About a third of Americans -- approximately 58 million -- are overweight, according to the most recent statistics. The theories for this startling statistic are varied; people work too much, don't exercise enough, they eat too much fast food, watch too much TV, etc.. The right answer maybe that the reason varies depending on the individual. However, why can't we lose the extra pounds we are carrying around?



Unfortunately for most of us the response to this simple formula is yes and no, it does depend on the individual. Some people can lose a few pounds simply by limiting the amount and types of foods they eat and introducing some form of cardiovascular exercise into their daily regimen.

However, for many of us, this formula is simply not enough. Weight loss supplements can prove to be a very effective addition to our weigh loss strategy. Staggering results have and continue to be achieved by people taking these supplements to help them lose weight.

There are literally thousands of weight loss products on the market today so we did some research to find out which products are working for the largest percentage of people. Many lofty claims abound, and one can't help but be skeptical.



The weight loss market has gone through a recent shake up; several recent high-profile tragedies including the death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Belcher have put many weight loss products in the spotlight. Products containing Ephedra (Ephedrine) (Ma Huang), a potentially dangerous herb that can cause a host of physiological problems, have been pulled from the market. Those individuals with heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, high-blood pressure, psychiatric condition, difficulty in urinating, prostate enlargement, or seizure disorder are particularly at risk. Companies are quick to offer Ephedra free versions, but are these as effective and/or safe as well? It is important to keep this information in mind when considering weight loss products, safety should be a primary concern.



The positive effects of weight loss both physical and mental are well documented. We won't go in depth as to each benefit as that is outside the scope of this article, however the main positive benefits include:

• Lower blood pressure
• Lowered risk of heart disease
• Reduced risk of diabetes
• Reduced risk of cancer
• Improved physical appearance
• Improved mental confidence

That is just the beginning; I would say that is a pretty solid case for taking weight loss seriously and shedding those extra pounds. Today, not tomorrow, take charge of your health, we are only given one opportunity on this earth, we should make the best of it.



The rest of this article focuses on a small group of products our research and testing found to be the most effective weight loss supplements on the market today. While the product's ability to help people lose weight was our primary research goal, we also looked at a host of other factor's consumers are interested in as well including; ingredient safety, cost, guarantee (if any), quantity, and customer support.