Supplements and their aid in weight loss?

Cat_Lifts
Cat_Lifts Posts: 174 Member
in Food and Nutrition
First off, my knowledge of supplements and their aid in weight loss is very poor and I'd like to learn more about the benefits of supplements in losing weight/maintaining/muscle gains/etc. I'm curious what supplements (if any) can aid in weight loss. I understand good nutrition as well as a steady exercise plan is the primary cause of success, but what if you're nutritionally lacking in some departments? Can being deficient in certain vitamins/nutrients/etc. prohibit or slow your weight loss progress?

I'll creep food diaries occasionally and notice many people take supplements in conjunction with what are seemingly nutrient-dense meals. For example, what are the benefits of Omega 3's or Fish Oil capsules? Vitamin D? (Irrelevant but I know in my case I'm extremely deficient in Iron and Vitamin D (given recent bloodwork). To counter that, I usually will take a 5,000mg Vitamin D supplement and increase consumption of iron rich foods such as spinach and (lean) red meat. I deal with extreme fatigue sometimes and I've noticed the increase in those two have helped energy levels.)

Replies

  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Omega 3 is a natural fatty acid found in fish, chia seeds and several other places. It has been shown by a number of studies to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. My doctor recommended that I take an omega 3 supplement since I am vegetarian (and therefore don't get it from meat) and have a substantial family history of prostate cancer. I take a multi vitamin as an insurance policy to make sure I get everything I need, just in case I miss something in my diet (I usually do pretty well at getting everything from food). For me, it has nothing to do with weightloss. It's for general health.
  • king752
    king752 Posts: 8 Member
    You're in luck, 3DMJ's Eric Helms just released a video the other day.
    (He has a masters in exercise science)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tp3ZIFKkLg

    Everything you need to know about supplements, that work and don't work.
  • RebekahR84
    RebekahR84 Posts: 794 Member
    Just make sure any supplements you take are taken with food with even a small amount of fat content. Fat helps the body absorb the nutrients from vitamin supplements.
  • RebekahR84
    RebekahR84 Posts: 794 Member
    Also, google Calcium Pyruvate. It's a fat burner. The scientific research is just starting on it, but the user reviews are phenomenal.
  • lauren3101
    lauren3101 Posts: 1,853 Member
    Personally, I would discuss this with your doctor and/or a pharmacist before you start buying supplements. You'd be surprised at what you take in from food, and in some cases, taking too much of something can be just as bad as not getting enough. Like iron, for example, especially for women. There are also some supplements that you shouldn't take together, some that work better together, etc,
  • RebekahR84
    RebekahR84 Posts: 794 Member
    Personally, I would discuss this with your doctor and/or a pharmacist before you start buying supplements. You'd be surprised at what you take in from food, and in some cases, taking too much of something can be just as bad as not getting enough. Like iron, for example, especially for women. There are also some supplements that you shouldn't take together, some that work better together, etc,

    Lauren makes a very good point. So that, plus your doctor can tell you which combinations are more effective. For example, taking iron with vitamin C. Vitamin C doubles the absorption of iron. AND your doctor can make sure whatever supplements you're considering won't interact with any meds you may be on. Natural or not, supplements can interact with meds.
  • Cat_Lifts
    Cat_Lifts Posts: 174 Member
    Thank you guys and gals. :)
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    Omega 3 is a natural fatty acid found in fish, chia seeds and several other places. It has been shown by a number of studies to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. My doctor recommended that I take an omega 3 supplement since I am vegetarian (and therefore don't get it from meat) and have a substantial family history of prostate cancer. I take a multi vitamin as an insurance policy to make sure I get everything I need, just in case I miss something in my diet (I usually do pretty well at getting everything from food). For me, it has nothing to do with weightloss. It's for general health.

    Omega 3s were linked to an INCREASE in prostate cancer risk... http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/news/omega-3-fatty-acids-linked-to-increase-in-prostate-cancer-risk My good friend was the lead author on that study.

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