body as waste. Manufacturers recommend taking up to 6 grams of chitosan daily to help with weight loss.

While there is some preliminary data supporting chitosan's fat loss benefits, it has not yet been proven to be as effective as other supplements, especially those containing ephedrine. Since using chitosan may block the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and certain drugs, manufacturers recommend taking vitamin supplements a few hours prior to using chitosan and speaking with your doctor before using chitosan.

To learn more about individual fat blocker supplements click on the link below.

Herbal Diuretics
Herbal diuretic supplements can help you safely lose the extra water you are holding to get you into the best possible shape. Popular ingredients include dandelion root, caffeine, and an herb called urva usi that safely helps the body rid itself of excess water weight.

These products are best to use after you have already lost the bodyfat you wanted to lose to put the finishing touches on your physique. Listed below are products that use the ingredients previously mentioned as being most effective.