You might be used to hearing about vitamins and what they can do for your health, but have you ever wondered what vitamins YOU consume could do for your waistline?
Well, science has finally caught up and proven that certain vitamins can indeed help you lose weight.
So before you go trying to buy every vitamin known to man, read on about the top 10 vitamins that you need to try out as soon as possible.
1. Vitamin A
What is it?
Vitamin A is a group of compounds known as retinoids. Retinoids are vital for the health of your skin, as they help make it shine by boosting collagen production.
So basically, vitamin A helps your body produce more collagen – which is great for your skin but also helpful for the overall structure and function of your body.
2. Vitamin C
What is it?
Vitamin C is an organic compound that is essential for the health of your immune system, as it helps support your body’s natural defences against sickness and infection.
When you consume vitamin C, your body makes more of it, which is why doctors sometimes prescribe vitamin C supplements for their patients. Vitamin C also helps to maintain strong bones, as it promotes osteoblast activity – the cells that form new bone tissue.
So, yes, it’s good for your health and your waistline too.
3. Vitamin E
What is it?
Vitamin E is another compound that is vital for the health of your immune system. Like vitamin C, vitamin E helps protect your body against the damage caused by free radicals – molecules that can lead to cell damage and premature aging.
Vitamin E is also known for its antioxidant properties, as it can help neutralise and remove toxins from your body – such as heavy metals and benzene. So yes, it can help to protect your body against the damage done by toxins.
If you’re not sure how much vitamin E you need to eat, just keep in mind that it is commonly found in vegetable oils and some nuts. One of the best sources of vitamin E is natural vegetable oil. The best oils for you will depend on your diet, as some oils are better than others in terms of their effect on your health. For example, extra virgin olive oil is packed with antioxidants and can help to reduce the damage done by free radicals in your body. So if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to improve your health, olive oil is the way to go!
4. Vitamin B12
What is it?
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that is largely found in animal products but can also be found in some foods such as eggs and dairy. Vitamin B12 helps your body make new cells and maintain healthy nervous system function. It also plays a role in immune function and the growth of blood vessels. So it’s essential for your body’s general health and weight loss.
As with most vitamins, there are different varieties of vitamin B12. So if you’re not sure which type to choose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
5. Grapefruit
What is it?
Grapefruit is another great source of nutrients, as it contains a lot of vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidant compounds. Grapefruit can also help improve bone health, as it promotes osteoblast activity – the cells that form new bone tissue – and it inhibits osteoclast activity – the cells that break down and remove bone tissue.
So yes, grapefruit is a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants. What’s not to love?
6. Choline
What is it?
Choline is a water-soluble nutrient that is important for the health of your central nervous system. Your body does not produce choline on its own, so you need to get it from your diet in some shape or form. Your body does not store choline, so you have to keep up with your daily intake to maintain healthy brain and nerve function.
In terms of what form it comes in, choline is most commonly found in the combination of Betaine and Trimethylglycine. If you want to try choline, you can find it in some shaker bottles or in powder form directly in your dog’s food. You can also get it in the form of gummies or liquid drops. Just make sure that you don’t have any allergies to fish or shellfish, as some types of choline are derived from these foods. Allergies to peanuts are common as well, so make sure that you’re not consuming any peanuts before or during your choline intake.
7. Ferulic Acid
What is it?
Ferulic acid is a substance that is found in the walls of plant cells. The dietary fibre in plants helps protect them from rotting under natural conditions, as ferulic acid helps to increase the strength of the plant cell walls. In humans, ferulic acid helps strengthen blood vessel walls and prevent them from collapsing.
So yes, ferulic acid can help to prevent heart disease when consumed regularly.
8. Vitamin D
What is it?
Vitamin D is a nutrient that is mostly associated with protecting your bones during pregnancy and lactation. However, it is now known that vitamin D helps to protect your body from the damage done by free radicals and reduces inflammation – both of which help with reducing your waistline. Vitamin D also helps your immune system function properly.
Like most other vitamins, there are different varieties of vitamin D. So if you’re not sure which type to choose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
9. Capsaicin
What is it?
Capsaicin is the compound derived from chili peppers that gives them their spiciness. Capsaicin has many health advantages, as it helps to prevent diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and some cancers.
One of the reasons why capsaicin is so beneficial is because it helps to regulate your appetite. When consumed in small doses, capsaicin can help to reduce your hunger, so you may feel less tempted by calorically-rich food. It has also been found that capsaicin can speed up your metabolism, so you may lose weight faster than you would otherwise. In addition, some research suggests that capsaicin makes you feel less dirty when eating unhealthy foods, as it suppresses your body’s taste for sweet and fatty foods. So while you may not lose weight immediately due to the fact that you have to eat more veggies to meet your daily requirements for vitamins and minerals, you will eventually thank yourself for making the healthy choice and enjoying the additional benefits that come with a healthy diet.
10. And the Grand Finale…
This brings us to the end of our list of essential vitamins for weight loss. As you’ll see from the list, there are many compounds that nutritionists deem important for creating a lean and healthy body. If you want to try any of these out, seek advice from a professional first, as some of them can be dangerous if taken in excess.
If you’ve been wondering about vitamins and what they can do for your health, it’s finally time to find out. As you can see from the list above, there are many compounds that can help you achieve your weight loss goals. Some of them can even help to improve your overall well-being. So before you go throwing out all of your supplements and starting over again, try out these 10 vitamins and see how much weight you can lose.