The array of weight loss supplements available on the market can be very confusing to the consumer. Here are a few of the common types and how they will benefit someone who wants to lose weight. These supplements fall into two categories, those that directly aid fast weight loss and those that promote general health and will support weight loss.

Appetite suppressants are probably the most popular type of supplement for dieters. They stop a person from feeling hungry. When a person does not feel hungry they are much less likely to over eat or indulge in sweet treats. Stronger versions of this can also be given by prescription.

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 burning occurs each week. These supplements should also have the welcome side effects of making you feel less tired and more energetic.

Many people on a restricted diet like to take vitamin and mineral supplement. This is because when following a restricted diet, a person may not get all the vitamins and minerals that they need from their ordinary food intake. There are many varieties of these tablets available; they usually contain good amounts of the B vitamins and other compounds that may be beneficial to a dieter.

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.