What supplements work with exercise and portion control for weight loss
BY SUZY COHEN Dear Pharmacist
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Dear Pharmacist, What are some
natural dietary supplements that can
help me lose weight, or at least manage
it during the holidays? — C.A., Gainesville,
Fla.
When it comes to weight
management, nothing works
better and faster than exercising
and reducing your portion
size. However, there are
inexpensive vitamins and
minerals that can assist you in
your quest. Everything below
has scientific studies to back up
my comments. Just follow label
directions for dosage, and of
course, ask your doctor if these
are right for you:
Asparagine — This amino acid
found in asparagus increases
insulin sensitivity, which
helps the body store energy in
muscle, rather than storing it as
body fat.
Biotin — This B vitamin boosts
metabolism by stabilizing blood
sugar (improving glycemic
control) and reducing insulin.
Fabulous, because insulin is
known to store fat on us.
Zinc — This mineral is closely
tied to leptin. Low zinc reduces
leptin, and that could cause you
to feel hungry all the time. Restoring
zinc could impact leptin
and allow you to feel satisfied
after one plate of stuffing.
Vitamin A — This vision
vitamin just so happens to tell
your genes to stop storing all
the food you eat as fat! Studies
suggest vitamin A is capable of
shrinking fat cells.
Niacin — I recommend this B
vitamin for people with high
cholesterol, but it increases adiponectin,
a natural fat-burning
hormone.
Chromium — This mineral
makes the body more sensitive
to insulin, thus reducing body
fat and increasing lean muscle.
Lipoic acid — I recommend
this for people with diabetes
to help manage blood sugar; it
helps shuttle glucose into the
cells, and this helps you burn
carbs more efficiently. Good for
neuropathy, too.
Magnesium — Low magnesium
impairs your ability to convert
carbs and sugar into fuel, so it
gets stored on as fat. Correcting
a magnesium deficiency helps
stimulate metabolism.
Do you think I’m suggesting
you take all of these? I hope
not. I’m only sharing options
that might work for you.
info@dearpharmacist.com
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