Are Supplements Necessary for Weight Loss?

When you’re trying to lose weight, you may be frustrated with slow progress and willing to do whatever it takes to get the weight off quickly and achieve your personal health and fitness goals. You may be tempted to take diet pills and fall prey to the claims of companies advertising special diet supplements that supposedly encourage weight loss in record time.

Although there are safe supplements and vitamins than you can take to enhance your well-being and increase energy, you can obtain most of the nutrition that you need through the food you eat.

Unfortunately, there are several counterfeit supplements marketed as quick fixes for weight loss and health, instead of healthy eating and exercise. In fact, according to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), there are several warning signals related to bogus supplements that should raise red flags for you (www.fda.gov – Supplement Updates) and remind you to proceed with caution:

1. Assurances of immediate results, such as “lose 20 pounds in 3 days.” Losing weight quickly is not only unhealthy; it can be downright dangerous. There is no magic pill for quick weight loss, and any health professional will tell you that the safest and most effective way to lose weight is to limit your caloric intake by eating healthy foods while increasing your activity level.

2. The implication that the supplement is a breakthrough or guarantees results. More often than not, this is a false statement. When there is a true scientific breakthrough, you will see it advertised by mass media, governmental entities and the scientific community. There will be legitimate articles about the study in professional or scientific journals, and health practitioners would likely endorse or, at least, opine about the results.

3. Supplements that are advertised in a foreign language. Can you read the product ingredients? Make sure you know what’s in the bottle and understand what the label says before you take it.

4. Products or vitamin supplements that are promoted via mass email distributions. Beware of ‘junk’ emails marketing magic pills that will give you the body you had in high school. The reality is that it takes a healthy diet and a change in lifestyle to achieve optimal health and wellness.

5. Vitamins or supplements sold as substitutes for FDA-approved medicines. If you have a concern about a supplement or company, you can learn more about it or report it on the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport. Or, speak to your medical practitioner and ask for their opinion of the supplement.

Also, just because a supplement hits the stores shelves doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a safe product. The best rule to follow is to remain cautious about what you put inside your body. Although there are many quality vitamins and minerals that can assist with the journey to better health, abundant energy, and maintaining a healthy weight, there are also a host of fraudulent supplements on the market that make empty promises for unachievable short-term goals.

The safest way to lose weight and have more energy is to eat a balanced, nutritious diet and find a support system for ongoing maintenance. For example, companies like Eatfitters in Houston, TX offer healthy pre-made and pre-portioned meals to help you stay on track with a healthy lifestyle. Each of the dishes is low in sodium and prepared fresh for great taste. Eating well is an excellent way to ensure you’re getting the vitamins and nutrients you need for optimal wellness.

from
http://eatfitters.com/are-supplements-necessary-for-weight-loss/