Next to building muscle mass, the quest to lose weight and burn fat is the most popular fitness goal. Shedding excess weight and extra adipose tissue doesn't just help you look good, it's also been shown to be great for your health. Excess adipose tissue has been associated with higher levels of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

If weight loss is at the top of your fitness goals, supplementation, as a part of a healthy diet and exercise program, may be able to promote a higher level of fat burning. Let's take a look at the top 3 supplement ingredients that you need to use to burn more fat and achieve your weight loss goals.

3. L-Carnitine

Hands down, one of the most popular fat burning ingredients, L-Carnitine has been proven time and time again to be effective at supporting weight loss.

L-Carnitine encourages the use of fat as energy by helping it into the mitochondria of a cell. Once inside, the mitochondria will burn the fat as a fuel source.

L-Carnitine has also been suggested to be an effective anti-inflammatory. Not only can it promote fat burning but it may also alleviate inflammation in joints, especially if you often feel stiff or sore post-workout. (1-3)

• Suggested dosage: 4 grams per day

2. CLA

Is your goal to burn extra calories?
Want to also build muscle?

Need to protect your current level of muscle while losing weight?

CLA may be the perfect supplement for you.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid, more commonly known as CLA, has been shown in a number of studies to support fat loss AND muscle building.

CLA is suggested to support fat burning and long-term weight loss. While it is promoting weight loss, it can also be a powerful ally to muscle tissue. It does so by helping with protein synthesis in the body. This, in turn, will help prevent protein catabolism, or the breakdown of muscle tissue. Protein synthesis can also be helpful when trying to increase muscular size. (4-6)

• Suggested dosage: 5 grams per day

1. Guarana

Last but certainly not least, we have guarana. This is a potent herbal remedy that has been used in the Amazonian jungles for hundreds of years as a communal drink that promotes overall health. Science has finally shed light on the benefits of guarana with the most popular being energy boosting and weight loss support.

Guarana has been shown in several studies to be as effective as caffeine when it comes to energy levels. For those who are caffeine sensitive, guarana may be the next best thing as it doesn't include the characteristic anxiety that comes with caffeine use.

On top of more energy, guarana has been suggested to improve cognitive ability by boosting focus and alertness.

Finally, guarana may be able to promote an elevated metabolic response that support overall weight loss. (7-8)

• Suggested dosage: 700 milligrams per day

Conclusion

Taken as a part of a healthy diet and exercise program, L-Carnitine, CLA, and Guarana may be the powerful trio you need to see better weight loss results. Want to save money and find all three of these ingredients in one place? Make your own supplement!

With the Amino Z Supplement Builder, you can create your own supplement with the ideal dosages suggested above. Check out the Amino Z Supplement Builder now to get started on your perfect fat burning supplement.

References

1. Brandsch C, Eder K. Effect of L-carnitine on weight loss and body composition of rats fed a hypocaloric diet. Ann Nutr Metab. 2002;46(5):205-10.

2. Malek Mahdavi A, Mahdavi R, Kolahi S. Effects of l-Carnitine Supplementation on Serum Inflammatory Factors and Matrix Metalloproteinase Enzymes in Females with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2016 Sep-Oct;35(7):597-603. Epub 2016 Mar 2.

3. Smeland OB, Meisingset TW, Borges K, Sonnewald U. Chronic acetyl-L-carnitine alters brain energy metabolism and increases noradrenaline and serotonin content in healthy mice. Neurochem Int. 2012 Jul;61(1):100-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.04.008. Epub 2012.

4. Whigham LD, Watras AC, Schoeller DA. Efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid for reducing fat mass: a meta-analysis in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1203-11.

5. Vaughan RA, Garcia-Smith R, Bisoffi M, Conn CA, Trujillo KA. Conjugated linoleic acid or omega 3 fatty acids increase mitochondrial biosynthesis and metabolism in skeletal muscle cells. Lipids Health Dis. 2012;11:142.

6. DeLany, James P., et al. (1999). Conjugated linoleic acid rapidly reduces body fat content in mice without affecting energy intake. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology276, 4, R1172-R1179.

7. Kennedy DO, Haskell CF, Wesnes KA, Scholey AB. Improved cognitive performance in human volunteers following administration of guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract: comparison and interaction with Panax ginseng. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2004 Nov;79(3):401-11.

8. Moustakas D, Mezzio M, Rodriguez BR, Constable MA, Mulligan ME, Voura EB. Guarana Provides Additional Stimulation over Caffeine Alone in the Planarian Model. Holscher C, ed. PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0123310. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0123310.

Everyone is looking for that extra edge when it comes to their health and fitness goals. This doesn't just apply to athletes. Think about it: How would you like to burn more body fat? How about recovering quicker after a tough workout? With goals like this, it's no wonder the supplement industry has become the giant it is.

While there are plenty of 'all talk' supplements, L-Carnitine has the scientific backing to warrant a closer look. Let's take a look at the 4 ways L-Carnitine may be able to boost muscle, strength, and fat loss.

4. Amplifies Fat Burning

Fat burning is L-Carnitine's most popular benefit, which is the reason you find it in so many supplements. Taken at an appropriate dose, L-Carnitine may be able to seriously amplify fat burning in your body. How's that possible?

L-Carnitine, an amino acid, directly supports the transport of fat into the mitochondria of cells. Once inside the mitochondria, the fat is used for energy.

3. Give Yourself a Brain Boost

One of the less well known benefits of L-Carnitine is its ability to enhance cognitive function including perceived energy levels, mood, and cognitive performance. How's that possible?

First, studies suggest that L-Carnitine is able to promote the removal of toxins that have built up over time in the body. Second, L-Carnitine may support the release of the brain chemicals noradrenaline and serotonin.

Noradrenaline, more commonly referred to as norepinephrine, stimulates the central nervous system and raises blood pressure. The result is a big boost in focus and alertness.

Serotonin is that 'feel good' chemical in the brain that alleviates symptoms of depress and anxiety.

2. Enhance Recovery

Who enjoys being so sore the day after a workout that they can't walk? Not many people.

When you want to boost your recovery post-workout, L-Carnitine may be able to help you do it. Studies suggest that supplementing with L-Carnitine may help promote the anabolic environment needed for heightened recovery. This is especially true for muscle building and strength gains.

1. Target Belly Fat

The 'pooch' or 'beer belly' may be a punchline but its health consequences are anything but funny.

Visceral fat, or belly fat, is a sign of a larger health problem waiting to happen. Those with excess belly fat have been shown to have more cardiovascular health problems than those without.

Lucky for you, L-Carnitine is here to help. Studies suggest that L-Carnitine supplementation may be able to support belly fat loss. Sure, this will improve your physique but, more importantly, it will improve your cardiovascular health.

References

1. Brandsch C, Eder K. Effect of L-carnitine on weight loss and body composition of rats fed a hypocaloric diet. Ann Nutr Metab. 2002;46(5):205-10.

2. Malek Mahdavi A, Mahdavi R, Kolahi S. Effects of l-Carnitine Supplementation on Serum Inflammatory Factors and Matrix Metalloproteinase Enzymes in Females with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2016 Sep-Oct;35(7):597-603. Epub 2016 Mar 2.

3. Smeland OB, Meisingset TW, Borges K, Sonnewald U. Chronic acetyl-L-carnitine alters brain energy metabolism and increases noradrenaline and serotonin content in healthy mice. Neurochem Int. 2012 Jul;61(1):100-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.04.008. Epub 2012 Apr 23.

4. Kang JS, Lee WK, Lee CW, Yoon WK, Kim N, Park SK, Lee HS, Park HK, Han SB, Yun J, Lee K, Lee KH, Park SK, Kim HM. Improvement of high-fat diet-induced obesity by a mixture of red grape extract, soy isoflavone and L-carnitine: implications in cardiovascular and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Food Chem Toxicol. 2011 Sep;49(9):2453-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.06.071. Epub 2011 Jul 2.