Natural Remedies for Losing Weight - Glucomannan

Everywhere you look you can find lots of advice on how to lose weight. Trouble is most people who want to lose it are in a hurry, despite it taking them a long time to actually put it on.  It goes without saying that when battling weight problems it's a good idea to try and understand the possible behavioral, metabolic, hormonal or genetic factors underlying your weight problems. 

With all the information floating around, in books, magazines, online, and in herbal remedy books that promote herbs for weight loss you'd think you'd be able to find something that actually does work.  Overall, there is really only one successful weight loss program that works for the largest number of people - increase physical activity, cut calories and eat wholesome, nutritious foods.

If you want to still try a natural remedy for losing weight, you certainly can.  You just need to be aware that these remedies work best if combined with changing your lifestyle. Whatever natural remedy you are considering, check it carefully for side effects and precisely how it accomplishes the weight loss it claims it can deliver.

If you are considering Glucomannan (derived from the root of of Amorphophallus Konjac) you'd want to know it's supposed to help you lose weight by delaying the absorption of glucose from the intestines.   The working theory behind this product is that it binds with substances in the digestive tract to slow digestion and reduce the absorption of fat and carbohydrates. Since it absorbs a lot of water and swells in the stomach (forming a gelatinous mass), it gives you a feeling of fullness.  Glucomannan is frequently used in supplements intended to promote weight loss.

Evidently Glucomannan research does show it lowers cholesterol (total and LDL).  But of course, you would like it to help you lose weight.  And that also seems to be something it can help you with.  The Glucomannan (an actual fiber) can physically take up space in your stomach and turn off your brain's hunger signals.  If you take this prior to a meal, you will be eating less. By mixing Glucomannan fiber with foods you've eaten, you're lowering the glycemic index of those foods, because the fiber slows the absorption of carbohydrates from those foods. Thus weight loss occurs, slowly but surely.

Be aware this product has been cited for causing esophageal obstruction and has been banned in several countries for this reason. Research Glucomannan before you try it, and get all the information you can before making a decision.

Natural Remedies for Losing Weight - Exiliss

Research proved if you reduce your weight by just 10 per cent of your total weight you immediately benefit in a variety of ways.  For instance, If you are overweight or obese, you increase your risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, hyper tension and Type 2 diabetes. Without carrying those extra life draining pounds, your body will thank you, and you will be a whole lot healthier for it too.

A relative new comer to the natural remedy for weight loss field is Exiliss.  It boasts of all natural ingredients that work together to burn fat, or fight excess fat.  The ingredients are Hoodia Gordonii (a powerful appetite suppressant), Chromium Picolinate (a metabolism booster), Selenium (antioxidant to control free radicals), Calcium Citrate (your body absorbs this better than Calcium Carbonate), and Soy Isoflavones (help lower cholesterol and heart disease risk).

There are more ingredients in this particular formula that also help you to lose weight - Kola Nut, Guarana, Grapefruit, Chinese Ginseng, Gymnema, Chickweed, Almond Nut, and Bladderwrack.  Quite the collection of herbals, but what are they supposed to do for you?  Kola Nut and Guarana are natural caffeine sources.  Ginseng is an energy booster.  Gymnema reduces sugar cravings, Chickweed, a mild appetite suppressant, Almond Nut, healthy monounsaturated fats to promote weight loss, and Bladderwrack, iodine rich for healthy thyroid function and metabolism.

Judging from the testimonials about this product, it does seem to work.  However the real question is whether or not it is for you.   This product is supposed to suppress your appetite, which will make you eat less.  That's a start in the right direction of course, but even with a product like this, you will still have to make lifestyle changes and diet changes.  Translation:  no matter what you are doing, you will still need to eat less, exercise more and do something about the stressors that make you eat too much.  Losing weight is not easy and you need to work at it.  But, with the help of a natural weight loss product like Exiliss, you will lose those frustrating pounds and still get your required intake of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.  Just do your product research before you opt in to buy any product for weight loss.

Natural Remedies for Losing Weight - Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) belongs to the holly family and is prepared by steeping dry leaves and twigs in hot water (the infusion is called Mate).  Only slightly less potent than coffee, it appears to be easier on the stomach. Yerba Mate has a strong vegetal, herbal, and grassy flavour much like some varieties of green tea.

Over the past few years, extracts of Yerba Mate have shown up in natural remedies for losing weight.  Why?  Because it contains over 250 natural compounds such as caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. These compounds stimulate the central nervous system, and are diuretics, causing the body to shed water. Caffeine, theophylline and theobromine suppress appetite, and boost metabolism.   The question is if Yerba Mate contains these ingredients and they are then combined with other variations of stimulants, diuretics, fat burners and goodness knows what else, what kind of side effects are potentially lurking in the wings?  

Yerba Mate proponents insist this is one of those wonder herbals that can actually achieve your weight loss and leaner physique goals without having to do too much about exercise or changing how you eat.  They say Yerba mate suppresses appetite, increases caloric burn rate, and increases urination, thereby reducing overall body water weight.  Note they say overall body WATER weight.  While losing water does mean you weigh less, it doesn't address the primary problem of over eating, not eating properly and not exercising.  At best, it would seem this product may be more of a quick fix than a real weight loss product.

Always check with a doctor about your weight loss goals and how you are going to achieve them.  If you plan on using an herbal product like this, then make sure your Doctor knows what other medications you are taking in addition.  It is better to be safe, and to do your homework, rather than just plunge into something you aren't really sure about. 

Natural Remedies for Losing Weight - The Cross Training Support Program

The Cross Training Support Program is rather unique in that it advocates that weight loss can be helped with Aromatherapy, Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Exercise, Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes, Crystals and/or Homeopathy. In other words, complementary therapies are the cross training. 

As with all plans to lose weight, you will still need to eat less and exercise more. Consume less sugar, simple carbohydrates and saturated fats. It's just as basic as that.  No matter what other supplements or capsules you take, the bottom line is still you have to work to get it off.  At the root of obesity is a physiological and psychological problem. 

It seems about 66% of adults in the USA are overweight or obese.  It that isn't scary enough, about 25 million young people are either overweight or on the brink of becoming so. 

What does cross training suggest you do?  They offer a 12 step program if you will that covers all the natural remedies for losing weight.  The first is think of your weight loss as a lifestyle change, not a diet.  Don't count calories (that's a radical one), just replace high fat content with low fat content. Eat low on the sugar index, to avoid highs and lows in your blood sugar that can lead to increased insulin production and conversion of calories to fat. Don't drink - it's fattening. Exercise, no way around it.  Drink lots of water.  Eat more frequently during the day. Take vitamins.  Cut back on meat products. Reduce your portions.  Believe in yourself and what you are doing.  Sleep well.  Overcome fears. 

The 12-step cross training program for losing weight isn't anything we haven't heard before. It doesn't offer lotions, potions or pills.  It offers a plain old reasonable common sense natural remedy for losing weight.  Are you up to the challenge?

Natural Remedies for Losing Weight - The Brain/Mind

This might seem like an usual idea, losing weight using the brain/mind - but if you stop to think about it - it makes perfect sense.   Where do all your thoughts come from?  You decision making abilities?  Your fears, joys, etc?  The brain/mind.  It's far more powerful than many give it credit for and sadly underestimated as well.

Let's think about this idea a bit more - the brain as a natural remedy for losing weight.  Not only is it immediately at your disposal, it is free.  It's always available and can perform amazing feats when given the chance.  You've heard and read about the power of positive thinking, about affirmations and meditation.  They work, so why wouldn't being positive about your weight loss journey?

How difficult would it be to re-tool thinking patterns about food, diets, lifestyle changes and exercising?  It might take quite a long time, but if the motivation is there, and the will and drive to succeed, it would make a winning combination.  Granted there are exceptions to every rule, and there no doubt would be people who are genetically disposed to weight gain, those who have medical reasons they cannot lose weight, and still others who just don't want to lose weight for their own reasons.

In the final analysis, using your mind/brain connection in combination with a change in eating habits, increased exercise, smaller portions, and weight loss support groups certainly won't hurt you.  In fact, it may teach you about a whole other side to how powerful your mind/brain can really be.  It won't give you side effects either.   

That is the key to the weight loss industry, it prays on our mind and our fears about being overweight.  It sends subtle negative messages that tell you to rely on drugs for a solution you really have control over.  The hundreds of weight loss remedies mostly suggest you cannot lose weight without this herb or that fat burner.  A few will mention in small print that you should change your lifestyle in addition to using their products, but let's face it, how many people actually take the time to read the small print. With a little planning, a powerful urge to succeed in losing weight,  a positive mind/brain approach to the changes you need to make and support and hard work - you WILL make it, there is no doubt about it. 

Natural Remedies for Losing Weight - St. John's Wort

While there are definitely any number of natural remedies for losing weight on the market, the question really becomes how effective are they and how safe are they.  The answers to both of those questions would need to be researched carefully before you made any decisions.  One thing to also remember, if you happen to be morbidly obese, many of these natural remedies for losing weight are likely not for you.  As with any weight loss venture, you need to make sure you talk to your Doctor before you start any program.  

One rather controversial herbal product that has a history of actually being used as an anti-depressant, seems to also be another contender in the weight loss arena.  St. John's Wort, also called Hypericum, Klamath Weed, or Goat Weed, has been used for centuries to treat nerve pain, mental disorders, malaria, insect bites, wounds and burns.  Amazingly, there are over 370 species of the genus Hypericum worldwide.  It was also used by Native American as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and astringent.

 In the twentieth century St. John's Wort (named for its traditional flowering and harvesting on St. John's day, June 24th) has more commonly been used to treat depression, anxiety, and/or sleep disorders.  The part of the plant used to make preparations is the top of the little yellow flower and is usually used to makes teas and tablets.

How does St John's Wort help you lose weight?  That's the funny part - it does and it doesn't.  It seems the herbal remedy itself does not help you lose weight.  However, how it makes you feel by improving how you feel about yourself, does cause you to lose weight.  Being in a better frame of mind may cause people to eat less.  Bottom line is any change in your eating habits after taking St. John's Wort will have more to do with any psychological improvements and not the herbal remedy.

Here's the most interesting thing though, there are natural remedies for losing weight on the market that feature St. John's Wort as the main active ingredient.  The way it's presented implies St. John's Wort is the key proponent to your anticipated weight loss.  It isn't, and this is a misrepresentation.  So once again, do your research before you start taking any natural remedies for losing weight.  Also, pay attention to any side-effects that may result from the herbal remedy you are considering. 

Natural Remedies for Losing Weight - Pyruvate

It seems we all Pyruvate present in our bodies, as it is formed during the digestion of carbohydrates and proteins.  The claims for this natural remedy for losing weight are that it reduces fat, prevents the fat loss yo-yo effect, reduces cholesterol and increases endurance.  All very beneficial things, if they actually come to pass. 

And now down to business, does this work or doesn't it?  Again, you would definitely need to do your own research as there seems to be at least three difference answers to that question - yes, no and maybe in some cases.  Some say it works but only at high dosages (22 - 28 grams daily when the recommended dose is 500 micrograms to 1 gram).  Some studies show that 23 per cent of the people who participated actually lost weight as opposed to some claims of a 48 per cent weight loss (roughly 2 to 3 pounds, not significant).

Now, on the other hand, another body of research says pyruvate does affect weight loss by burning fat and boosts energy.  And this, good for high-end athletes and body builders, it kicks up the transport of glucose and protein into muscle cells and boosts exercise performance levels.  Translation: helps them get toned and have more energy.

Once again, the jury is out on whether Pyruvate is truly effective or not.  One thing you can take to the bank is that Pyruvate can be found in red apples, cheese and red wine.  That's not to say go out and stuff yourself with any or all of these foods.  But it does indicate that small amounts may be just fine, where larger amounts may be problematic.  In the final analysis, more study is needed to determine if Pyruvate's claims of decreasing appetite and helping you lose weight are actually valid.  What is certain, is this product is highly touted as a natural remedy for losing weight.  The decision is up to you.  Weigh all the options with care.