Best Appetite Suppressant for Weight Loss

Discover the best appetite suppressants for weight loss, including their use, benefits, and how Mochi Health's personalized approach could revolutionize your weight management plan.

Table of Contents
  • Understanding Appetite Suppressants and How They Work
  • Who Should Consider Appetite Suppressants For Weight Loss
  • Top Recommended Appetite Suppressants for Individuals Seeking Weight Loss
  • The Role of Appetite Suppressants in Weight Loss Management
  • Why Consider Appetite Suppressants?
  • How to Safely Incorporate Appetite Suppressants into Your Weight Loss Plan

With countless supplements on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Are you tired of sifting through endless products that promise miraculous results but fail to deliver? You're not alone.

This guide is designed to cut through the noise and provide science-backed information on the best weight-loss supplements. Discover which supplements can support your weight loss journey and help you achieve your goals safely and effectively.

Understanding Appetite Suppressants and How They Work

Appetite suppressants reduce hunger and help extend the feeling of fullness, whether in the form of a medication like a GLP-1 receptor agonist or a natural supplement. While their effectiveness varies, all of these options help curb your appetite. Here’s a quick overview of how they work to reduce caloric intake and promote weight loss:

  • Boost fullness: Adjusting hormone levels to help you feel fuller for longer
  • Reduce appetite: Altering brain chemistry to curb cravings and reduce your overall appetite
  • Enhance satiety: Improving how satisfied you feel after eating

Who Should Consider Appetite Suppressants For Weight Loss

Appetite suppressants are best suited for patients who meet the following criteria:

  • BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater
  • BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia

Top Recommended Appetite Suppressants for Individuals Seeking Weight Loss

It’s important to distinguish between over-the-counter solutions and prescription medications, as each plays a unique role in weight management. They work through different mechanisms, and their efficacy and safety profiles vary. Here’s a breakdown of the different appetite suppressants available to help you narrow down the right choice for you:

Over-the-Counter Appetite Suppressants

  • Fiber Supplements: Products like psyllium husk or Metamucil are great for promoting gut health and preventing constipation. While they can provide mild appetite suppression, their effects are generally not very strong (3).
  • Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, and various drinks, caffeine has been shown to offer transient or mild appetite suppression. However, research indicates that it’s not a long-term solution for weight loss (4).
  • Green Tea Extract: Often touted for its weight loss benefits, it can modestly reduce appetite and boost fat metabolism. It regulates ghrelin, the hormone that signals hunger to your brain (5).

Prescription Appetite Suppressants

  • GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Medications like Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy) are highly effective for appetite suppression. They mimic a natural hormone that targets the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and brain, helping to control appetite and reduce caloric intake, leading to weight loss.
  • Phentermine-Topiramate: This combination medication includes phentermine, which releases norepinephrine to reduce hunger, and topiramate, which alters GABA and glutamate channels in the brain to suppress cravings and appetite.
  • Bupropion-Naltrexone (Contrave): This medication combines bupropion, a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, with naltrexone, a mu-receptor antagonist. Naltrexone blocks the mu-receptor, affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to suppress appetite and reduce cravings.
  • Orlistat: An older medication, Orlistat reduces fat absorption in the intestines, leading to weight loss. Its use has declined due to the inconvenience of side effects like oily stools.

Prescription medications like Mounjaro®, Wegovy®, or Contrave are available only through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Avoid any source that offers these medications without proper medical consultation.

The Role of Appetite Suppressants in Weight Loss Management

Cravings and hunger levels play a large part in weight loss results, and there are a variety of metabolic factors at play that can be difficult to overcome with sheer willpower. Recent research shows that fat tissue acts as an active organ, often working against your efforts to shed those extra pounds (1). This is where appetite suppressants can make a difference:

  • Overcoming Plateaus: Appetite suppressants can help you push past those frustrating weight loss plateaus.
  • Meeting Nutritional Needs: They help ensure you get the nutrients you need without overeating.
  • Building Healthy Habits: By controlling your appetite, they make it easier to develop sustainable eating habits that support long-term health goals.

It’s important to remember that while appetite suppressants can be a helpful tool, they should be used as part of a comprehensive weight loss strategy that includes:

  • Balanced Diet: Focus on nutrient-dense foods that provide essential vitamins and minerals.
  • Regular Physical Activity: Incorporate aerobic and strength-training exercises tailored to individual capability and health status.
  • Medical Supervision: Consult with healthcare providers to ensure the chosen appetite suppressant is safe and appropriate, considering any underlying health conditions or medications.

Why Consider Appetite Suppressants?

By integrating appetite suppressants thoughtfully into a broader health routine, individuals with obesity can find an additional layer of support in their journey towards healthier living.

Appetite suppressants can help individuals reduce their caloric intake, contributing to steady and sustainable weight loss. This is particularly beneficial for those who struggle with traditional diet plans, which often leave them feeling hungry and unsatisfied. Appetite suppressants can make it easier to adhere to dietary guidelines by reducing the discomfort associated with hunger, thus improving the likelihood of long-term success.

Weight loss achieved through the use of appetite suppressants can also lead to improvements in metabolic health. This includes better blood sugar control, lower cholesterol levels, and reduced blood pressure, all critical factors in managing obesity-related health risks.

How to Safely Incorporate Appetite Suppressants into Your Weight Loss Plan

While appetite suppressants are generally safe, it’s important to approach them with caution. Here’s how to ensure their safety and effectiveness:

  • Consult a Healthcare Provider: Discuss your health goals and the suitability of appetite suppressants with your doctor.
  • Follow a Personalized Plan: Adhere to the recommended dosage and monitoring schedule provided by your healthcare provider.
  • Combine with Lifestyle Changes: Enhance the effectiveness of appetite suppressants with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular appointments with your provider to adjust your plan as needed.

Mochi Health provides access to board-certified obesity medicine providers and registered dietitians ready to construct a tailored weight loss plan that works harmoniously with your body’s needs. Our comprehensive approach ensures that you’re supported every step of the way, from medication management to lifestyle coaching.

Join Mochi Health For Personalized Weight Loss Support

At Mochi Health, we understand that weight loss is a personal and challenging journey. Our promise is to deliver science-backed insights and personalized care to help you achieve your health goals. We offer:

  • 1-on-1 provider support from licensed physicians.
  • 24/7 customer support and direct messaging with your provider.
  • Medications delivered to your door, making adherence seamless.

Whether you have commercial insurance or are uninsured, Mochi Health is here to support you. Learn more about how we can personalize a weight loss program for you. Explore your eligibility for our program today and start your path to a healthier you with Mochi Health.

This post was written by our team of health writers for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health. Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound® and their delivery device are registered trademarks. Mochi Health is a telehealth clinic that offers prescriptions for these products by medical necessity only as determined by a licensed health provider.

Sources

  1. Whittle AJ, Jiang M, Peirce V, Relat J, Virtue S, Ebinuma H, Fukamachi I, Yamaguchi T, Takahashi M, Murano T, Tatsuno I, Takeuchi M, Nakaseko C, Jin W, Jin Z, Campbell M, Schneider WJ, Vidal-Puig A, Bujo H. Soluble LR11/SorLA represses thermogenesis in adipose tissue and correlates with BMI in humans. Nat Commun. 2015 Nov 20;6:8951. doi: 10.1038/ncomms9951. PMID: 26584636; PMCID: PMC4673879.
  2. Gray P, Murphy M, Gallagher A, Simpson EEA. A qualitative investigation of physical activity compensation among older adults. Br J Health Psychol. 2018 Feb;23(1):208-224. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12282. Epub 2017 Nov 24. PMID: 29171704.
  3. Clark MJ, Slavin JL. The effect of fiber on satiety and food intake: a systematic review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2013;32(3):200-11. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2013.791194. PMID: 23885994.
  4. Clark MJ, Slavin JL. The effect of fiber on satiety and food intake: a systematic review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2013;32(3):200-11. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2013.791194. PMID: 23885994.
  5. Chen IJ, Liu CY, Chiu JP, Hsu CH. Therapeutic effect of high-dose green tea extract on weight reduction: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin Nutr. 2016 Jun;35(3):592-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2015.05.003. Epub 2015 May 29. PMID: 26093535.

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