Why Lose Weight

There are many people out there who are trying to lose weight. For those of you who are considering diet pills, you may want to consider natural appetite suppressants. Natural appetite suppressants can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. They may be bought over the counter as herbal weight loss products and are just as safe and effective as prescription pills.

Here are a few examples of some commonly used OTC natural appetite suppressants that are both safe and effective. Remember to always consult a doctor before you take any kind of weight loss medication.

• St. John’s Wort. This product is an herb commonly used as an antidepressant. Very few studies have been conducted to prove its effectiveness in promoting weight loss. If you use St. John’s wort, you should avoid tyramine-containing foods such as, aged cheese, cured or aged meats, wines, etc. It is important to check with your doctor before taking any other medications. It has many potential harmful interactions with antidepressants, birth control pills, blood thinners, heart medications and dextromethorphan (contained in various cold remedies). The use of St. John’s wort for weight loss is potentially very dangerous.
• Chitosan (KITE-o-san). This dietary supplement is made from chitin. Chitin is a starch found in the skeleton of shrimp, crab, and a variety of shellfish. Since Chitosan cannot be digested, it passes through your intestinal tract unabsorbed adding 0 calories. The chemical structure of Chitosan makes it bind with fatty foods. It helps to remove some of the fat from your body as it passes through and prevents it from being absorbed.
• Chromium is a mineral which is thought to enhance the effect of insulin. It results in the breakdown of carbohydrates acting as a weight loss aid and a fat burner.
• Pyruvate. Pyruvate is made in the body during the digestion of carbohydrates and protein. According to researchers, it may have a slight effect in helping with weight loss. While in the form of pyruvic acid, pyruvate can be found in a variety of foods such as red apples, cheese, and red wine.
• Aloe. Aloe is often used as a topical ointment for healing wounds. Oral forms of aloe are often used in herbal weight-loss products. Aloe taken orally has been known to produce strong bowel movements giving it the nickname “internal cleanser.” However, aloe or aloe-containing products should not be taken orally if you have intestinal problems.
• Cascara. Cascara is a common ingredient included in many weight loss products. It’s one of the few herbs that have been approved by the FDA as an OTC drug. Cascara is a strong stimulant laxative. Misuse of this herb may cause problems with the body’s use of minerals like potassium and sodium)
  Dandelion. Dandelion is considered to be a natural diuretic. It may produce significant weight loss by decreasing the amount of water in the body. However, it’s been known to cause allergic reactions and heartburn.
• Guarana. Produced from the seeds of a Brazilian plant, guarana helps increase brain activity and is also used to promote weight loss. This is due to its stimulant and diuretic effect. Guarana contains 3% to 5% caffeine and possibly causes high blood pressure. Some of the extracts have been known to cause prolonged bleeding and interact with blood thinner medication such as Coumadin.
• Herbal Diuretics. There are a wide variety of herbal diuretics available on the market today. Many are commonly found in over-the-counter weight loss products or prescription medications. Most herbal OTC diuretics are derived from caffeine. They are non-toxic but have been known to interact with some medications. Consult with your doctor before using.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 9:02 am and is filed under Weight Loss Supplements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.