Natural Obesity Remedies
Natural Fat Fighters
By Vicki Salemi
Eat less, move more. Sounds simple enough, right? If it was, more than 25.6 percent of American adults wouldn't be obese as of 2007, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. While a low-calorie diet is the right idea for weight loss, it's important to eat foods that contain the right vitamins and minerals to aid in this endeavor. Here are several natural obesity remedies, which may help people lose weight in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regimen.
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Natural Obesity Remedies
Turmeric (Found in Curry)
The major fat-fighting component of turmeric, the signature flavor of curry, is curcumin -- a phytochemical, or a nutrient that may prevent diseases like obesity. In a Tufts University Study published in the May 2009 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition" two groups of mice were fed high-fat diets, while one group had the added benefit of eating curcumin. The result? The curcumin-fed group didn't gain as much weight. The authors of the experiment note that additional trials are needed to determine whether the same effect would happen in humans.
7-Keto
This by-product of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) has demonstrated its effect on weight loss. For instance, in a 1999 study participants were told to exercise three times each week for 45 minutes and to restrict their caloric intake to 1,800 calories per day. The result? Participants who received 100 mg of 7-Keto two times each day lost six pounds after 8 weeks, while the control group lost only 2 pounds. Lisa Nelson, RD, LN of eNutritionServices.com explains, "It's believed the weight loss is related to an increase in a thyroid hormone (T3), which affects metabolic rate."
5-HTP
Since 5-HTP is a precursor for serotonin, and elevated serotonin levels are known to suppress the appetite, it's been thought to aid in weight loss. For instance, in a double-blind trial without dietary restrictions, obese people with type 2 diabetes who took 750 mg of 5-HTP per day for two weeks significantly decreased their carbohydrate and fat intake. The result? Average weight loss was 4.6 pounds. The placebo group lost an average of .2 pounds.
HCA
Also known as hydroxycitric acid, this supplement reduces the conversion of carbs into stored fat by inhibiting specific enzyme processes, as demonstrated in laboratories. "It can also depress the appetite and induce weight loss," says Annamaria Poluha, nutritionist and founder of Breathe Bloom Blossom, a nutrition, exercise, and wellness program.
Glucomannan
Known as a water-soluble polysaccharide that is considered a dietary fiber, this supplement keeps blood sugar levels normal and keeps you satisfied longer. For example, in one controlled trial 2 to 3 grams/day were effective in a group of obese teens. In another trial, overweight adults lost weight with 3 to 4 grams/day with or without a low calorie diet. "This soluble fiber absorbs up to 200 times its weight in water," adds Poluha.
Amylase inhibitors
These starch blockers know a thing or two about preventing dietary starches from being absorbed by the body. By definition, starches are complex carbohydrates and can't be absorbed unless they're broken down by the digestive enzyme amylase along with other enzymes. In essence, highly concentrated amylase inhibitors have been shown to prevent the absorption of significant amount of carbs.
Pyruvate
"Pyruvate plays a biochemical role in the body, specifically within the Kreb's cycle (glucose metabolism) and gluconeogenesis," says Nelson. "Anywhere from 6 to 30 grams/day may be effective, according to limited studies." For instance, one studied showed that pyruvate supplements of 22 to 44 grams/day enhanced weight loss and reduced body fat in overweight adults consuming a low fat diet.
HMB
HMB is, in essence, a metabolite for leucine and essential fatty acid. "If someone is deficient of leucine (rare), then they may benefit from the supplement," explains dietician Lisa Nelson. While she indicates 3 g/day is needed in combination with resistance training, in accordance to one study, it's not as effective as other vitamins. Double-blind research shows that this supplement may only be effective when combined with an exercise program for people who are not highly trained athletes. One study showed that 70 year-old adults participating in a strength-training program for the first time who took 3 grams of HMB per day increased the amount of body fat lost.
L-carnitine
This amino acid packs a one-two punch when it comes to fat metabolism. The 4-1-1: in normal cells carnitine is required to transport fatty acids during the breakdown of lipids (fats) to generate energy. Most recently, the supplement, L-carnitine has been marketed as a weight loss product. For example, in a preliminary study of overweight teens in a diet and exercise program, participants who ingested 1,000 mg of L-carnitine each day for three months lost significantly more weight than the placebo group.
Fiber
"Fiber is the best supplement," notes Poluha. In fact, several studies have demonstrated when fiber supplements are combined with a low-calorie diet, weight loss has been accelerated. "The recommendation is 25 to 30 grams/day. It slows down the emptying of food in the stomach and makes us feel full longer." The recommendation is to start out slow by adding 5 to 10 grams/day. "Most people don't get more than 10 to 15 grams/day in their normal daily diet."
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Meghanh1979 08:45:22 PM May 24 2009
I came across free trial programs for the Acai Berry Diet and Colon Cleanse. It was very easy to order and free to try! And, I have to say it has worked great for me, I lost nearly all the weight I gained after having children and I have tons of energy. I wrote a blog about my weight loss story along with links to the free trials I used. You can check it out here: http://loseweightwithacaiberrydiet.blogspot.com/ Best of luck to everyone!
BAJTASH69 01:50:22 PM May 21 2009
I read 5-htp should only be taken in 100 mg per day too much 5-htp can be harmfully converted to seretonin in the peripheral circulation which can cause cardiovascular desease and other adverse effects. I have been a personal trainer for the last 15 years....work with all body types....obese to college athletes....if you truly want to loose weight you must commit 100% never give yourself permission to cheat or give up on your diet and exercise plan....eat 5 handfulls (or 1/2 cup fruit and vegetables per day) eat them first before your meal..then eat lean protein and whole grains....try to keep your calories to 1500-2000 per day if you have more than 50 lbs to loose you can start at 2500 calories per day and when you stop loosing weight.. cut 100 calories out per day until you are at the 2000 mark....ect. you should loose 3lbs. a week.. yes this might seem slow but you will look better..feel better..and be able to stick to this plan....also start by walking 10 min a day for the first
Davition7 12:18:23 PM May 21 2009
eat more curry so you can smell like a 711. No wonder they try to cover up the smell of those stores with incense.
Walkfit2 11:19:44 AM May 21 2009
Doesn't anybody get it? If all these crazy diet pills, concoctions, herbs, diet foods, etc. worked, we'd be the thinnest people on the planet. People in general do not move their bodies. They don't use them. They can find time to watch two hours of television, or get sucked into the web for hours at a time, but don't have time to exercise. Plus, what is thin? The media have made it impossible to determine what's healthy. There are these outrageous claims and constant scrutiny...Oprah is sick because she lost weight, she is sick because she gained weight,, she is sick because she has remained the same...It's totally insane. The obsession with weight has created monsters of great proportions. There's a diet of the day. A miracle cure of the day. Tomorrow it will be something else. If any of these diets really worked in the long run, there wouldn't be a need for a new diet every day. Instead of sitting at computers looking for the answers to weight loss, take to the streets on your feet
Bocabizworld 02:20:33 PM Oct 18 2008
I've had a weight problem all of my life. I had to have my clothes made because I was too obese for regular clothes. Then I discovered Lipo6 http://tinyurl.com/lipo6fatloss and it changed my life completely. I have lost 125 pounds, I can buy my clothes just like everyone else and my social life is the best now
Kkineshanko 04:36:13 PM Oct 05 2008
Please check out PGX - tested and studied for over 10 years by the University of Toronto. Works for everyone I know who is using it.
ZIXMAN 06:41:42 PM Sep 21 2008
History repeats itself. Just as Nixon and the Republican party stone walled the Watergate investigation till after the elections. Now Mccain and Palin are stone walling the Troopergate investigation. Trying to delay the bad news that will come from the investigation. If Mccain and Palin gets elected. Palin would be the first woman VP and the first Vice President to get impeached. What are they trying to hide??? If they have nothing to hide, why hide? Lets not repeat the Nixon/Agnew embarrassment. Something smells fishy in Alaska!
Jjpalazzini 03:10:30 PM Aug 20 2008
Its the same hype over and over and over again. This sort of deceptive journalism caters to the desperation of obese people and accomplishes nothing more than to get them to spend more money on snake oil. The fact is very simple. Any diet that promises you weight loss simply by taking a pill, or vitamins and supplements or whatever, violates the second law of thermodynamics, and is a scientific impossibility. When more goes in than comes out, you get fat. Its a 4 million year old evolutionary, genetic "program" that human beings will never overcome by taking a pill.
DISCUSDOC 01:28:10 PM Aug 18 2008
The effectiveness of these supplements is highly questionable. This story is misleading and gives people the false idea that all they have to do to lose weight is to take a few supplements. They will waste a lot of money and lose little or no weight.People in the National Weight Registryâ a data base of people who lost an average of 50 pounds and kept it off for an average of 2-5 yearsâ were successful because they exercised an average of 1 hour a day, ate more vegetables,fruits, and whole grains, and cut down on calorie intake.Our genes are programmed to conserve energy. That's why it's so difficult to lose weight.
