Although supplements are not ‘magic pills’, they may be effective in boosting our metabolism allowing you to enhance your weight loss. Always be sure to consult your physician, and follow the dosing instructions as larger amounts will not produce quicker results and instead may cause unpleasant or dangerous side effects. But if you’re asking “What will help me lose weight?, consider dietary supplements. Green Tea The thing about green tea is that it has been used in Asia for thousands of years as an herbal medicine. Research has proven its many health benefits from cholesterol-lowering properties, as a potent antioxidant, and protecting against some cancers. Green tea is now being touted for its benefits in boosting metabolism and aiding in weight loss. One study studied the effects of green tea on healthy young men whose body types ranged from lean to mildly overweight. The study participants were put on a ‘typical western diet’ of about 13% protein, 40% fat and 47% carbohydrate. For six weeks, the participants took two capsules consisting of either green tea extract plus 50mgs of caffeine, 50mgs of caffeine alone, or a placebo with each meal. The participants were tested three times during the study and the results showed that the men taking the green tea extract experienced a significant increase in the number of calories used in a 24-hour period, and a significant decrease in how well the body utilizes carbohydrates, proteins and fats (a lower score means more fats are being metabolized by the body for energy). The scientists surmised that substances known as catechin polyphenols in green tea extract might alter the body’s use of norepinephrine, a chemical transmitter in the nervous system, increasing the rate of calorie burning. It was concluded, “green tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation. Green tea extract may play a role in the control of body composition via sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation, or both.