Thanks to rising obesity rates in the United States, there are a wide number of dietary supplements available for fat loss. However, many of these supplements contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants, which may cause side effects or induce dependence. For those who wish to avoid those ingredients, there are a variety of herbs and extracts that are used in weight loss supplements. While these may be safe, you should research ingredients thoroughly before using.
Always consult a physician before embarking upon any holistic weight loss regimen.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a common ingredient in herbal weight loss supplements. As Medline Plus, a service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health explains, ginseng may help lower blood sugar, which can help control your appetite. In addition, Medline Plus suggests that Ginseng can promote positive changes in body weight, though the website notes that more research is needed to measure the true effectiveness of the herbal ingredient.
Ephedra
Ephedra, also known as ma huang, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for years, according to the University of Maryland Medical Clinic. The clinic notes that while ephedra is banned in over the counter supplements, it is still available by prescription. In addition, the clinic explains that research has shown ephedra to promote weight loss, though many supplements containing ephedra have been linked to serious side effects, including irregular heart beat, stroke and in some cases, death.
Green Tea
Green tea is an herbal ingredient that is sold as a weight loss supplement independently and as part of larger formulas. Green tea contains caffeine, which can boost energy levels and may encourage an increase in your metabolic rate. According to research, green tea may be an effective supplement for fat loss, even in the absence of exercise. A study from the June 2007 issue of the journal "Obesity" found that green tea extract that was high in catechins significantly reduced body weight, body fat, cholesterol and blood pressure in study participants.
Garcinia cambogia
Garcinia cambogia contains hydroxycitric acid, which may have benefits for weight loss, according to the supplement information website Herbal-Supplement-Resource.com. According to the website, Garcinia cambogia can help reduce weight by curbing your appetite, thus loweing calorie intake. In addition, Garcinia cambogia is also believed to prevent your body from converting carbohydrates to fats, which makes it an attractive ingredient in fat loss and weight management supplements.
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