The best supplements to support women’s weight loss (backed by functional medicine)

If you’ve ever searched for “the best weight loss supplement,” you already know the internet is full of quick fixes, fat burners, and too-good-to-be-true promises. But here’s the truth: no supplement can replace sleep, balanced hormones, blood sugar stability, and sustainable nutrition. That said, when used wisely—and with the right testing and support—supplements can be powerful tools to support your metabolism, reduce inflammation, and help your body function at its best.

In this guide, we’re breaking down the most effective supplements to support women’s weight loss through the lens of functional medicine. Plus, we’ll explain why personalized care always beats guesswork—especially if you’re navigating perimenopause, thyroid issues, or insulin resistance.

Ready to stop wasting money on supplements that don’t serve you? Let’s dig into what your body actually needs.

In case we haven’t met yet—we’re Dr. Erin Hendriks and Dr. Maricela Castillo MacKenzie, founders of Elle MD, a functional medicine and weight loss clinic based in Royal Oak, Michigan.

We specialize in helping women—especially those navigating perimenopause and menopause—reclaim their energy, balance their hormones, and feel confident in their bodies again. With a root-cause approach and deeply personalized care, we look beyond symptoms to create sustainable solutions that truly support your body, your life, and your goals.

What makes functional medicine’s approach to supplements different?

We don’t believe in throwing the entire vitamin aisle into your cart. We believe in using data, lab work, and symptom history to support what your unique body actually needs.

If your metabolism is sluggish because of adrenal burnout, we address that. If your cravings are driven by gut dysbiosis or cortisol, we target that. If your energy is crashing mid-afternoon, we ask why.

Functional medicine helps uncover the "why" so that supplements become support—not a substitute for real care.

What is the fastest way for a female to lose weight?

The real answer? Safely, sustainably, and with support.

Fast doesn’t always mean healthy. And weight lost in a hurry often comes back (with interest). The fastest sustainable path involves:

• Balancing hormones
• Reducing inflammation
• Supporting metabolism with protein, sleep, movement, and stress care
• Supplementing when needed, not randomly

Your weight loss journey should feel like coming home to your body—not battling it.

What burns fat the fastest for women?

No supplement replaces the basics: sleep, stress management, muscle-building movement, and metabolic healing.

But some supplements—like green tea extract, omega-3s, berberine, and fiber—can support fat loss by improving insulin response, lowering inflammation, and regulating appetite.

The magic isn’t in the pill. It’s in giving your body what it actually needs to feel safe and supported again.

Which vitamins are best to support the weight loss journey? (And why they matter more now than ever)

By the time you reach your 40s, something shifts.

Maybe it’s subtle at first—your energy feels a little off, your sleep isn’t as restorative, and the weight you used to lose in a week now lingers for months. Suddenly, your body feels foreign. You’re eating better, moving more, and yet... nothing is working like it used to.

Here’s the truth most diets don’t tell you: your nutritional needs change as your hormones shift.

You’re not broken. You’re just in a new season—and your body is asking for different support.

That’s where key vitamins and nutrients come in. Not as weight loss magic, but as partners in helping your metabolism, hormones, and nervous system work with you—not against you.

Let’s talk about what matters most:

Vitamin D3 + K2
As estrogen begins to decline, your body becomes more prone to fat storage, bone loss, and mood fluctuations. Vitamin D3 (especially paired with K2) supports fat metabolism, immune health, and calcium regulation—all crucial in perimenopause and menopause. Without it, you may feel sluggish, foggy, or more prone to stubborn belly fat.

Magnesium
Think of this as your hormonal calm-down mineral. It helps regulate insulin, reduce cortisol (your stress hormone), and improve sleep—three things that directly impact your weight. Women low in magnesium often feel wired-but-tired, crave chocolate, and struggle with stress eating. Sound familiar?

B-vitamins (especially B6, B12, Folate)
These are your energy vitamins. They help convert food into fuel, support thyroid function, and even impact mood. As stress increases or your digestion slows with age, you might not absorb them as well—leading to fatigue, cravings, and emotional eating patterns that feel hard to break.



Omega-3s (EPA & DHA)
These anti-inflammatory fats support hormone production, reduce insulin resistance, and can even help regulate hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin. They’re also powerful for brain health and mood stability—especially important when you feel like you’re riding a rollercoaster you didn’t sign up for.

Here’s the thing: you can be doing “everything right” and still not see results—if your body is missing what it needs to function at its best.

Supplements aren’t magic. But they can be meaningful.

You’ve done the diets. You’ve cried in dressing rooms. You’ve whispered to yourself, Why can’t I figure this out?

It’s not because you lack discipline. It’s because no one ever helped you understand what your body is actually asking for.

At Elle MD, we create weight loss plans that are deeply personalized, hormone-informed, and rooted in science. Supplements are part of the picture—not the whole story.

We’ll help you sort through the noise. Find what really works. And support your body like it deserves to be supported.

Book your consultation today or explore our Weight Loss Program.

Let’s make your healing honest, not extreme. And your results? Sustainable.

You don’t need another quick fix. You need a path forward—with us walking beside you.