For those looking to fight a slower metabolism, there are several options recommended by fitness gurus, from cardio training to supplements. However, while the effectiveness of cardio exercise has been proven, it can be unclear what role supplements play in increasing metabolism speed.
Supplements Can Provide A Small Metabolism Boost
If you are looking to lose weight purely via supplement use, you will be in for a long wait. Research has shown that many supplements which are marketed to boost thermogenesis, the production of heat which burns more calories, do not work.
For those metabolism-boosting supplements which do work, their effect was minimal. On average, the studies showed that no more than 4 lbs could be lost while relying solely on metabolism-boosting supplements.
Supplements that showed effectiveness (though the results were minimal) in speeding up the metabolism include:
- Green tea
- Ephedra
- Calcium supplements
- Fiber
- Caffeine
- Synephrine
Caution is recommended when using supplements containing ephedra, caffeine, or synephrine as they can have negative effects. Some effects which people experience are insomnia, irritable bowels, nausea, raised heart rate, and more.
Healthy Lifestyle Changes Are Best For Metabolism Improvement
Rather than rely solely on supplements for metabolism-raising effects, there are lifestyle changes you can make which are proven to raise your metabolism more effectively.
- Engage in high-intensity workouts – By performing high-intensity workouts, you can both burn fat and boost your metabolism for several hours after your workout has ended. This boost is created in part because more of your muscles are continually engaged, allowing you to build muscle and endurance faster as well as boost your metabolism. ProForm has many excellent cardio machines which you can perform an intense HIIT workout. Use our 2018 ProForm promo code to pick one up at a discounted price. After performing a session of HIIT, your metabolism is working at a higher rate for the next few hours following.
- Drink plenty of cold water – While cold water only provides a short boost in metabolism, it does create a completely natural increase. This metabolism increase is due to your body needing to heat up the water to your internal temperature. Also, if you replace high-calorie drinks with water, you can easily eliminate that source of extra calories and inflammation caused by sugars and artificial sweeteners.
- Get plenty of rest – When you lack sleep, your body reacts in several negative ways. You might experience a higher insulin resistance, increase in the hormone ghrelin (hunger hormone), and a drop in leptin (fullness hormone). Adults need between 7-9 consecutive hours of sleep at night to be properly rested.
If you are looking for effective supplements to increase your metabolism, give your body a natural boost and try including some of these lifestyle changes. Combined with the use of safe supplements like green tea and fiber, you’re sure to see great health benefits and changes in your metabolism.
