| In a billion dollar industry such as weight loss, all | | | | and fat composition. No statistical evidence is |
| methods are tried and touted. One of the most | | | | forthcoming on this. Also the long term safety of |
| popular is by using Natural Remedies. Evidence | | | | chromium is uncertain. Although some data may |
| seems to suggest that some are effective, some | | | | show that ginseng improves tolerance to glucose, |
| are not effective and some are downright | | | | in scientific testing with placebos, no clear |
| dangerous! | | | | evidence of weight loss was demonstrated |
| Let's have a look at some: | | | | between the group given ginseng and the placebo |
| Using Ephedra Sinica or Ma Huang combined with | | | | group. |
| natural Caffeine products is a common method of | | | | Psyllium, Guar Gum and Chitosan. These so called |
| trying to lose weight by natural means. They are | | | | natural weight loss remedies contain soluble fibre, |
| advertised as working by increasing the calorie | | | | which supposedly absorbs water in the stomach, |
| consumption. However they do this by increasing | | | | producing a feeling of being full. Although this could |
| the heart rate which can feel unpleasant and | | | | make some sense theoretically, very little |
| much much worse can lead to cardiac arrest! Not | | | | evidence exists for food and calories being |
| to be recommended for losing weight. | | | | decreased. In relation to psyllium there is also the |
| Ephedra sinica is a shrub found in desert areas all | | | | danger for some people of a severe allergic |
| over the world. It is found in China and Mongolia. | | | | reaction. |
| The species of ephedra found in Northern | | | | Natural Diuretics and Laxatives. The commonly |
| America, known as Desert or Mormon Tea, | | | | known weed or flower, Dandelion, is really a herb |
| doesn't have the medicinal effects of the Asian | | | | and does seem to have diuretic (diuretics are |
| species. | | | | products which act in the body to increase water |
| Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica) has been used for | | | | elimination.) Whether this results in long term |
| years as a relief for respiratory problems, it | | | | weight loss is unclear and suspect. Again, Cascara |
| opens and relaxes the bronchial tubes and | | | | is a common herb which works as a laxative but |
| reduces mucus. In these cases it is used for short | | | | long term weight loss is unlikely. No detailed |
| periods of time. The Chinese have used Ma Huang | | | | statistical evidence seems to exist for wither of |
| without problems for 4,000 years but due to the | | | | these herbs working to lose weight. Neither of |
| misuse of the herb for weight loss or increasing | | | | these herbs has been studied specifically for |
| sports abilities the FDA are considering banning the | | | | weight loss in humans. As before the safety |
| herb completely! | | | | factors of using these supplements could in |
| Mineral and herbal supplements are also common, | | | | theory cause ill effects similar to the use of over |
| two of these are ginseng and chromium. | | | | the counter and prescription diuretics and |
| Supposedly chromium can normalize the way | | | | laxatives, such as dehydration and electrolyte |
| carbohydrates are used in the body and make | | | | problems. |
| changes to the metabolic uptake. This, again | | | | In this article I have only skimmed the surface in |
| supposedly leads to changes in the body's muscle | | | | looking at natural remedies for weight loss. |