Weight Loss Herbs
Green tea
Natural Weight Loss Supplements
A 2005 article in the journal Obesity Research noted that consumption of green tea was associated with increased weight loss, body fat reduction and increased resting energy expenditure. Also, the Journal of Nutrition published a 2009 article stating that exercise and green tea caused subjects to experience an additional loss of fat around the abdominal area compared to subjects who engaged in exercise without green tea.
Green tea may have reactions with certain medications. People who have heart disorders, stomach ulcers, kidney disorders or certain psychological disorders, like anxiety, should not take green tea. Pregnant and nursing women should also avoid consuming large amounts of green tea. People who are taking blood thinners and MAO inhibitors should avoid green tea.
Hoodia
One of today’s most popular dietary supplements is hoodia. Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant from the Kalahari desert in southern Africa that is often picked and chewed by people in the African bush. Advocates say that hoodia assists with weight loss by tricking the brain into thinking that the stomach is full.
In the September 2004 issue of the journal Brain Research, Dr. David MacLean of Brown University reported that P57, a compound found in hoodia, was likely to affect the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that helps to regulate appetite. However, very few studies have been done to determine the effectiveness of hoodia. At the same time, no adverse effects have been reported, although many have reported that the herb has an extremely bitter taste.
CBS News and the BBC tested many leading hoodia supplements and found that the supplements either contained no actual hoodia or contained only a fraction of the amount advertised on the label. Phytopharm, which is the only company authorized to produce hoodia as a weight loss aid, does not yet market and distribute the product. Therefore, consumers should take extra precautions before consuming a supplement marketed as hoodia gordonii.
Acacia Rigidula
Also called blackbrush acacia, Acacia rigidula grows in the Rio Grande valley where it has become part of Native American pharmacopeia. Proponents claim that blackbrush contains adrenergic amines that have a stimulant effect on the body similar to ephedrine and amphetamines. Like ephedrine, blackbrush stimulates thermogenesis in the body, speeding up the heart rate to produce a faster metabolism. Blackbrush also suppresses the appetite, inducing the body to use fats for energy. However, there is no medical evidence to back up these claims because no clinical study has been done on this specific plant.
No known side effects exist for Acacia rigidula. However, people should be careful when combining Acacia rigidula with other stimulants. Also, some manufacturers add amphetamines to Acacia rigidula products to enhance the weight loss experience. Before purchasing blackbrush, patients should investigate all ingredients.
Bitter Orange
Bitter orange extract comes from unripe oranges and has been used by the Chinese for centuries to treat heartburn, diarrhea and constipation. When applied to the skin, the extract is used to treat fungal infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot. After the Food and Drug Administration banned ephedra in 2004, people began to look to bitter orange as a viable ephedra substitute for weight loss. Evidence is mixed at best.
A 2002 study in the Journal of Medicine named bitter orange as the best substitute for ephedra in weight loss preparations. Bitter orange is also recognized as safe by German Commission E for appetite suppression. However, some sources, like Mayo Clinic dietician Katherine Zeratsky, question the safety of this supplement. Zeratsky states that while some evidence does show that bitter orange extract assists with weight loss, the side effects may outweigh the potential benefits.
The National Institutes for Health warns that bitter orange is a stimulant that may speed up heart rate and raise blood pressure. Bitter orange should not be combined with caffeine, MAO inhibitors or other stimulants because of risk of heart attack, stroke or fainting. Because there is little safety evidence for bitter orange, the NIH recommends that pregnant or nursing women avoid using the extract.
Seaweed
Brown seaweed, which is used to flavor many Asian soups and salads, may reduce fat accumulation and speed weight loss, according to a Japanese study presented to the 232rd meeting of the American Chemical Society. The plant, which the Japanese call wakame, was found to reduce fat accumulation in rats and mice by as much as 10 percent. The plant produced a protein called UCP1 that converts energy to heat and stimulates fat oxidation. Wakame, according to the study, had the added benefit of causing the liver to produce DHA, which reduces levels of LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol.
Seaweed is available in some supplements, and researchers are considering adding seaweed to breads to increase their fiber content. By increasing fiber, researchers think that they will reduce the absorption of fat by the body. The main ingredient of brown seaweed, fucoxanthin, is also available in a patch. Brown seaweed may also be consumed uncooked or cooked as an ingredient in a stir-fry or a soup. This widely eaten food source has no known side effects.
No herbal supplement, no matter how effective, will replace healthy diet and exercise as the most important avenues to weight loss. Most experts recommend a diet high in lean protein, whole grains, lowfat dairy and fruits and vegetables. Experts also recommend getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. When supplements are added to a healthy diet and exercise program, they may enhance weight loss results. However, people should always discuss herbal supplements with their doctor or pharmacist before starting a regimen.
Resources
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/green-tea-000255.htm
http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/hoodia-lots-of-hoopla-little-science
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=57305
http://www.livestrong.com/article/337525-weight-loss-with-acacia-rigidula/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bitter-orange/AN01218
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/bitterorange/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060915204728.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100321203508.htm