These days, with the huge emphasis on health, fitness, and particularly weight loss, many “entrepreneurs” try to link damn near anything as an effective product for those hoping to lose some pounds. They will try to sell you pills, potions, wraps, bracelets, and everything else but voodoo dolls made by Marie Laveau, as the next best weight loss product.

Many will try to tout vitamins as one of these weight loss products that will practically guarantee your success at losing weight. The question is whether are not vitamins should be considered viable products for weight control or not. If they are, what part do they play?

Based on years of studying health, fitness, diet and weight loss, I feel that vitamins do have an important role to play in a weight loss program, however, I do not consider vitamins a weight loss product.

There have been many studies which have shown that one vitamin or another had a positive impact on a weight loss program. There have even been studies in which one vitamin seemed to influence a person’s weight. However, I cannot find any study which shows a vitamin to be a very significant and direct factor in weight loss.

In other words, if you want to lose weight, don’t bother popping vitamins.

That having been said, I do recommend that anyone who wants to lose weight include a daily multivitamin in their nutritional regimen. Here’s why.

First of all, most of us don’t get all the nutrients we need anyway. As a result, various bodily functions, including cell maintenance, metabolism, digestion, and many others, do not work at an optimal level. At least, by taking a daily multivitamin, you can bring your nutritional level up to a higher level, and this can result in a slightly increased metabolism, more energy, better health, and an improved sense of well-being.

There is also the psychological high of knowing that you have taken an important step, no matter how small, towards a higher level of health and fitness.

Some vitamins, such as Vitamin C and the B-Complex, Vitamin B-12 in particular, can help kick start your metabolism and help you have more energy. This can translate into more activity, which can result in better health and some weight loss.

For the long run, however, you need to do more than simply pop a daily multivitamin.

A good exercise program will include regular exercise and good nutrition, beyond vitamins and minerals. You will need protein to build tissue, and fats (yes, fats) and carbohydrates for energy.

While I would not recommend placing your faith on the ability of vitamins to “cause” you to lose weight, I would definitely agree that vitamin supplements can also be “weight loss supplements” in the sense that they add synergistically to your other weight loss plans and tactics.