Natural weight loss products have been getting a lot of attention lately, and for good reason. It is rare to meet anyone that would not like to lose a few pounds. However, it is particularly important to be well-informed before taking any natural product or supplement to ensure safety and efficacy. Some natural weight loss products have been well-studied, like green tea, while others like ephedra, have been banned in the United States for safety reasons even before full clinical research studies have been performed.
Ephedra
Ephedra sinica, also known as ma huang, has been widely used in natural preparations as a central nervous system stimulant for promotion of weight loss, as a bronchodilator and a vasoconstrictor. According to the Mayo Clinic, commercial preparations of ephedra have not yet been studied, severe anecdotal adverse reactions to ephedra have been reported. Ephedra has been implicated in causing hypertension, tachycardia, central nervous system excitability, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, stroke, and even death. For that reason, ephedra is no longer used as a weight loss agent as it was taken off the market in 2004. It has been banned ever since in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration.
Bitter Orange
Bitter orange, also known as citrus aurantium, Seville orange, sour orange and zhi-shi, is grown in eastern Africa and tropical Asia, the Mediterranean, California, and Florida. According to the National Institutes of Health, bitter orange leaves and flowers have been used extensively in Chinese medicine to treat nausea, indigestion and constipation. Western medicine also uses bitter orange for heart burn, loss of appetite, nasal congestion and especially for weight loss. Side effects of increased heart rate and blood pressure have been reported, especially when taken with caffeine. The efficacy of bitter orange in weight loss has not yet been established, though it is similar to ephedra and listed as possibly unsafe by the Mayo Clinic.
Green Tea
Green tea, also known as camellia sinensis, was first cultivated in India and China. According to the University of Maryland, it is second only to water as a beverage. "Hundreds of millions of people drink tea around the world, and studies suggest that green tea in particular, has many health benefits." Green tea has been used as a stimulant, a diuretic, an astringent, and to enhance cardiovascular health, to regulate body temperature and blood sugar, promote digestion, and to improve cognitive processes. In terms of weight loss, green tea has been found to boost metabolism and helps to burn fat.
Hoodia
According to the National Institutes of Health, Hoodia, also known as Kalahari cactus and xhoba, consists of the extract taken from the stems of the hoodia plant and made into capsules, powder, and chewables. Hoodia preparations often contain green tea or chromium picolate, both purported as weight loss agents. The safety and efficacy of hoodia use in natural weight loss is not known as there have been no published human studies. As always, it is important to consult a physician before taking any weight loss products or supplements to prevent interference with any ongoing health conditions or medications currently being taken.
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