Blood Pressure Medications and Fat Burning Supplements

Fat-burners can be a valuable addition to a dietary and exercise program aimed at weight loss, since they boost your metabolism and increase fat-burning. Many fat-burners use caffeine and other compounds that increase blood pressure or may interfere with blood pressure medications. However, certain fat-burners on the market today are effective and safe for people taking blood pressure medicine. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking supplements.

Although calcium is normally associated with bone health, adding this mineral in supplement form to your diet may increase fat loss, according to a study published in the April 2004 issue of "Obesity Research." Scientists at the University of Tennessee observed that adults with obesity supplementing 800 or 1,200 milligrams of calcium with their calorie-reduced diet experienced greater weight loss after 24 weeks compared with those who received a placebo.

Phaseolus vulgaris extract, also known as white bean extract, works by inhibiting or slowing the breakdown of complex carbs in the body, which helps keep blood sugar and insulin levels stable. Over time, this enhances the use of fat as fuel by the body. In research reported in the January 2007 issue of the "International Journal of Medical Sciences," researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center found that overweight subjects taking Phaseolus vulgaris extract daily for 30 days while adhering to a carbohydrate-rich diet lowered their body weight and fat mass compared with those who had a placebo.

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats that might promote weight loss. Researchers at the University of South Australia reported in the May 2007 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," that subjects consuming 6 grams of fish oil daily and performing aerobic exercise three times per week for 12 weeks reduced body fat compared with those following the same exercise program with 6 grams of sunflower oil.

Soluble fiber regulates bowel movements and improves gastrointestinal health. It also attracts water into the stomach, which makes you feel full and decreases calorie intake. This in turn leads to weight loss. Scientists at Universitat Rovira in Spain discovered patients with overweight and obesity taking 3 grams of the fiber supplement psyllium husk and 1 gram of glucomannan twice daily for 16 weeks experienced greater weight loss compared with those who had a placebo. The findings were published in the June 2008 issue of the "British Journal of Nutrition."