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Your metabolism is one of the most important factors in determining the ease of which you can lose weight, and the faster your metabolism, the more effectively your body burns through calories, storing less of them as fat. While there are a variety of ways in which you can elevate your fat burning capabilities to help with weight loss, supplements can often be of value if there are gaps in your diet which may lead to a slower metabolism.
Prioritizing healthy foods and exercise should always be the first option in improving your wellness, but if you already follow a balanced lifestyle and are still looking for a natural boost to your metabolism, there’s one supplement that health experts agree may be beneficial in increasing fat burn for an easier time losing weight.
B Vitamins
A vitamin that many people who follow plant-based diets are deficient in, B vitamins are one of the most useful in kickstarting your metabolism for healthy weight loss, among other things. “Vitamin B helps the body metabolize the macronutrient (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) from food consumed and uses them as energy,” explains Dr. Nancy Lin, XPRO for YogaSix GO. “It also allows the body to use stored fat as energy as well, instead of allowing it to remain dormant.”
Taking a B vitamin complex will provide your body with the best range of nutrients, including riboflavin, niacin, biotin, and B12. Not only will this all help to improve your metabolism, but it can even improve the quality of your hair, skin, and nails as well. However, no supplement is going to be a bandaid for bad habits, and it’s still important to follow a balanced lifestyle for the best results. “The way you move your body, reboot and replenish lost nutrients, how you manage stress, your age, and other body systems functioning all have a say in how your metabolism is running,” says Lin.
As for when you should be taking B vitamins, starting off your day with this supplement is going to give your body the best chance at burning through calories effectively throughout the coming hours. “It’s recommended that most people can take their appropriate level of B vitamins early in the day, preferably with the first meal, as doing so will better gift your body with sustainable and usable energy,” explains Lin. “Taking these later in the day may disrupt your sleep.” Thankfully there are minimal health concerns with adding this supplement to your day, although it’s always worthwhile speaking to a health professional before starting to get a gauge on the dosage as too much vitamin B may cause stomach discomfort.
If you prefer to go the natural route, you can consume ample B vitamins from foods such as sunflower seeds, chicken, beef, avocado, lentils, salmon, and even leafy greens. However, vitamin B-12 is particularly difficult to get enough of if you follow a vegetarian diet, so it may be advisable to integrate a supplement regardless of whether or not you’re looking to improve the efficacy of your metabolism. “In a nutshell, maintaining high levels of vitamin B complex, vitamin B6 and B12, will best ensure that your brain functioning, cell metabolism and energy levels keep your mind and body well overall, and your metabolism in its best shape,” Lin concludes.
