The many different types of weight loss supplements can cause a lot of confusion for the customer. So here are some of the most common types and what they can do for people who need to lose weight. The two main varieties are those that are taken to directly help with quick weight loss and those that are taken for general health and well being to support someone who is on a diet.

One of the most common types of supplement that will help dieters is the appetite suppressant. It is possible to get this type as a prescription medication as well as an herbal supplement. This works by controlling the physical desire to eat. A person taking this will not feel hungry, making it a great benefit to dieters who complain that they feel hungry all the time.

Carbohydrate blockers are another favorite type of supplement. They work by interfering in the way the body metabolizes carbohydrates, stopping them from being fully digested, which means that less sugar makes it to the blood. People on a low-fat diet will find this especially useful, as with a low-fat diet the biggest source of calories is usually carbohydrates. However a person considering taking these must be careful, as there are some medications that it does not combine well with, especially those for diabetes.

A popular supplement that used to be only available on prescription but can now be bought over the counter is the fat blocker. These help the dieter by stopping their body from digesting some of the fat that is eaten, up to 25%. The effect of this is that the fat is not digested and goes straight through the digestive system. If a careful diet is not followed the side-effects can be unfortunate. But an upside to the side-effects is that when the dieter knows what will happen if they eat too much fat then they are more motivated to avoid taking in too much fat.

A favorite type of supplement is one which provides a boost to the metabolism. This means that the body needs more fuel to run on - so following the same diet and exercise program should mean more fat loss occurs each week. These supplements should also have the welcome side effects of making you feel less tired and more energetic.

Many people who are on a diet feel that their nutritional intake may be inadequate. There are a number of vitamin and mineral supplements aimed to help with this. There are also a number of micronutrient supplements that help to support a person who is losing weight but are not trying to directly cause weight to be lost. The B vitamin family is especially important for people trying to slim down.

There is growing interest in herbal and fruit drinks that are formulated to be dietary supplements and sometimes energy drinks. They generally contain the juice, extract or concentrate of a number of super fruits. These are mainly exotic fruits that are naturally high in various beneficial substances such as antioxidants and phytonutrients. These drinks are generally not designed specifically for dieters but for everyone who needs a general health boost. They often claim to be able to help with things like join health, cholesterol control, and sugar balance.