So many diet aids crowd the fitness market that it can be difficult to know what works and what does not. No diet supplement alone can help you lose weight without proper nutrition and exercise. However, diet aids exist that can speed up your weight loss results more than diet and exercise alone can. Try a few safe natural diet aids, taken separately or together, to boost your fat burning and accelerate your weight loss results.
Arginine
The amino acid arginine comes in many forms, including arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, L-arginine, arginine ethyl ester and many others. Taking 3 to 5 g of any form of arginine boosts levels of NO, or nitic oxide, which directly boost fat burning, according to "Natural Anabolics" by Jerry Brainum. Take arginine 30 to 45 minutes before your workout for great muscle pumps and more fat burning.
Glutamine
Often thought of as purely a muscle recovery supplement, glutamine also directly boosts fat burning, according to the "Muscle & Performance" article Good News on Glutamine by Matthew Kadey. One way that it acts as a weight loss aid is by triggering the body to release more HGH, or human growth hormone, which is a potent natural fat-burning substance. In addition, glutamine supports the immune system to keep you healthy for your weekly workouts. Take 5 to 10 g up to three times daily.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract contains a catechin antioxidant known as EGCG, or epigallocatechine gallate. This substance acts to prolong the activity of the neurohormone norepinephrine, according to Supplements 101 by Jim Stoppani, in the "Muscle & Fitness Presents 2010 Edition: The Ultimate Supplement Handbook." Norepinephrine triggers fat cells to release their fatty acids to be burned as energy. The effect is a metabolism and fat-burning boost. Take an extract containing 300 mg of EGCG up to three times daily.
Forskolin
Forskolin is the active chemical ingredient in the Ayurvedic herb coleus forskohlii. According to Brainum, it has been shown to help lower body fat levels in exercising men. In addition, it may offer a testosterone-boosting side effect. Testosterone, like HGH, acts as a potent muscle-building and fat-burning substance in the human body. Take a coleus forskohlii extract standardized for 25 to 50 mg of forskolin, up to three times daily.
7-Keto
As a non-hormonal form of the adrenal gland hormone DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, 7-keto does not convert into testosterone or estrogen in the human body, according to Stoppani. Instead, it acts to boost thyroid output, which increases fat burning at the cellular level; 7-keto may also boost immune function and have other anti-aging benefits. Take 100 to 200 mg, divided into one to three daily doses.
References
- "Natural Anabolics;" Jerry Brainum; 2006
- "Muscle & Performance;" Good News on Glutamine; Matthew Kadey; March 2010
- "Muscle & Fitness Presents 2010 Edition: The Ultimate Supplement Handbook;" Supplements 101; Jim Stoppani PhD; January 2010
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