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Diet and exercise are your best bet to fighting fat and losing weight, but sometimes our bodies need a little extra boost to really burn those calories. That’s where supplements come into play. When combined with a healthy weight loss routine, they can substantially help increase metabolic function by replenishing the nutrients and minerals your body may be lacking.
Not sure which supplements you need to help kick-start weight loss? Here are four that doctors recommend taking to give your metabolism a boost to start losing weight now:
**Consult with your doctor to see if you could benefit from adding these supplements to your routine first.**
Green Tea Extract
This popular supplement has been found to help curb appetite and increase the body's metabolization of calories and fat. Though more research needs to be done to fully understands the supplement's full effect on the metabolism and weight loss, experts say it could help when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
CLA refers to the group of chemicals in the fatty acid called linoleic acid. Results from certain studies have found that CLA has the potential to reduce body fat by increasing strength, reducing appetite, improving metabolic function, and reducing inflammation.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiencies are very common and can contribute to stubborn belly fat. "I recommend a daily dose of at least 2,000 IUs of vitamin D. We can get vitamin D from foods such as fortified milk and cereals as well as eggs, salmon, tuna and mackerel, but the amounts found naturally in most foods are not significant," Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, says. "Sun exposure is the best way to maintain adequate levels; ultraviolet rays trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin. In spite of the ability to make our own vitamin D, most people in the U.S. need to take supplemental vitamin D, especially seniors, as the ability to synthesize it in the skin declines with age."
Omega-3 Fatty Acid (Fish Oil)
Fish oil supplements offer countless health benefits and have been found to help improve metabolic function. Research shows that taking omega-3 supplements can also help promote weight loss by reducing hunger and appetite and boosting the effects of exercise, which will help increase the number of calories you burn while exercising.
