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Let’s be real, there’s no magic anything that will “melt” belly fat. The only way to really get rid of stubborn fat is by exercising and eating right. But, fitness experts do say that taking a daily supplement can help alleviate any chronic inflammation and assist in your weight loss efforts. That’s why it’s recommended to add a vitamin D supplement to your fat loss routine. Here’s why!
To start, it's important that you're getting your daily dose of vitamins and minerals if you're trying to lose weight.
“Getting adequate vitamins and minerals helps you burn calories more efficiently, helps regulate appetite, lowers inflammation, boosts detoxification, aids digestion, regulates stress hormones, and helps your cells become more insulin sensitive,” Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D., says.
Dr. Hyman notes that hormone control is essential in the fight against belly fat as they affect your insulin levels. "Numerous hormones contribute to belly fat, but none proves more powerful than insulin, your fat storage hormone," he continues. "High levels of insulin tell your body to gain weight around the belly, and you become more apple-shaped over time. Insulin also drives inflammation and oxidative stress, creating myriad downstream effects.”
So, why is vitamin D so important? Researchers say that there is a correlation between obesity and vitamin D levels. Findings show that those with adequate vitamin D levels are more likely to lose more weight than those who are deficient in the essential vitamin.
"Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most commonly unrecognized medical conditions," says Michael F. Holick, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of medicine at Boston University medical center and author of The Vitamin D Solution. "And that deficiency negatively affects every cell in your body—including your fat cells."
But before you stock up on vitamin D supplements, it's important to stress that taking too much of anything is never a good idea. In fact, too much vitamin D can upset the calcium balance in your body, which can affect how certain heart and blood pressure medicines work.
**Make sure you consult with your doctor before adding this supplement to your weight loss routine to see if it's the best option for you.