Weight Loss Supplements - Help or Hype?

The health supplement industry is a massive and powerful force. Much of what it touts is untrue and purely for the sake of profit. Today I will tell you the truth about supplementation. There are a number of supplements which my trainers and I have tried, tested and found to be of benefit.
Our recommendations are split in to three categories health, joint care and weight loss. The latter will be of great interest to most people I am sure.

These days it is becoming increasingly more challenging to get the right amount of vitamins and minerals from the foods we eat. Continuous farming without correct replenishing of the ground is producing foods with a lesser nutrient value than in past years. Combine this with an intake of certain substances which actually hinder mineral absorption such as caffeine and alcohol and it is no surprise that deficiencies are commonplace.

Health - Multi Vitamins
I would recommend these as a matter of course each day. They are relatively cheap and their benefit is generally considered conclusive by experts. Generally the types that are suspended in liquid are better absorbed by the body. They are no substitute for a good diet with plenty of fresh foods but will definitely cover any areas of deficiency.

Joint support – Cod Liver Oil and Glucosaminer
Most people as they get older tend to find they have problems with their joints and bones and this will only get worse over time. A couple of supplements are available which will dramatically improve joint pain. Cod liver oil helps to lubricate the joints as well as giving the heart essential oils.
Glucosamine is a superb supplement which helps to rebuild certain structures within the joints and one which I would definitely recommend. Costing just pennies a day a must for anyone with joint problems.

Weight Loss Products, Thermogenics and Fat binders
Thermogenics used to contain certain ingredients which have now been banned and are no longer available. The ingredients in these products were high doses of caffeine and ephedrine. The problems with these substances are that caffeine is a diuretic and can stop the absorption of calcium to the bones leaving them weakened and Ephedrine increases the workload placed on the heart and can increase blood pressure. For those with a weak heart the extra stress of these products could have been fatal.
There is however a new wave of products which do not contain ephedrine or caffeine but and are successful at promoting fat loss. We have trialled these new thermogenics and found them to be extremely effective. They are starch blockers and natural plant based fat metabolisers. Please note however that these products will only be effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Fat binders are now available without prescription. My experience of these is not brilliant, not a long term solution and complete with many unpleasant side effects. Only the fat that you eat is eradicated and not your fat stores. To lose weight and change body shape you would still need to cut down on the food you eat and exercise more.

To summarise, supplements could be a good idea if they are in addition to or combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise and can really speed up your progress towards your goals. Please, please, please be very wary of any amazing new products which claim to give you mind blowing results, or replace a healthy balanced diet because they tend to be hype and not a healthy long term solution.