Certain dietary supplements may help increase your body's metabolic rate, or metabolism. According to MedlinePlus, metabolism describes all the processes in your body that convert or consume energy. Examples of metabolic processes include respiration, circulation, thermoregulation and digestion. Some medical conditions can affect your metabolism, causing it to speed up or slow down. Before taking supplements to help boost your metabolism, talk to your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Bitter Orange
Bitter orange, also known as Citrus aurantium, is an herb and dietary supplement that may be help boost your metabolism. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, the fruit of the bitter orange tree has been used by practitioners of Chinese medicine and indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest to help treat nausea, indigestion and constipation. In contemporary Western medicine, the dried fruit and peel have been used to treat acid reflux, decreased appetite and nasal congestion. Bitter orange has also been used to increase metabolism to help assist weight loss. The NCCAM states that bitter orange contains chemicals that may increase your heart rate and blood pressure; thus, it may not be appropriate for everyone to use. Meet with your doctor before taking bitter orange to discuss appropriate dosage, possible side effects and potential drug interactions.
Bladderwrack
Bladderwrack is an herbal remedy and dietary supplement that may increase your metabolism, especially if you have hypothyroidism or a low-functioning thyroid gland. The University of Michigan Health System states that bladderwrack, also known as Fucus vesiculosus, is a type of brown seaweed commonly found on American and European coasts. Bladderwrack, a member of the fucaceae family, has a salty, mucilaginous taste and cooling tendencies. The fronds, or thallus, of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. According to Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," bladderwrack has been used to help treat the sluggish metabolism associated with hypothyroidism caused by a lack of iodine. Consult your physician before taking bladderwrack to discuss possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Green Tea
Green tea, also known as Camellia sinensis, is an herb and dietary supplement that may help boost your metabolism. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, green tea is prepared from the unfermented leaves of the plant and has been used to help treat numerous health problems, including atherosclerosis, elevated cholesterol, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and a sluggish metabolism associated with excess weight. According to Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," green tea is an antioxidant, as it contains a significant amount of catechins, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. The UMMC states that the polyphenols contained in green tea may increase your metabolism and help you burn fat. Before taking green tea to help increase your metabolism, talk to your physician about proper dosage, potential side effects and possible drug interactions.
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