Weight Loss Supplements

In addition to the food products and the menu plan that we design for you, we may also suggest some nutritional supplements. These natural products allow you to stay within your daily calorie requirement, ensure that you are getting adequate vitamins, minerals and micronutrients, and also promote muscle growth and fat burning.

MetAssist

MetAssist is a supplement that is useful in patients with insulin resistance (Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Metabolic Syndrome, and Polycystic Ovarian Disease).  Insulin resistance is a very common condition which is under-diagnosed, since it has no outward symptoms.  A sign of potential insulin resistance is weight gain, especially in the abdominal area in both men and women. Insulin resistance is important because it may lead to Type II Diabetes if not diagnosed and treated. With insulin resistance, cells do not properly respond to insulin, which would normally drive glucose (sugar)  into the cells.  This results in the glucose staying in the blood and being converted to fat in the liver.  The fat resulting from this process is then stored in the abdominal area.  The natural ingredients in MetAssist work to make cells more sensitive to insulin, which helps the cells to use the glucose, lower blood sugar levels, decrease the formation of fat in the liver, increase serotonin levels so you feel more full, and decrease cravings for sweets. MetAssist may be a very important component of a weight loss plan; it helps patients who have pre-diabetes to metabolize glucose more effectively, decrease the formation of fat from glucose, lower their blood sugar levels and decrease abdominal fat.

Chromium

Chromium seems to have two main functions.  First, it improves sensitivity to insulin and helps drive glucose into muscle cells where the glucose is used for energy.  This helps to prevent the glucose from staying in the blood, being converted to fat, and being stored as fat.  Second, chromium seems to enhance muscle growth in individuals who incorporate resistance (weight) training into their weight loss programs.  We recommend this supplement to patients who have insulin resistance which is not responding to dietary measures alone.

HCA

This supplement seems to have multiple beneficial metabolic effects.  First, it inhibits the liver from making fat out of sugar.  Second, HCA seems to increase serotonin levels, which helps individuals decrease food intake by causing fullness with less food. Probably due to this effect on satiety, HCA is associated with decreased body weight.  In addition, HCA appears to lower blood levels of triglycerides, glucose and insulin,  and slows the development of insulin resistance.

CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)

CLA is useful as a metabolic supplement, to help the body burn fat.  While the mechanism of action of is not entirely clear, CLA seems to work by blocking fat from getting to cells.  It may also slow the development of new fat cells, and seems to direct fat to muscle cells to be used for energy.  CLA is useful during the calorie restriction part of a diet, but even more exciting is the fact that CLA seems to help sustain weight loss after the calorie restriction is over.   It is thought to preserve muscle while preventing fat reaccumulation, which is vital to maintaining weight and fat loss.

Multivitamins

Multivitamins are crucial for proper weight  and fat loss. Fat metabolism is a complex process requiring fat-soluble vitamins, B-vitamins, trace elements and minerals such as chromium. Many low-calorie diets are deficient in one or more of these minerals or elements. We offer an inexpensive, complete multivitamin to assure that your fat loss efforts are not delayed due to a dietary deficiency.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are “essential” because your body cannot make them; you must get them from your diet. EFA’s are a form of fat, yet they are crucial for fat burning. In addition to fat burning, the EFA’s seem to be important in combating heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, brain dysfunction, and skin disorders. This supplement comes in an easy-to-swallow gel cap, which is taken 2 or 3 times per day. Fish oil, high in Omega-3 fatty acids, is an important ingredient in this preparation.

KLB-5

Kelp, lecithin, blue-green algae, apple cider vinegar, and bromelain are the ingredients in KLB-5, which helps “re-shape” the body. Kelp contains iodine which is vital to proper thyroid function. The other natural ingredients help metabolize fat, increase satiety (feeling full), and increase thermogenesis (fat burning).  This supplement is a capsule that is taken 3 times per day, with meals.

Quick Trim Gold

This product attacks a weight problem on four fronts. First, it contains chromium, an essential mineral that helps drive blood glucose into muscle cells where it is used for energy. Chromium also helps you gain muscle mass, which is important for increasing your metabolism. Second, it contains green tea extract, which has a thermogenic effect on the body. In other words, it speeds up the burning of calories (mostly fat calories) during the day. Third, the caffeine component acts as a natural appetite suppressant. The fourth ingredient, HCA (hydroxycitric acid), decreases appetite by making you feel full; it also slows the process of turning sugar and starch into fat.  Quick Trim Gold is a natural preparation that is an alternative to prescription appetite suppressants, and is very useful in patients who are unable to tolerate the stimulant effect of many pharmaceuticals traditionally used for weight loss.