The best weight loss supplements for men are Orlistat, Garcinia cambogia, and CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid). To tackle their weight issues, men should ideally opt for a combination of the right food habits and the right calorie-burning routine. However, it is one of those easier-said-than-done things. This reality is made clearer by the statistics showing over 73% of men facing obesity in 2013-14.
To aid these efforts to reach the desired results, a choice of supplements is more easily accessible than ever before. If you are thinking of giving it a try, we have brought together the 4 best weight loss supplements for men which might help you with the push you need.
Best Weight Loss Supplements for Men
Weight loss supplements, like many fat burners or thermogenics, work in a variety of ways. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The best weight loss supplements for men have to be picked from a wide variety presently available in the market. Based on their composition, each of them addresses the problems under the ‘weight loss’ umbrella in a varying manner. While some might inhibit appetite, others can burn fat quicker. The ideal choice is based on your requirements, preferences, and health history. Let’s take a look at the best weight loss supplements for men in detail.
Orlistat
Orlistat is classified as an intestinal lipase inhibitor. Put simply, it stops the absorption of fat and thus reduces the percentage of fat in the body, which in turn translates to weight loss through fat loss. It is available as a prescription as well as a non-prescription capsule. While Alli is a popular over-the-counter variant, Xenical is a prescription drug.
The possible initial side effects include changes in:
- bowel movements
- rectal discomfort
- oily spotting
- headache
More severe side effects include:
- rashes
- nausea
- stomach pain
- breathing difficulties
- loss of appetite
Over a long term of orlistat usage, some cases of liver damage have also been reported. However, more studies are needed to accurately establish the connection between orlistat and liver damage. [1]
Caffeine
Apart from the other benefits, it has to offer, caffeine is quickly becoming popular as a weight-loss supplement for its ability to help in weight loss effort. The vast variety of caffeine-based supplements in the market makes it an easy entry on the list of best weight loss supplements for men.
While most supplements feature caffeine as an addition to the main feature, there are some supplements available which make caffeine the star. This is primarily used in addition as the results achieved by caffeine alone are moderate in comparison. Caffeine works by increasing fat oxidation, or breakdown, as well as increasing thermogenesis.
While there have not been any major concerns regarding side effects, caffeine is generally known to induce jitteriness, nervousness, and anxiousness. [2]
Garcinia Cambogia
Even if you haven’t been looking to lose weight using supplements, it is difficult to miss the presence of Garcinia Cambogia and its supplements. A study published in the Current Therapeutic Research, Clinical and Experimental journal suggests that it can be helpful in reducing visceral fat accumulation, thus helping reduce obesity. [3]
Native to southeast Asia, the rind of this fruit contains hydroxycitric acid. Also known as HCA, this is the star of the Garcinia Cambogia supplements which is supposed to suppress appetite, and thus help weight loss. If you already have a strict diet and activity regime and are looking to supplement it, Garcinia Cambogia might be right for you. [4]
While the fruit itself is a part of the several traditional Asian cuisines and is safe as a part of the established diet, supplements are packed with several other ingredients and have been linked to liver injury. [5]
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)
Conjugated Linoleic Acid, also found as CLA on a list of supplement ingredients are a group of fatty acids which are derived from ruminants. While CLA is not an optimal option as a supplement by itself, it does feature as a base ingredient for several supplements. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition suggests that CLA supplementation for 24 months is well-tolerated and can lead to a reduction in body fat mass in overweight in humans. This suggests that CLA alone can help achieve more noticeable results over a long-term. [6]
The possible side effects of CLA include abdominal irritations and oxidative stress. Naturewise CLA 1250 and Max Potency CLA 1250, available in gel capsules, is one of the popular CLA supplements which can be purchased over the counter.
Word of Caution: Even though most of the best weight loss supplements for men are available without a prescription, some of them might not be FDA approved. It is always best to consult your medical practitioner about weight loss supplements to ensure that they are useful as well as safe for you. [7]
