The 15 Most Popular Natural Weight Loss Products of 2010
Click Here for the Best Natural Weight Loss Tips
There are a lot of over-the-counter natural weight loss products for weight loss and most of them are appetite suppressants. These natural weight loss products work by tricking or deceiving the body into believing that one is full.
They seem to be effective, but the continued use of these products for a long period of time can result to addiction and may create complications in one’s health. What is more, the weight loss process only takes place while you are taking these products, except if you maintain a balanced and healthy diet along the way and engage in regular exercise.
Here are some commonly used weight loss medicines and appetite suppressants that are available over-the-counter. But before you take any of these weight loss products, do not forget to consult your doctor about it first because some of these products may cause adverse health conditions and may just be a waste of money.
Click Here for the BEST Natural Weight Loss Tips
Ephedra (ma huang) and its active component called ephedrine are mostly found in weight loss herbal dietary supplements. Ephedrine is used as an ingredient in medicines for asthma and it is also used as an element in making methamphetamine or speed. Actually, the chemical components of methamphetamine and ephedrine are almost the same. Ephedrine appears to curb one’s appetite; however, there have been no studies yet on the extent of its efficiency in weight loss. On the other side of the coin, ephedrine can also be harmful to one’s health as its intake may result to some undesirable health conditions such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attacks, strokes and, worse, death. In addition to that, ephedrine can also have contraindications with some other medicines including those that are available over-the-counter. Considering all these, the FDA officially proscribed the trade of ephedrine in any of the dietary supplements in the U.S. in the year 2004 because of the harmful effects it may cause to ephedrine users.
St. John’s wort. Studies have been conducted to appraise the efficiency of this herbal product in aiding weight loss but this is mainly used as an anti-depressant. The two chief ingredients in the herbal product ‘phen-fen’ are St. John’s wort and ephedra. As a precaution, you must not take St. John’s wort together with tyramine-containing foods like aged cheese, cured or aged meats, wines, and the like. Another thing is that you must consult your doctor before you take any other medicines because this herbal product has a lot of possible contraindications when taken together with antidepressants, birth control pills, blood thinners, heart medications, and dextromethorphan (active in a range of cold medicines). St. John’s wort poses possible hazard to its user when used as a weight loss medicine and there has been no clinical studies to prove its efficiency for weight loss.
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). This is an extract from a West African plant seed which has been used as a weight loss product and this is available over-the-counter. These natural weight loss products took the place of tryptophan supplements when the FDA prohibited its sale because of its associated link to some possible noxious blood disorder. It has not been verified that 5-HTP can actually aid weight loss and studies have been constantly made for safety. 5-HTP may cause an adverse effect on the liver when taken in large amounts.
Chitosan (KITE-o-san). This is a food supplement which is made from chitin, a starch commonly found in the skeleton of shrimp, crab, and some other varieties of shellfish. Chitosan goes to your intestinal tract without being absorbed because it cannot be digested thereby adding no extra calorie to your body. By its chemical nature, Chitosan unites with fatty foods and in this manner the fats are removed from your body when it passes through your intestinal tract thus preventing the fats to be absorbed by the body. However, a lot of studies found no more weight loss from Chitosan than from a placebo (sugar pill).
Chromium is believed to improve the effect of insulin as well as the breakdown of carbohydrates. It has been known to aid weight loss and burn fat. Nevertheless, a lot of information is not credible to prove its effect on weight loss and studies fall short in establishing that the intake of this mineral is beneficial in promoting weight loss.
Pyruvate. During the digestion process of carbohydrates and protein from food the body produces pyruvate which comes in the form of pyruvic acid. The pyruvate appears to help in losing weight as shown in some studies. Some foods that are rich in pyruvic acid include red apples, cheese, and red wine. Pyruvate seems to be safe but some claims regarding its efficiency call for further study such as claims that it enhances metabolism, decreases appetite, and helps in weight loss.
Aloe. This is frequently used as a contemporary medicinal product for healing wounds. On the other hand, oral aloe is considered as one of the natural weight loss products because of its strong cathartic effects which produce smooth bowel movements and is deemed as an internal cleanser but the use of aloe has not been proven to maintain body weight. Nonetheless, aloe or any aloe-containing products must not be taken orally in case you have intestinal complications like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or abdominal pain of whatever reason. The known side effects in taking aloe orally include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and imbalance in the mineral content of the body. Furthermore, aloe may counteract with other medicines like Lanoxin (digoxin), a medicine used for treating heart problems.
Cascara. This is a strong stimulant laxative which is a common component in weight loss products. It has been approved by the FDA as one of the herbs that can be bought as an over-the-counter drug. Improper use of this herb can result to complications with the minerals present in the body such as but not limited to potassium and sodium. This herb must not be taken by pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding. Moreover, this herb may counteract with other medicines like Lanoxin and diuretics such as water pills which is used to treat high blood pressure and various health problems.
Dandelion. This is a natural diuretic. It promotes weight loss by reducing water content in the body. Caution must be taken when using this natural weight loss product because it can result to some allergic reactions and heartburn.
Glucomannan. This is made from the root of Amorphophallus Konjac. It promotes weight loss by prolonging the absorption of glucose from the intestinal tract. Some studies show that it is effective in reducing body mass by giving a feeling of fullness which is attributed from the swelling of the glucomannan by the time it comes into contact with fluid. However, reports have been made wherein a number of people complained of esophageal obstruction. Because of the widespread gastrointestinal obstruction incidents associated with the use of glucomannan and glucomannan-containing products, it has been banned in several countries. People with previous record of gastrointestinal obstruction must not use the glucomannan and people with diabetes must use caution.
Guarana. This is made from the seeds of a plant which is native to Brazil. It is known to accelerate the brain’s activity and aid weight loss because it is a stimulant and, at the same time, a diuretic. It may lead to high blood pressure for the reason that it contains 3-5 percent caffeine. A number of advertisements say that guarana has no side effects but this is not true. Some of the extracts may cause prolonged blood loss and even counteract with blood thinning medicines like Coumadin. And some offshoots of its use include nausea, dizziness, and anxiousness.
Garcinia (hydroxycitric acid). This is a natural weight loss product that is native to India and Southeast Asia and it is used as an active ingredient in no less than 14 weight loss supplements. So far, the available information regarding this plant shows that this product does not work effectively in weight loss.
Yerba Mate. This is also known as Paraguay tea. It is a very good brain stimulant when used in the usual amount as that of 100-200 mg of caffeine. It has not been confirmed that it really aids in weight loss. Nevertheless, case reports show that the side effects of this product include excessive stimulation, high blood pressure and even poisoning. Too much use of this product will possibly result to cancer of the esophagus.
Guar Gum. This is a dietary fiber produced from the Indian cluster bean which is also known as guar, guar flour, and jaguar gum, guar gum. Guar gum has been widely-known as a thickening agent for foods and drugs. It has been renowned to reduce appetite by giving a feeling of fullness; however, it may lead to the obstruction of the esophagus just like glucomannan. Because it retains water from the body which causes it to swell to 10-20 folds, gastrointestinal obstructions may result. A lot of studies have shown that it is not effective in weight loss.
Herbal Diuretics. There is a wide range of herbal diuretics as well as herbal weight loss products that are available over-the-counter and most of these are made from caffeine. Nearly all of the available herbal diuretics are not toxic but some are known to have contraindications with various kinds of medications like lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith), Lanoxin, and other usual diuretics such as Lasix or Esidrex. Herbal diuretics are not regarded as effective in weight loss because they do not reduce the water content of the body to a large extent. More significantly, the essence of long-term weight loss is not loss of water but loss of fat in the body.
