Boost your metabolism with ...
GREEN TEA EXTRACT
HOW IT WORKS: EGCG in green tea diets is also helpful in increasing the 24-hour energy expenditure of the body. A study on green tea diets conducted by American and Swiss scientists in the University of Geneva showed an additional increase of four percent in the body’s natural energy expenditure. People who were on a green tea diet were more likely to use up more fats than those not on a green tea diet.
Also, green tea diets are said to greatly help in lowering down cholesterol levels in humans. The study on green tea diets was conducted in China using 240 people with high cholesterol levels as subjects. These people were placed on a green tea diet of one capsule (equivalent to seven cups of green tea) or were given one placebo every day. After twelve weeks, those who were on a green tea diet dropped sixteen percent in their cholesterol levels.
WATCH OUT: Green tea can alleviate water retention, but it also may cause diarrhea and nervousness.
Burn fat with ...
FISH OIL
HOW IT WORKS: Fish oil's omega-3 fatty acids help change the way the body uses fat: Instead of storing it, the body burns fat as fuel. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2007, Australian researchers found that both fish oil and exercise independently reduced body fat. But a combination of the two--the study subjects walked briskly three times a week for 45 minutes and consumed 1.9 grams of fish oil daily--was even more effective. "Fish oil also seems to stop some kinds of fat cravings," says Julia Ross, director of Recovery Systems Clinic in Mill Valley, Calif.
DOSAGE: 1000 to 2000 mg daily.
WATCH OUT: Start with a low dosage; higher dosage may disrupt sleep, says Ross.
Stop cravings with ...
L-GLUTAMINE
HOW IT WORKS: When blood sugar levels drop, cravings tend to follow because your brain isn't getting the fuel it needs. "L-glutamine, an amino acid, instantly fuels the brain, which stops the code red that makes you crave sweets and starchy foods," says Ross. Evidence also suggests that L-glutamine might facilitate weight loss by affecting the conversion and storage of calories. In a 1996 study at Duke University Medical Center, researchers found that supplementation with L-glutamine caused weight loss in mice.
DOSAGE: Two 500-mg capsules three times a day between meals for one to two months. For the fastest effect, let the capsules dissolve under your tongue.
Beat a sweet tooth with ...
GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE
HOW IT WORKS: Derived from a plant that grows wild in India and Africa, gymnema has been shown to reduce the ability to taste sweetness. Gymnema molecules are similar to glucose and fill the taste bud receptors on the tongue, making it seem like you've gotten a sugar fix. One landmark study, published in the journal Physiology & Behavior in 1983, found that people who took a dose of gymnema had a diminished perception of sweetness and, when offered snack foods, ate fewer calories than did control subjects.
DOSAGE: 300 mg two to three times a day.
WATCH OUT: High doses have been linked with low blood sugar, so use in recommended amounts.
Burn fat & boost your metabolism with ...
GUGGUL
HOW IT WORKS: An Ayurvedic remedy, guggul is used for relieving joint pain, lowering cholesterol, and aiding weight loss. In a 1999 study conducted by researchers at the University of Nebraska and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, people who took 750 mg of guggul each day and did a combination of strength and aerobic training workout three times a week for six weeks lost an average of six pounds; those who exercised but did not take guggul lost only a half to one pound. "Guggul helps the body metabolize fat and improves thyroid function by increasing thyroid hormone levels," says John Douillard, Ph.D., director of the LifeSpa School of Ayurveda.
DOSAGE: 500 mg, three times a day for three months.
Get energized with ...
REISHI MUSHROOMS
HOW IT WORKS: Sometimes harvested in the wild, where they grow on fallen logs, reishi mushrooms are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to build strength and immunity and to fight fatigue. That may be why they work as weight loss supplements, says Hadady, adding that evidence of reishi's effectiveness in weight loss is only anecdotal. The logic: "It's much easier to stick with healthy eating and exercise if you feel strong and energetic," says Hadady. In Chinese medicine, reishi--also known as ganoderma--is used to treat hypertension.
DOSAGE: 10 to 20 drops of reishi liquid extract or 600 mg in capsule form.
No comments:
Post a Comment