If you’re trying to saw off those extra love handles or get out of skinny-fat purgatory, turning to supplements for fat loss is a great way to give you an extra boost.

These supplements are designed to kick-start your body, helping you fight off the consequences of nightmarish diets from the past or the fatigue associated with exercise. But you have to use them safely.

The entire world of supplements is overwhelming. Let’s break down this intricate dimension into its simplest form. In this article, we’ll explain what to look for in fat loss supplements, how to use them safely and what they could do for you.

Understanding Supplements for Fat Loss

As you browse the shelves in the health aisle, you’ll notice supplements and fat burners generally fall into two categories: stimulants or non-stimulants. Understanding the difference between the two is the first step to giving your routine the one-up it needs.

Stimulants

If you’ve ever dieted before, you’ll know how irritable and fatigued it makes you. Stimulants alleviate these symptoms by providing the energy you need to get through the day.

Common ingredients in stimulants include caffeine, synephrine, green tea, DMAA and yohimbine.

When you consume a stimulant fat burner, your body secretes more adrenaline and nudges the sympathetic nervous system. This not only gives you energy, but it also increases your metabolism so you burn more calories.

These stimulants are usually referred to as thermogenics. Thermogenesis is the process that occurs when your body burns calories to produce heat, resulting in a higher metabolism.

Take stimulants 30 minutes before working out to give you the energy necessary to get through your exercise. They are also great for sleepy risers or the regular time of day when you notice your energy decline.

Research indicates green tea supplements increase metabolism by 4% and increase fat burning by 16% for twenty-four hours.

Stimulant-Free

Stimulant-free supplements focus less on producing energy to burn fat and more on other methods to aid you in your weight-loss journey. Many help your body utilize fat better or suppress your appetite so you eat less.

These supplements are ideal for those who prefer to avoid caffeine or other stimulants.

Lipotropic agents are among some of the well-known non-stimulant supplements. They aid in breaking down body fat during metabolism.

Another common stimulant-free supplement is appetite suppressants, which help avoid feelings of hunger. Take these shortly before your hungriest point in the day to help you get through it.

Other supplements affect the hormones. Increased levels of estrogen lead to excess stored fat while high levels of testosterone create lean muscle.

Keep Your Use Safe

While stimulants and non-stimulants are not the only type of supplement on the market, pills generally fall into one of these categories. You’ll notice as you shop that many, such as the one in this review, fall in between.

Now that you understand what they are and what they do, it’s time to discuss how to properly use them.

Keep in mind before undergoing any changes that it’s wise to speak to your doctor. He or she has a personal understanding of your medical history and will steer you away from anything that might not be beneficial.

Don’t Overdo It

It’s perfectly fine to use a stimulant and a non-stimulant, but avoid juggling too many supplements. Stick with just one or two.

Not only will this help you keep track of them better, but it also gives you the chance to see how you feel about one supplement’s side effects, if it actually works for you and if you’re starting to depend on one for energy or a different effect.

That leads to the next point.

Cycle

Every two to three weeks, stop taking your supplements. Go without them for an additional two weeks, then start taking them again.

Doing so “resets” your body. After relying on the aid of the ingredients in supplements, your body becomes immune to the effects. Caffeine, for instance, stops working, meaning you need to take extra pills to get that usual boost of energy.

Resist the temptation. Instead, give your body time to cleanse itself every few weeks.

Overdoses

Always follow the suggested dosage on the bottle.

Overdosing on some supplements marketed as fat burners can cause irreparable damage or even result in death. These supplements have subtle effects on the body, but when amplified those effects become catastrophic.

Stick to the recommended dosage and you’ll be just fine.

On a lighter note, if you’re taking a stimulant, consider how prone you are to jitters if you have sugar or caffeine.

If a cup of coffee makes you bounce off the walls, it’s probably wise to try a smaller dosage and see how it affects you. If this sounds like you, consider taking non-stimulants to avoid bouncing yourself into outer space.

Research

Supplements are not overseen by the FDA before they are marketed, so it’s important you thoroughly research the company, product reviews, and ingredients.

Many businesses offer completely natural products that may be more appealing to consumers. Even so, it’s advisable you speak to your doctor before taking supplements, especially if you suffer from chronic conditions or take other medications.

Hydrate

Some supplements make you sweat more. Consequently, that means you’ll need to drink more, as well.

Ingredients like caffeine and ephedrine may aid in boosting your metabolism, but they also cause dehydration. Drinking water is excellent for your health and helps lose weight, anyway, so adding more water to your diet isn’t a bad thing.

Work Out and Eat Properly

The main thing to remember with supplements is that you cannot rely solely on them to lose weight. Exercising and eating properly are the best ways to shed that fat.

Supplements do, however, give you that slight helping hand when you need them.

Listen to Your Body

Finally, listen to what your body tells you. If you don’t like how a supplement makes you feel, try a different one.

If you find yourself “craving” a fat burning pill for the energy it provides, give yourself a few weeks away from it.

Get Healthy

Doing all of these things will safely get you out of the skinny-fat dead zone and into healthy territory. If you understand what supplements for fat loss do, how they do it and how you can use them properly, you’ll have the aid you need to get rid of that last bit of fat.

But don’t forget there are other things that help, too. Take a look at our article about six delicious foods that burn belly fat.

Hey, who says you have to lose all the good things in life to get healthy?