It's no wonder that weight loss can be so frustrating. Many popular diets leave you feeling unhealthy with symptoms such as bloating and headaches. Eventually, they fail and cause disappointment that leads to further weight gain. That's why the American Heart Association recommends nutritious eating and exercise as the best ways to lose weight. However, holistic weight loss goes a step further, nourishing your whole body and tackling other factors that contribute to weight gain.
Yoga Videos
Stress elevates cortisol levels, which triggers glucose production in your body, explains Henri Roca, medical director of Greenwich Hospital's Center for Integrative Medicine. When there's too much glucose in your body, it's converted into fat, especially abdominal fat. In a study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, regular yoga practice was linked to mindful eating, which is linked to a lower risk of obesity. This ancient Eastern practice improved sensitivity to feeling full after eating, or satiety, and it was even able to prevent abdominal spread or the dreaded "spare tire" commonly associated with middle age. You can find many yoga videos at your local library that cater to your age, fitness level and yoga experience.
Milk Thistle Herbal Supplement
According to Sandra Cabot, a medical doctor and author of "The Liver-cleansing Diet," the liver is the most important fat-burning organ in the body. (Refs 4 and 5-for I.D.) A poor diet, for instance one that's low in dietary fiber, causes some fats and toxins that the liver usually expels to be re-circulated in your body and return to the liver, which can increase your weight. Also, if your liver accumulates too many toxins, it functions less efficiently. The herb milk thistle is a potent liver tonic that helps to detoxify the body and burn fat, notes Cabot. It's also rich in nutrients your body needs such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Although milk thistle is considered very safe to take, it can cause allergies if you're allergic to plants such as ragweed, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consult your doctor before taking it.
Acupressure or Acupuncture Patches
Acupuncture is another ancient Eastern approach that's being linked to weight loss. A 1998 study published in the journal "Australian Family Physician" analyzed the effects of wearing a device that stimulated acupuncture points on the ear lobes. Participants experienced decreased appetites and lost significantly more weight than a control group. The researchers explain that acupuncture on the outer ear stimulates part of the vagal nerve to boost levels of serotonin---a hormone that tones the stomach's smooth muscle, which helps to reduce appetite. The Australian journal also said other acupuncture benefits for dieters include better control of stress and improved metabolism and intestinal function.
References
- American Heart Association: Quick-Weight-Loss or Fad Diets
- Medical News Today: Holistic Weight Loss a Non Diet Approach to Good Health
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center: Regular yoga practice is associated with mindful eating
- Liverdoctor.com: The Liver and Weight Loss
- Liverdoctor.com: About Dr. Sandra Cabot
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