Vitamins for Weight Control

There are 13 vitamins that are essential for life. They all act together to help your body function properly, but there are some that play a more direct role in weight loss. Understanding what these vitamins do and ensuring that you are not deficient in them can help you in your goal to shed some extra weight. The best sources for vitamins are fresh, healthy foods, but if you are taking vitamins in pill form remember that some are toxic in high doses, so never supplement more than the recommended daily amount without first consulting your doctor.

B Vitamins

• B vitamins, also known as the "stress" vitamins, assist your body in maintaining a healthy weight. Vitamins B3 and B6 help cells burn fuel by supplying them with energy. B6 combined with zinc aids in the digestion of food by enabling the production of pancreatic enzymes. B2, B3 and B6 help your thyroid maintain normal function, which will affect your metabolism.

Vitamin C

• Vitamin C helps your body oxidize fat during exercise. According to a 2005 study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," those who have enough vitamin C oxidize 30 percent more fat during exercise. If you are deficient in this vitamin, your body will likely be more resistant to losing excess fat.

Vitamin D

• Vitamin D is thought to assist in the break down of stored fat. It is essential for the absorption of calcium, which is also involved in fat burning. It is believed that the amount of calcium in fat cells determines how much fat the cells will burn: increased calcium levels results in increased fat burning. Those on higher calcium diets are more likely to burn fat than store it. Without Vitamin D, your body cannot use calcium.

Vitamin H

• Vitamin H, also known as Biotin, is another vitamin that helps with the break down of fat. It also assists in the processing of glucose, enabling your body to produce energy more efficiently. It is an important contributor to the metabolizing of protein, carbohydrates and fat.