Weightloss Supplements and other Supplements

lollypoppet

So, I was passing a store, Holland and Barret, and i assume you can get the same products in there in loads of other natural organic and herbal stores. But as i was passing they had those massive Whey protein containers, and i was just wondering, do those protein shakes actually work?

I popped in and had a look at their weightloss section, so far on my diet i have used any kind of supplement, but in here some of the products they had seemed nearly natural, like 'acai berry pills/ syrup, different kinds of tea to aid in weightloss, and loads of other things.

I was just wondering, people do use these, but do they actually work? Are they worth the money? If anyone takes Whey protein or any other typles of supplements, do you find they help?

lollypoppet

Oh, and i've never used anything like this before, but i am contemplating it, and wanted to know if they show results, and I'm sure some only supress appetite, but is there anything to help burn fat, whilst on a healthy calorie controlled diet with exercise.

thisismeraw

Pills, shakes, etc will not make you lose fat. Eating less than your expend everyday is the only way to lose fat.

Those pills can say anything they want. They are not approved by the FDA. Just because they are natural doesn't mean they work... it doesn't mean they won't harm your body.. it doesn't mean they won't interact with something else you are taking. Don't waste your money on pills. Those companies pray on people who want an easy way to lose weight... and there is no easy way.

For the protein shakes, there is nothing about them that works besides helping you meet your protein goals. They won't make you lose weight, they won't make you gain muscle, etc... they are simply a supplement to help you reach your protein goals if you aren't reaching them through real food. I use a protein powder only on days that I don't reach my protein goals through food or know I won't get there.

jdm_taco

crap and a waste of money

owieprone

i like them cos i'm a lazy ****, and i can't eat when i first get up but need to eat or my annoying medical condition flares up. Also good if you're strapped for time but need to eat something, or work shifts and don't have somewhere to store food that needs a fridge (USN shakes work well with water, but it's trial and error to find one you like the taste of, so it's worth trying tester or single packets first to find one you like.)

however, you need to do your research and find out which ones have the best protein to carb ratio that you need and what sugar they use (for the best ones the protein should be a good bit higher than the carb content and added sugar should be stevia if you can find it, monkey nutrition products use this, but i'm not sure who else does at the mo). the added sugar should also be low, otherwise you're just substituting carbs with sugar which is just as bad.

But to be honest you should be eating proper food instead of these. Supplements are the same, you should only use them if you have real problems getting what you need from proper food (proper as in you made it yourself it wasn't from a desiccated mound of 'stuff' with some made up eejits face on the front).

if like me you have an eating problem, then supplements and shakes are a good way to balance out your diet, take away the temptations and make you see quite quickly how much ****e you really stick down your gullet that you don't need while you work on your eating problems (fussy and binge eater.. the irony; and carb intolerant to boot - the joys!).

the teas and acai supplements that 'help' you lose weight? well i wouldn't say hokum but the effects are marginal and depend on your body as to how well they'll work, you're best of making the effort to sort you food out than try quick fads and waste money.

Flaxseed (linseed) is good instead of fish (i can't eat fish, it's bloody horrible). Again you need to research what you need in terms of your goals and eating habits and then work from there, time consuming but the more you know the better armed you will be.

you also need to remember that if you cut out carbs you CANNOT cut good fat from your diet and vice versa, which you cut out depends on if you are carb intolerant or not (skinny arms and legs and big belly = refined carb intolerant, most likely). Carbs should be 90% from natural proper food sources (veg and veg), the other 10% from whatever your favourite junk is and fat should be fat in it's natural form... attached to your meat, or the butter on your soreen etc.

added sugar is bad, sugar already in something naturally (fructose) is good.

I take, carb blocker for when i just can't resist a slice or two of soreen or a packet of S&V crisps; CLA with dinner and 2-3 times a week EAAs and multivitamins (proper ones from a supplement website not the rubbish you get in supermarkets).

Hope that helps

lollypoppet

Thanks for your help! i've never used them before, i'm all about natural things, like green tea, healthy eating and exercise, but i thought this would be a good place to ask! Its just i've seen so much hype about them, i thought i'd find out if they actually make much improvment.

Traveezy

as far as protein its like they said above.. its just to get you to your protein intake goal for the day. the weight loss pills im not really a believer in but there was one I used to take that really did take my appetite away called OxyElitePro. a lot of people said it didn't work but it did for me, the only thing is now its a new formula that is nothing like it used to be so I doubt its any good anymore.. the old formula was taken off the market. I just started taking another pill called superHD and so far I like the energy boost I get from it in the morning.. I have noticed a little bit of appetite suppression but nothing like the OEP I used to take. I just take now for the energy and who knows, it may be all in my head but its working for me.

MoreBean13

This is universally true of all weight loss supplements: If they actually caused you to lose weight, they would be dangerous, and only sold as prescription medication.

Protein supplements are great if you need help meeting your protein macro, but they will not cause you to gain or lose weight inherently. Only a calorie deficit/surplus will do that.

lollypoppet

Would you say that people who have claimed to have lost weight, lost it over a 'mental state', like they believed it would work, and started putting more efforts into their workouts etc?