On this page
Telehealth care is available in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, and New York. You must be in your selected state during the visit.
You are eating better and staying active, but the scale is not moving.
Vitamins are essential for health, but vitamin supplements are not a proven way to lose weight. Supplements can help address nutritional gaps when needed; they do not replace a varied, nutritious eating pattern.
Vitamins and minerals support normal body functions. If you have symptoms or dietary concerns, a clinician can assess whether you need testing or a supplement. A weight-management plan should consider your overall health, nutrition, activity, sleep, stress, and medications.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and supports bone, muscle, nerve, and immune function. Some people do not get enough, but symptoms alone cannot confirm a deficiency.
A vitamin D deficiency may need treatment, but taking vitamin D supplements has not been shown to help people lose weight.
Symptoms to discuss with your provider
- You feel tired even after a solid night of sleep
- Your mood tends to dip, especially during fall and winter
- You have muscle soreness that does not have a clear cause
- Concerns about changes in your energy, strength, or overall health
When testing is appropriate, a blood test can assess vitamin D status. Your provider can advise whether supplementation is needed and discuss a suitable dose.
B Vitamins: Your Body’s Energy Processing System
B vitamins have several roles in normal body function. Getting enough matters for health, but taking extra does not establish a weight-loss benefit.
Vitamin B12 supports healthy blood and nerve cells and helps the body make DNA. Extra B12 does not improve energy or endurance in people who already get enough. Discuss your overall weight-management plan with your provider.
B vitamins have different roles in normal nutrition:
- B12: Supports blood and nerve cell health and DNA production
- B6: Participates in many normal metabolic processes
- B3 (niacin): Helps the body use energy from food
- B5: Helps the body process nutrients from food
Individuals with a high proportion of plant-based diets, who use metformin to regulate their blood sugar levels, or people who are older than 50, are especially susceptible to B12 deficiency. It is a good idea to see whether or not one of them applies to you.
Vitamin C: Nutrition and Tissue Health
Vitamin C helps the body make collagen, supports wound healing, and improves absorption of iron from plant foods. These roles do not mean that taking extra vitamin C will cause weight loss.
If you are concerned about your vitamin C intake, review your eating pattern with a clinician or dietitian. Fruits and vegetables are useful sources. You can also read research on vitamin C and exercise.
High-Vitamin C foods:
- Red and yellow bell pepper (even higher than oranges)
- Kiwis, strawberries, and guava
- Brussels sprouts and broccoli
- Oranges and grapefruits
A varied diet helps you meet nutritional needs. Taking extra vitamin C has not been established as a reliable way to speed exercise recovery or lose weight.
Magnesium and Normal Body Function
Magnesium is a mineral involved in many body processes, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, blood pressure regulation, and the production of protein, bone, and DNA.
Magnesium supports normal body function. Keep these points in mind when considering supplements:
- Magnesium has a role in normal blood sugar regulation
- Evidence is insufficient to establish magnesium supplements as a treatment for sleep problems
- Taking magnesium is not an established treatment for reducing abdominal fat
- High supplemental doses can cause adverse effects and may interact with medicines
Food sources include pumpkin seeds, almonds, spinach, and dark chocolate.
When Supplements May Be Appropriate
Vitamins and minerals support health. Treating a confirmed deficiency is different from using a supplement to lose weight, and it does not guarantee weight loss.
A sustainable weight-management plan considers nutrition, activity, sleep, medications, and medical conditions. Supplements may have a role when there is a specific nutritional need.
Avoid guessing which supplements or doses you need. Some can interact with medicines or be harmful in excess. Your clinician can advise whether testing or supplementation is appropriate.
Get a Weight Loss Plan Built Around Your Body
At Wade’s Care First, Charles Wade, FNP-BC, provides individualized, culturally responsive care. Learn more about our approach to culturally sensitive care.
He looks at your labs, your history, your lifestyle, and what has actually been getting in the way. Then he builds a plan that makes sense for you specifically.
Whether you need help figuring out what your body is missing, want to explore medical weight loss options, or just want to talk through what has not been working, Charles Wade, FNP-BC, can help you review your concerns.
Telehealth appointments are available across the practice’s eight active states. Choose the state where you will be during your visit to get started.
Book your appointment at wadescarefirst.com. Your body has been trying to tell you something. Let’s figure out what it is.
Further reading: NIH: Weight-loss supplements · NIH: Vitamin D · NIH: Vitamin B12 · NIH: Vitamin C · NIH: Magnesium · NIH: Magnesium and sleep.
Answers connected to this topic.
Will I need blood work before starting treatment?
Laboratory testing may be recommended to assess blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney and liver function, thyroid function, or other health concerns. Testing is individualized based on your medical history and clinical findings. When needed, orders can be sent to a laboratory near you.
Do I have to take medication to lose weight?
No. Medication is only one possible part of medical weight management. Some patients benefit from nutrition changes, increased physical activity, behavioral strategies, better sleep, and management of medical conditions that contribute to weight gain. Your treatment plan is individualized.
What happens during my first appointment?
Your first visit includes a review of your weight history, previous weight-loss attempts, medical conditions, current medications, nutrition habits, and personal goals. Charles Wade, FNP-BC, will discuss appropriate treatment options and determine whether laboratory testing or medication may be beneficial.
