Losing weight and/or reducing abdominal fat is not an easy task. It requires an understanding of what goes into healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. It requires a vigorous exercise regimen both to increase the calorie deficit and to tone the body underneath all that fat. For many, this is the tried and true approach to fat loss.

However, there are many people who just can’t seem to lose weight, regardless of the approach they use. Meal plans from the weight loss industry leaders seem to do little. The latest celebrity techniques seem equally useless. Calories counted, chicken breasts and canned tuna consumed, enough vegetables to turn green, and yet the cellulite and belly fat remain.

But what if losing fat is more than just counting calories and eliminating sweat? If you want to lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than you need for daily life. And while exercise isn’t essential to losing weight, exercise strengthens and tones your body. Exercise also helps to further increase the caloric deficit.

Considering calorie reduction and exercise, it must be recognized that weight loss is a complex equation involving more than those two factors. For a large segment of the population, those two factors might be enough. However, for many, other factors must be considered.

There are various hormones involved that can contribute to how our bodies store or burn fat. Are those hormones in balance? Are there hormonal deficiencies? If so, how are these issues addressed for weight loss to occur?

The digestive tract is a complex mechanism where the various organs must work in harmony to break down food, absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. Is this happening correctly? Is there toxic waste that is not being disposed of? Is there stomach swelling?

Finally, is the metabolism fast enough or active enough? Cutting calories and exercising more may not be enough if these other factors are out of sync. With that possibility, are there ways to address these issues? Or put another way, what are the best dietary supplements for belly fat reduction and fat loss?

Because what is really needed is something that complements calorie reduction and exercise. If traditional media isn’t making a tooth, then some extra oomph is needed. And there are supplements that can address some of these issues.

Something as common as Metamucil can help build a healthier digestive tract by adding needed fiber as a prebiotic. Supplements that target hormones like Motilin help remove toxic waste from the body. Herbs and plants like Garcinia Cambogia, Maca Root, and Licorice Root work to build a cleaner environment within the digestive tract. Various forms of ginseng can increase energy and vitality. Amino acids like L-carnitine work to better utilize fats and energy.

If traditional weight loss programs don’t work, the first step should always be to consult with your healthcare provider or doctor. The second step would be to research all the supplements that can help reduce belly fat or fat loss. Always seek expert opinion and when in doubt, go back to step one.

As you research the various supplements, look up their ingredient list and dig deeper into what it is. Does it contain Garcinia Cambogia, L-Carnitine, Eleuthero, Maca Root and the like? Is it non-GMO and manufactured in FDA approved facilities? What are the additives?

Also, consider customer testimonials and reviews. What is the percentage of 5 stars to 1 star? Is there a theme or trend in the negative reviews? How robust and responsive is the refund policy?

Finally, does the potential flat stomach result outweigh the cost of the item? Will you be throwing your money away (or not, if the refund policy is real) or will it be an investment in your health? The answers to these questions should help you select the best abdominal fat reduction and fat loss dietary supplement for you.