Even though losing weight can be as simple as dropping numbers on the scale, there are a lot more factors that need to be considered in the process of slimming down.

For example, healthy weight loss isn’t a disintegration of muscle stores or too much water loss. Instead, we’d like to lose weight directly from our supply of fat stores.

Although this sounds simple, and it is even the way our body is designed to work, it is harder to access those bulgy energy stores than we’d like to think. But even though it can be hard to do on your own, there are many supplements out there that have been specifically designed to help you on the road to a healthier weight.

Because there are so many different fat loss supplements on the market, it can be easy to feel lost in the hustle and to settle on the first one you see, without really researching the ingredients or reading the consumer reviews.

To ease this confusion, we’ve compiled a list of ingredients that have proven to give their users results.

Chitosan

What it is: Chitosan is derived from the external skeletons of marine animals, such as crabs, shrimps and lobsters.

What it does: It has been found to bind to fat molecules, making the fat a compound that is too large to pass through the intestinal wall, thus making the calories found in the fat indigestible to the body.

Ehpedra

What it is: Ephedra is an herb grown and found in Mongolia and China. Ephedrine (an extract of Ephedra) is an amphetamine-like compound which stimulates the nervous system and heart.

What it does: Originally found as an effective treatment for asthma, allergies, and sinus problems, ephedra is now usually marketed for weight loss because it stimulates the body’s natural processes, forcing the body to depend on their energy-rich fat stores for more calories.

Pyruvate

What it is: Pyruvate is a ketoacid produced in the end stages of glycolysis, or a byproduct of sugar metabolism.

What it does: Science has claimed it can increase fat and weight loss, reduce cholesterol, and improve endurance, although you should be sure that any fat loss supplement that contains pyruvate contains a very high amount, as this substance has been shown to be far less effective when found in small doses.

HCA (Hydroxycitrate)

What it is: HCA is found naturally in food and is generally extracted from the fruit of the Garcina cambogia tree which is grown in southern India.

What it does: HCA works with the nervous system to curb your appetite and increases glycogen storage in the muscles so that your body doesn’t feel like it is being deprived of energy.

The Bottom line

The process of losing weight can sometimes seem daunting and overwhelming, but you should never let these feelings stop you from becoming a healthier and happier person.

Don’t be afraid of using a supplement to help give you confidence and boost your weight loss product, but also don’t be conned into buying a supplement that won’t work.

When you’re shopping for a supplement, look for ones that use these ingredients, or ones that have been scientifically proven to target fat stores and make sure you’re losing weight from the right places.