Dissecting Weight Loss Supplements - Part 1
Copyright 2006 Daniel Weigum
Many are trying to loose weight and weight loss supplements are
a great success tool. Why are certain weight loss supplements
more effective? What should be in a good weight loss supplement?
There are a few different techniques weight loss supplements
target. Some weight loss supplements techniques are stimulate
metabolism, suppress appetite or a combination of these two key
processes. Weight loss supplements can help achieve the primary
objective; burn more calories than consumed.
There are several weight loss supplements on the market. Many
use similar ingredients. Hoodia Gordonii, Green Tea, and
Chromium are some common weight loss supplement ingredients. How
can these weight loss supplement ingredients help?
Hoodia Gordonii popularity is growing. Hoodia Gordonii is a
plant in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa resembling a cactus
plant. Hoodia Gordonii is not a cactus plant however, it is a
succulent. South African Bushmen have used Hoodia Gordonii to
ward off hunger during long desert journeys. Hoodia Gordonii has
finally migrated into weight loss supplements offering very
effective appetite suppressing benefits. Appetite suppression
without any stimulant effects is a great benefit of Hoodia
Gordonii. Many weight loss supplements have been short lived
because of harmful stimulant side effects. Individuals taking a
weight loss supplement containing Hoodia Gordonii can expect to
feel full more quickly while eating, become hunger less
frequently after meals and feel generally less interesting in
eating. Some do not feel the effects of Hoodia Gordonii for a
few weeks of regular doses of the weight loss supplement. If
appetite suppression is a quality you desire in a weight loss
supplement, Hoodia Gordonii is an excellent ingredient to look
for.
Green tea has many health benefits and has recently developed
popularity in weight loss supplements. A green tea study was
performed at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Green tea,
caffeine and a placebo were given to different study subjects.
Individuals taking green tea burned approximately 78 calories
more per day than individuals taking caffeine or placebo weight
loss supplements. Green tea also hosts several other health
benefits. Most weight loss supplements do not intend to add
antioxidants to your weight loss plan but green tea offers
powerful antioxidant properties. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
is a polyphenol and one of the key ingredients in green tea.
EGCG offers many health benefits including powerful antioxidant
and anti-cancer benefits, reduction in Low Density Lipoproteins
(LDL) levels among green tea users, and inhibits the abnormal
formation of blood clots which can lead to heart attack or
stroke. Green tea offers much more than just a metabolic
increase of approximately 78 calories a day but is still a very
effective weight loss supplement ingredient.
Chromium is a common ingredient in weight loss supplements.
Chromium picolinate is the most common form in weight loss
supplements. The trace element, chromium, has been given credit
for fat burning and even offered as an alternative for steroid
use to body builders. Unfortunately, most of these claims are
not true. Chromium aids in the production of the vital complex,
glucose tolerance factor (GTF). The organic complex, GTF,
interacts with insulin to regulate the uptake of glucose by
cells. If an individual is chromium deficient, the production of
Glucose Tolerance Factor will be reduced and the uptake of
glucose by cells would not be efficient. Inefficient glucose
uptake by cells is a common symptom of type-2 diabetes patients.
Chromium can aid in lowering blood sugar levels by contributing
in the production of GTF. Chromium also is recognized as an
appetite suppressant but is most effective at increasing the
efficiency of insulin during cellular glucose intake.
Weight loss supplements can benefit many if used correctly.
Remember to have a weight loss mentality and not to rely solely
on the supplement for results. The staggering statistics in the
United States suggest 2/3 of the population will probably be
researching weight loss supplements this year. Before taking a
weight loss supplement, make sure to understand all the side
effects and benefits of the ingredients. Weight loss supplements
can be the boost you need while building a thinner, healthier
physique.