Losing weight can be a difficult, frustrating process, especially when you’re not seeing the results you want, as quickly as you would like to see them. For many individuals, diet and exercise just may not be providing the results they’re looking for, causing many men and women to become discouraged and abandon their weight loss efforts altogether.

For those who are hoping to lose weight and see the positive effects of their efforts sooner, organic supplements can be a good addition to nearly any diet routine. From boosting your metabolism to keeping you motivated, supplements can help jump-start a reluctant dieter’s plans, and keep long-term dieters on track. Knowing which supplements are right for your needs is the key to achieving the best results from your diet. The following list reveals a few of the supplements that are popular for their weight-loss enhancing effects.

• Green tea extract. Full of antioxidants, green tea extract helps increase the metabolism naturally, helping the body to burn more fat and to convert nutrients into energy more efficiently so you get more from your diet and workout. Multiple clinical studies have revealed this supplement helps both men and women lose weight faster over time. Green tea extract is available in capsule and in liquid form, and while drinking green tea also has many benefits, taking green tea extract as a supplement ensures you get the correct levels, at the correct concentration, to get the most this powerful supplement has to offer.

• Fish oil. Offering powerful doses of essential fatty acids, fish oil helps the body more effectively metabolize food by strengthening the processes that burn fat and extract nutrients. In fact, fish oil can help the body burn more fat as fuel. While fish oil alone has been shown to aid in weight reduction, when combined with regular exercise the effects of the supplement are increased substantially. The natural and healthy oils in fish oil supplements may also help to ward off the body’s natural cravings for fatty foods, which can also help men and women avoid certain foods likely to add pounds.

• L-glutamine. This amino acid has been shown to help reduce cravings in many men and women by keeping the brain satisfied. When blood sugar levels drop, most individuals begin to crave food to help keep the brain functioning well. L-glutamine provides instant "food" for the brain, short-circuiting cravings that may cause many men and women to reach for starchy, sugary foods and snacks that can increase weight gain and confound dieting efforts. Some studies have also indicated that L-glutamine may help the body more effectively metabolize foods, and aid in the fat-burning conversion of high-calorie foods.

• Guggul. It may sound like the popular search engine, but actually guggul is a supplement prized for thousands of years by those involved in Ayurvedic medicine. Often prescribed to help relieve joint pain, guggul has been shown in independent studies to reduce cholesterol and aid in weight loss. Researchers say the supplement aids the body in more effectively metabolizing foods, and also helps improve the function of the thyroid gland, which plays a role in appetite and certain food cravings.

• Bee pollen. While not strictly an herb, bee pollen is often used to increase energy levels and reduce fatigue, helping men and women get more from their workouts and other physical activity. Offering several essential fatty acids as well as vitamins and minerals, bee pollen is a popular supplement among athletes who find it helps improve their physical performance both during training and competition. The essential fatty acids and vitamins in bee pollen also help metabolize food more efficiently and can help elevate mood levels, an important benefit during dieting when mood often shifts downward.

• Reishi mushrooms. Used in traditional Chinese therapy to strengthen immunity, reishi mushrooms – sometimes referred to simply as "reishi" – can also aid in building strength and combating fatigue, two factors that can contribute to increased weight loss, especially when these tiny mushrooms are taken as part of a weight loss exercise and workout routine.

• Gymnema sylvestre. This plant, which is native to India and Africa, works to suppress the body’s ability to taste sweet flavors, helping reduce cravings and satisfy the so-called sweet tooth. Studies show that in men and women who take this supplement actually crave – and therefore, consume – fewer sugary and other sweet foods that are often high in calories, thereby helping reduce weight gain and maintain healthy weight levels.

Everyone knows the body works best when it is at a healthy weight. By incorporating herbal supplements into a regular, healthy diet and exercise routine, many individuals looking to lose weight can see better results faster.