Can vitamins really help me in my weight loss journey?

The answer is YES, they can! You need to continue to work out, eat healthy, and make healthier decisions as well, but the extra boost that these vitamins can give you certainly are worth trying - once you receive the go ahead from your doctor, that is!

 

My friend Alyssia (check out her blog at www.goinggreenforkellan.blogspot.com!) got me really interested in the idea of taking vitamins for help with things like appetite control, sickness, depression, and even weight loss back in October of 2009. I had honestly never even considered the affect taking a few vitamins each day might have on my overall health.

Make sure you get a lot of vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12. All these B vitamins keep your metabolism running and ensure a healthy thyroid. B vitamins are great for helping your body break food down quicker, which boosts your metabolism. So if you are careful and eating a low calorie diet each day, b vitamins could definitely help.  If you’re really interested in what B vitamins are the most important, I have created a list. A good B Complex will have all of this and more! I take a B Complex myself, along with an extra dose B-12.

Vitamin B2 is very good at increasing & stabilizing your metabolic rate. Vitamin B3 helps fats and carbohydrates burn quicker. 

Vitamin B5 can help burn off fat. 

Vitamin B6 is a big deal too, because some people have issues under-active thyroid and Vitamin B6 will help with that! You may have an under-active thyroid if you are tired consistently, keep trying to lose weight by diet and exercise but nothing happens, etc. What B6 does is helps to regulate your hormones and can boost your thyroid and metabolism all at once. 

Vitamin B12 is great for giving energy boosts  and digesting food quicker. 

Vitamin D is very important! Some people even argue that besides Vitamin C, D is the most important thing you could take for good overall health! Many of us have a Vitamin D deficiency. A Vitamin D deficiency  can be related to weight problems such as not being able to lose weight and uncontrollable weight gain. Another big problem with not getting enough Vitamin D is that it can lead to thyroid problems and fatigue. How much should you take daily? Around  2000 - 4000 units if possible.  Another solution could be to make sure you get at least 20 minutes of sun a day. I make it a point to spend at least half an hour a day outdoors on sunny days, and I feel that it really does make a difference! 

Omega 3 with Fish Oil is another big one to be on the lookout for. Omega 3’s are essential fatty acids that are not made by your body and are obtained by your diet only. Omega 3’s and fish oil contain DHA and EPA which are really good types of fat that help your body in a bunch of different ways like:  lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke, lowers blood pressure, can help prevent cancer, dementia, depression, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.  On top of all that it can help with building muscle and losing fat! Definitely start taking this if you can. 

Chromium Picolinate is not made by your body and can only be obtained from your diet and from supplements. Chromium  an essential mineral for the metabolism of carbohydrates,  controlling fat & cholesterol, and it can help to prevent hypertension or high blood pressure.  Chromium promotes higher brain function and muscle tone as well.  Vitamin C helps your body absorb the chromium, so try to take it with orange juice. But be warned, just like everything these, you need to use this in moderation. Look up the proper amount for your body type and age. 

In addition to these vitamins, it can't hurt to take a multivitamin on a daily basis. 

There are many more vitamins that I have read up on that can help with weight loss, but these were the most common. I want you to remember that these are not diet pills, they are not an excuse to not exercise or eat right. These vitamins and supplements can help you get where you should be if you eat properly and live an active lifestyle. Vitamins are not for everyone, and not everyone will receive the same results.

DISCLAIMER:  I am not saying all of these vitamins can be used together, nor am I saying you should start a vitamin regimen without your doctor okaying it ahead of time, I am simply going to give you a list of different vitamins that can help you lose weight and stay healthy.