Get a fat-burning edge by adding these ingredients to your get-lean routine.
When people ask, “How can I lose weight?” one of the most popular answers is, “Diet and exercise.”
Generally speaking, that’s a pretty good response, but it’s ignoring one other component that can play a significant role in helping you lose extra pounds of body fat: supplements.
A lot of people are skeptical of fat loss supplements, and rightfully so. A vast majority of products on the market are worthless because they don’t contain the right ingredients — ones that have been shown in scientific research to help the body expend more calories, increase metabolic rate, and ultimately burn body fat.
What are those ingredients? Below, I share my top 5 favorite science-backed fat loss supplements, plus a few “honorable mention” picks to try out.
Combine these supplements with the right workout program and diet (both of which can be found at JimStoppani.com), and you’ll have the ultimate fat-loss formula.
5 Best Ingredients for Fat Loss
1. Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Acetyl-L-carnitine is a more bioavailable form of carnitine, an amino acid derivative crucial for fat metabolism. Carnitine helps transport fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they’re burned for energy. If your carnitine levels are low, it can limit fat burning regardless of how well-balanced your diet is. To optimize fat loss, aim for 1 to 2 grams of acetyl-L-carnitine either before or with meals.
Where to get it: Shred JYM and SS8 Advanced Fat Burner
2. Caffeine
Aside from being the world's most popular stimulant, caffeine is also one of the most studied supplements for fat loss. Research has shown that 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine can enhance fat loss by mobilizing fat from fat cells, allowing it to be burned as fuel. Additionally, caffeine provides a much-needed energy boost when on a low-calorie diet, helping you stay active and alert.
Where to get it: Pre JYM, Pre JYM X, Shred JYM, and SS8 Advanced Fat Burner
3. Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is renowned for its numerous health benefits, including fat loss. The active ingredient, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), boosts metabolism and increases the number of calories burned daily. Taking 250 milligrams of EGCG before meals has been shown to reduce carbohydrate intake by 30%. Look for green tea extracts that offer this dose, typically from a 500 milligram extract standardized to 50% EGCG.
Where to get it: Shred JYM and SS8 Advanced Fat Burner
4. Capsaicin
The compound that gives chili peppers their heat, capsaicin is another potent fat-loss aid. Consuming about 50 milligrams of capsaicin from a standardized supplement like Capsimax can help you eat less and boost your metabolism, leading to greater calorie burn and reduced caloric intake.
Where to get it: Shred JYM and SS8 Advanced Fat Burner
5. Fish Oil
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, offers numerous health benefits, and also supports fat loss. The omega-3s activate genes that enhance fat burning and deactivate those that promote fat storage. A typical effective dose includes 1,500 milligrams each of DHA and EPA, along with 300 milligrams of DPA. This precise combination helps promote both health and fat loss, as well as muscle growth.
Where to get it: Omega JYM
Fat Loss Honorable Mention
Beyond my top 5 fat loss supplements, here are a few other ingredients worth considering to further enhance your get-lean efforts. All three of these are found in SS8, the more advanced formula of my two fat loss products.
- Yohimbe: A natural extract known for its ability to increase fat mobilization.
- Grains of Paradise: A spice that has been shown to increase energy expenditure and reduce body fat.
- Chromium Picolinate: A compound that helps manage appetite and regulate carbohydrate metabolism.