There are many supplements that can help with weight loss.

There are lots of dietary supplements and diet pills out there that claim to effectively help people lose weight. Some of them don’t really work, some of them have been proven to help, and some work but come with too many negative side effects. It’s important to check which one is the best for you and your needs.

Of course, we all know that there is no magic pill out there that will instantly make you lose weight. Successful dieting is a combination of lifestyle changes that include eating healthier and being active. However, for some people, a diet pill or supplement can give them that little extra push that they need.

Here is a list of some of the diet pills, supplements, as well as certain foods and vitamins that can help aid in a successful diet. Make sure you do your research on which ones are the most effective and make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any medication.

Foods That Aid Weight Loss

• Vinegar: Acetic acid in vinegar has been shown to increase feelings of fullness and reduce calorie intake. It has also been shown to reduce blood sugar spikes and possibly prevent the accumulation of body fat.
• Grapefruit: One of the fat-burning superfoods that can lower the fat-storage hormone insulin. Eating half a grapefruit before each meal can lead to the loss of one pound per week!
• Chili Pepper: Containing capsaicin, a compound that can increase your body’s fat-burning abilities, peppers have also been shown to reduce appetite.
• Chia Seeds: One of the best sources of fiber in the world, chia seeds expand 11-12 times their weight in your stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness. Also packed with omega-3s, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
• Apples: Containing pectin, an ingredient that naturally slows digestion and leads to feelings of fullness, apples are also a good source of vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber.

Dietary Supplements and Pills

• Hydroxycut: One of the most popular diet supplements in recent years. The main ingredients include caffeine and four natural herbs: lady’s mantle, wild olive, komijn and wild mint. Studies have shown that caffeine can boost metabolism by 3–11% and enhance fat burning by about 10–29%. Various studies on the four herbs contained in Hydroxycut have had mixed results.
• 7-Keto-DHEA: A substance that is naturally found in the body, this pill aids your body to enter the ketosis state, the phase where your body burns fat. Studies have shown that the metabolism-boosting supplement may aid in weight loss.
• Raspberry Ketone: Raspberry ketone, a substance found in raspberries, claims to cause the fat within cells to break down more effectively, burning fat faster as well as increasing levels of the hormone adiponectin, believed to be related to weight loss. Any raspberry ketone on the market, however, is synthetically produced.
• Glucomannan: This is a fiber found in the roots of the Elephant Yam (Konjac). Glucomannan absorbs water, becoming gel-like in the stomach and leading to feelings of fullness. Studies have proven its effectiveness when combined with a healthy diet. Other health benefits include lower blood sugar, blood cholesterol and triglycerides, healthy gut bacteria, and constipation relief.
• Orlistat (Alli): A pharmaceutical drug that is sold over the counter, Orlistat works by inhibiting the breakdown of fat in the gut, making you consume less fat. Studies have shown its effectiveness but the digestive side effects such as loose stools, flatulence, and frequent bowel movements are a big deterrent.
• Meratrim: This supplement contains two herbs, Sphaeranthus Indicus (also called East Globe Indian Thistle) and Garcinia Mangostana (Mangosteen tree, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia), and claims to decrease the amount of fat picked up by fat cells in the bloodstream while helping to burn stored fat. Studies have shown its effectiveness with few side effects, with additional benefits like reduced blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
• Green Tea and Green Tea Extract: The main antioxidant in green tea, EGCG, has been shown in studies to increase the activity of norepinephrine, a hormone that burns fat, especially in the belly area.
• Green Coffee Extract: Made with coffee beans that haven’t been roasted, green coffee contains caffeine and chlorogenic acid, believed to aid in fat burning and slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut, respectively. Studies have shown the effectiveness of this pill, with additional benefits including lower blood sugar levels and reduced blood pressure.
• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): CLA is a popular weight loss supplement consisting of a “healthier” trans fat that is contained in butter and cheese. It may reduce appetite, boost metabolism, and stimulate the breakdown of body fat and its effectiveness has been proven. However serious side effects include fatty liver, insulin resistance, and increased inflammation.

Vitamins and Minerals That Promote Weight Loss

• Vitamin B:   Vitamin B allows your metabolism to function properly. You can find B vitamins in these foods: beans, lentils, milk, eggs, lean meat, whole grains, potatoes, bananas.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D is important for the body. Though we can get it through the sun’s rays, for most individuals it is not enough and we need to find other sources. These foods are packed with vitamin D: Olive oil, sardines, tuna, egg yolk.
• Calcium: New research suggests that calcium is not only essential for healthy bones but may also be vital for healthy metabolism and blood sugar levels. Calcium can be found in:  Milk, yogurt, leafy green vegetables, seeds, almonds.
• Iron: Iron is very important to create energy and transport oxygen in the cells of your body. This whole system helps to burn fat. Find iron in these foods: Beef or chicken liver, spinach, clams, mussels, oysters.
• Magnesium: Magnesium has multiple functions for the proper functioning of your body. You can find it in these foods: Nuts, seeds, legumes, leafy green vegetables.
• Omega-3: There haven’t been enough studies conducted to support the weight-loss effects of Omega-3 fatty acids, but the heart benefits of Omega-3 cannot be ignored. You can find it in these foods: Salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, tuna.