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I promised that I would write about the supplements that helped me get over my weight loss plateau. (After losing 22 pounds, I stalled at that weight and for around 6 weeks, could not get my weight to lower, until I read about these supplements, and began to take them. I have since lost an additional 6 pounds, and am losing 1 1/2-2 pounds weekly.)

It is possible to rev up your metabolism by taking nutritional supplements, rather than stimulants.

First, I want to offer a brief introduction about how energy is produced at the cellular level. The body’s energy is produced in tiny structures inside individual cells which are called mitochondria, they are basically microscopic energy producers, and produce a substance called ATP or adenosine triphosphate.

ATP affects our metabolism, as well as how energized we feel. It allows the individual cells to work, and determines our overall feelings of vitality.

As we age, the number of mitochondria in each cell declines, and the function of the remaining mitochondria diminish. This can be a result of lifelong exposure to varying stressors, such as toxins, infections, medications, radiation, and alcohol, even physical or mental stress. These stressors can interfere with the functioning of the mitochondria, as well as production of new mitochondria within the cells.

Fewer mitochondria and less effective functioning of the mitochondria results in less ATP. Our metabolism slows down, and we feel we have less energy.

There are some nutritional supplements which help improve the functioning of the mitochondria, as well as production of ATP, and this helps boost our metabolism, and helps with weight loss.

There are five supplements which seem especially effective. They are all readily available, and generally safe.

The first is CoQ-10, which is a substance found throughout the body. It is a potent antioxidant, and is so widely spread throughout the body, that it was originally called ubiquinol or ubiquinone, (both names come from the word ubiquitous). It is a nutrient that is required for ATP production. (If you are taking any kind of blood thinners, please check with your doctor before adding CoQ-10 to your diet, as it can also thin the blood.) 100 mg once a day is a typical dose, although if you are feeling very fatigued, you can take 100 mg two or three times a day. It’s generally helpful to take it with food.

L-Carnitine is the next supplement. It is considered to be a conditionally essential nutrient, because it can be made in the body, primarily in the liver and the kidneys, from two essential amino acids, lysine and methionine. One of its functions is to transport fatty acids into the mitochondria where they can be used as fuel. It also helps to remove waste products from the cell. 1500 mg twice a day is a suggested dose.

Resveratrol is another antioxidant, and is thought to be one of the factors that give red wine its health benefits. It is found in grape vines, roots, stalks, seeds, but the highest concentration in the grape plant is in the grape skins. (This is why red wine has a higher amount of Resveratrol than white wine, since white wine generally is prepared from juice, while red wine also uses the skin and seeds. Resveratrol seems to increase the number of mitochondria in muscles and other body tissues. It also activates the SRTI gene, which appears to be connected to longevity. Resveratrol also helps reduce fat deposits in the body. There are other sources of Resveratrol, including peanuts and some herbs. A suggested dose is 125 mg a day.

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, after calcium, phosphorus and potassium. It is involved in more than three hundred metabolic reactions. It helps boost vitality, while also calming the nervous system. It is necessary for nearly every major biological process. Suggested dose is 200 mg twice daily.

d-Ribose, a sugar found in all of the body’s cells, acts as an alternative fuel source to glucose. It is found in all living cells, but is not considered an essential nutrient, since the body can manufacture it; but it is essential for life. It is used in the formation of ATP, as well as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid, which basically carries the genetic blueprint for organic life) and RNA (ribonucleic acid, which is another nucleic acid, but with different functions). Suggested dose is 5 g twice-daily. (Although it is a sugar, it is safe for type II diabetics.)

Please consult with your doctor before taking any of these supplements. I have found them to be helpful to me, but your doctor can give you appropriate advice about your personal condition.