With obesity at epidemic levels in the United States, more and more people are turning to weight loss pills in hopes of losing those extra pounds. With the New Year approaching, you can bet that these weight loss pills will be flying off of shelves. But do they actually work?
Weight loss pills do work, but not to the degree most people think. Back in the early 1990's when ephedra was first introduced, it was touted as a miracle weight loss supplement and to some, including myself it was. When you combined ephedra with caffeine and aspirin, this "stack" burned fat like butter on a hot stove.
Unfortunately along with its fat burning power, there was a long list of side effects as well. Many could not handle the powerful stimulant affects of this compound and it was blamed for many deaths. Whether or not this was true, the writing was on the wall and ephedra was banned in the United States and is no longer available.
Are there any other products that work?
Since ephedra was taken off the market, there really hasn't been anything that rivals its weight loss power (save for possibly one).
The most popular weight loss pills today are those containing Green tea and Hoodia. Green tea works through a process called thermogenesis (fat burning), while Hoodia is claimed to be an appetite suppressant. Both are said to be effective at shedding the fat, but nothing like ephedra.
There is however a natural compound that shows great promise in preventing fructose from converting to fat.
What's all the fuss about fructose?
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition believes that fructose may well be the cause of obesity in America today. Here's what they had to say:
"evidence that a marked increase in the use of HFCS, and therefore in total fructose consumption, preceded the obesity epidemic and may be an important contributor to this epidemic in the United States."
Over the last thirty years, there has been a 40% drop in the use of cane sugar and a 300% increase in the use of high fructose corn syrups! If you look at the label of most products on supermarket shelves today, you will likely find high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient.
What is this promising natural compound?
This all natural compound is derived from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Heartwood of Acacia. There more common names are Chineses skullcap and "Black catechu".
What does this compound do?
This natural compound works by substantially decreasing two key obesity markers TNFa and IL-6 circulating in the blood stream. These two cytokines are expressed in high levels in the chronically obese. These compounds have been shown to significantly decrease both of these obesity markers by inhibiting fat conversion from fructose pathways and down-regulating PPAR gene expression (fat accumulation) and up-regulating PPARa (fat breakdown) protein. To a lesser extent there is also a moderate down-regulation of lipoprotein lipase (which breaks down fat) on the gene level.
A double blind clinical study was conducted by scientists at JSS Medical Research, Inc., in Montreal, Canada. Participants were between the ages of 40 and 75. This age group normally has the most difficult time losing weight. None of the subjects were given any physical activity or dietary advice.
On average each participant lost an astounding 7% of their bodyweight compared to zero pounds lost for the participants who were not given this natural compound.
One can only imagine their results if they combined a sensible diet plan with a regular exercise program.
If weight loss is your goal, these natural compounds show a lot of promise. However, do not expect miracles. A sensible diet and exercise program is always the best way to keep the weight off. - 15255
Weight loss pills do work, but not to the degree most people think. Back in the early 1990's when ephedra was first introduced, it was touted as a miracle weight loss supplement and to some, including myself it was. When you combined ephedra with caffeine and aspirin, this "stack" burned fat like butter on a hot stove.
Unfortunately along with its fat burning power, there was a long list of side effects as well. Many could not handle the powerful stimulant affects of this compound and it was blamed for many deaths. Whether or not this was true, the writing was on the wall and ephedra was banned in the United States and is no longer available.
Are there any other products that work?
Since ephedra was taken off the market, there really hasn't been anything that rivals its weight loss power (save for possibly one).
The most popular weight loss pills today are those containing Green tea and Hoodia. Green tea works through a process called thermogenesis (fat burning), while Hoodia is claimed to be an appetite suppressant. Both are said to be effective at shedding the fat, but nothing like ephedra.
There is however a natural compound that shows great promise in preventing fructose from converting to fat.
What's all the fuss about fructose?
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition believes that fructose may well be the cause of obesity in America today. Here's what they had to say:
"evidence that a marked increase in the use of HFCS, and therefore in total fructose consumption, preceded the obesity epidemic and may be an important contributor to this epidemic in the United States."
Over the last thirty years, there has been a 40% drop in the use of cane sugar and a 300% increase in the use of high fructose corn syrups! If you look at the label of most products on supermarket shelves today, you will likely find high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient.
What is this promising natural compound?
This all natural compound is derived from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Heartwood of Acacia. There more common names are Chineses skullcap and "Black catechu".
What does this compound do?
This natural compound works by substantially decreasing two key obesity markers TNFa and IL-6 circulating in the blood stream. These two cytokines are expressed in high levels in the chronically obese. These compounds have been shown to significantly decrease both of these obesity markers by inhibiting fat conversion from fructose pathways and down-regulating PPAR gene expression (fat accumulation) and up-regulating PPARa (fat breakdown) protein. To a lesser extent there is also a moderate down-regulation of lipoprotein lipase (which breaks down fat) on the gene level.
A double blind clinical study was conducted by scientists at JSS Medical Research, Inc., in Montreal, Canada. Participants were between the ages of 40 and 75. This age group normally has the most difficult time losing weight. None of the subjects were given any physical activity or dietary advice.
On average each participant lost an astounding 7% of their bodyweight compared to zero pounds lost for the participants who were not given this natural compound.
One can only imagine their results if they combined a sensible diet plan with a regular exercise program.
If weight loss is your goal, these natural compounds show a lot of promise. However, do not expect miracles. A sensible diet and exercise program is always the best way to keep the weight off. - 15255
About the Author:
Author Deen Dragonovich has over 3 decades in health and fitness and has studied fructose blockers along with weight loss pills for several years. He also offers valuable weight loss help regarding diet and exercise.
