Best Weight Loss Supplements for Women Backed by Science

In a culture that's always looking for a quick fix, the lure of weight loss supplements is powerful. However, before you waste your time and money on the next trending supplement with a huge marketing budget, it's helpful to understand how key nutrients aid in fat loss, especially when combined with a healthy, active lifestyle. As women address hormonal changes throughout life, they are especially vulnerable to weight gain, and a functional approach, addressing all angles, is required.

While there isn't a magic pill that will take out the work of lifestyle change, natural weight loss supplements can be the icing on the cake of an effective weight loss protocol.

"While there isn't a magic pill that will take out the work of lifestyle change, natural weight loss supplements can be the icing on the cake of an effective weight loss protocol."

Keep reading as we explore the best supplements for weight loss from Core Med Science, featuring scientifically backed ingredients for metabolic support. We'll discuss:

• Best supplements for weight loss - ALA, ALC, vitamin C, berberine
• The science behind natural weight loss supplements
• The best weight loss supplements for women - hint: they are liposomal

ALA Weight Loss Supplements

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring fatty acid that is a cofactor for energy production in the mitochondria of cells. It's also a potent antioxidant and has an excellent safety profile. ALA may also be one of the best supplements for weight loss due to its role in energy metabolism. Another weight loss mechanism may include how ALA helps decrease hunger and food intake. (Source 1, 2)

In an analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials, participants taking ALA supplements experienced greater weight loss compared to the placebo group. Another study examined R-ALA, the isomer with the highest bioavailability, over 24 weeks and suggests that R-ALA helps promote BMI (body mass index) reduction, increased antioxidant status, and reduced inflammation. (Source 1, 3)

ALC Weight Loss Supplements

Acetyl l-carnitine (ALC) is another critical nutrient in the category of natural weight loss supplements. ALC is a transporter molecule that shuttles fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are turned into energy. It's essential for fat-burning and fat loss. For women, weight loss isn't just about the number on the scale; it's about achieving a healthy body composition, and ALC can help.

"For women, weight loss isn't just about the number on the scale; it's about achieving a healthy body composition, and ALC can help."

In a meta-analysis of 37 randomized controlled trials, ALC supplementation resulted in a modest reduction in BMI, fat mass, and body weight, particularly in adults who carry extra body fat in the overweight or obese categories. (Source 4)

Vitamin C for Weight Loss

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and a widely available supplement that you may consider for immune support or skin health. Yet, it may also be considered one of the best weight loss supplements for women (or anyone). Again, it's a very safe supplement.

Studies suggest that people who are overweight or obese have a lower vitamin C status than those at a healthy weight. Differences in dietary intake could explain the varying vitamin C levels. However, individuals with excess body fat may require more vitamin C than the standard recommendations. (Source 5)

"Studies suggest that people who are overweight or obese have a lower vitamin C status than those at a healthy weight."

Additional research suggests that better vitamin C status promotes more fat oxidation (burning) during exercise, which makes sense because vitamin C is required for the production of ALC. Combining vitamin C supplements with exercise may have even greater benefits for weight reduction. (Source 6, 7)

Berberine Supplements and Weight Loss

Berberine isn't an essential nutrient involved in fat metabolism like the other supplements discussed here, but it is one of the most-studied herbal constituents. Berberine is an alkaloid from Oregon grape root and several other medicinal plants.

When examining the root causes of weight gain and weight loss resistance, elevated blood sugar and insulin resistance play a role. Berberine helps address the underlying metabolic dysfunction that makes weight loss challenging. In clinical trials, berberine supplementation has been shown to support weight loss. (Source 8)

"Berberine helps address the underlying metabolic dysfunction that makes weight loss challenging."

Best Weight Loss Supplements for Women

Core Med Science offers physician-formulated supplements, featuring leading liposomal technology that provides superior quality, absorption, and bioavailability, making a much-needed addition to your functional medicine weight loss protocol.

Core Med Science Liposomal ALC and R-ALA Capsules combine ALC and the preferred R-ALA version of these key nutrients for energy metabolism and fat burning within cells. Core Med Science Liposomal Vitamin C Softgels offer highly absorbable vitamin C to improve levels in the body. Finally, with Core Med Science Liposomal Berberine 300 mg Capsules you'll receive the metabolic benefits of this powerful herbal constituent.

Together, these supplements provide a powerful blend of nutrients to support sustainable weight loss and women's health goals over time.

References:

1. Kucukgoncu, S., Zhou, E., Lucas, K. B., & Tek, C. (2017). Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as a supplementation for weight loss: results from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 18(5), 594-601. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5523816/
2. https://www.webmd.com/diet/alpha-lipoic-acid-ala
3. Bobe, G., Michels, A. J., Zhang, W. J., Purnell, J. Q., Woffendin, C., Pereira, C., Vita, J. A., Thomas, N. O., Traber, M. G., Frei, B., & Hagen, T. M. (2020). A Randomized Controlled Trial of Long-Term (R)-α-Lipoic Acid Supplementation Promotes Weight Loss in Overweight or Obese Adults without Altering Baseline Elevated Plasma Triglyceride Concentrations. The Journal of nutrition, 150(9), 2336-2345. Full text: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32692358/
4. Talenezhad, N., Mohammadi, M., Ramezani-Jolfaie, N., Mozaffari-Khosravi, H., & Salehi-Abargouei, A. (2020). Effects of l-carnitine supplementation on weight loss and body composition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 randomized controlled clinical trials with dose-response analysis. Clinical nutrition ESPEN, 37, 9-23. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32359762/
5. Bird, J. K., Feskens, E. J., & Melse-Boonstra, A. (2024). A Systematized Review of the Relationship Between Obesity and Vitamin C Requirements. Current developments in nutrition, 8(5), 102152. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11039309/
6. Johnston C. S. (2005). Strategies for healthy weight loss: from vitamin C to the glycemic response. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 24(3), 158-165. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15930480/
7. Farag, H. A. M., Hosseinzadeh-Attar, M. J., Muhammad, B. A., Esmaillzadeh, A., & El Bilbeisi, A. H. (2019). Effects of vitamin C supplementation with and without endurance physical activity on components of metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition Experimental, 26, 23-33. Full text: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352939319300260
8. Asbaghi, O., Ghanbari, N., Shekari, M., Reiner, Ž., Amirani, E., Hallajzadeh, J., Mirsafaei, L., & Asemi, Z. (2020). The effect of berberine supplementation on obesity parameters, inflammation and liver function enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical nutrition ESPEN, 38, 43-49. Full text: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32690176/