Losing weight can be challenging at the best of times, so dieters generally welcome anything that can boost their progress. Rather than focusing on simply the quantity of food you consume, you may benefit just as much from the precise selection of foods. Some foods provide more than just a source of energy and can increase the rate at which the body burns fat.
Burning Fat
The body constantly burns fat, with the majority of this process concentrated in the liver and muscles. Udo Erasmus, a Canadian researcher and the author of "Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill," says the consumption of easy-to-burn fats such as omega-3s can increase the activity of fat-burning enzymes in the liver and muscles.
Increasing Energy Demands
Another way of increasing the rate of fat burning is by increasing the energy requirements. The human body spends a significant portion of its energy on thermogenesis. Thermogenesis describes the process through which the body uses fat to generate heat to maintain a suitable core temperature; some foods can increase the rate of this process.
Oily Fish
Fish oils contain a high concentration of the omega-3 acids EPA and DHA, also known as eicosapentanoic acid and decosahexanoic acid. Mike Roussell, a nutritional researcher and a contributor to T Nation, identifies fish oils as one of the most useful supplements for general health and weight loss. He explains that these fatty acids stimulate weight loss in a variety of ways, from improving insulin sensitivity to inhibiting the action of fat-storage enzymes. The reactive nature of omega-3 oils also increases fat oxidation in the liver.
Cayenne
Most spices show a thermogenic effect following consumption. Dr. John Heinermann, a medical anthropologist and the author of "The Healing Benefits of Cayenne," explains that chili peppers--in particular, cayenne--contain capsaicin, which can enhance weight loss. They increase the rate of thermogenesis by binding to receptors in the central nervous system.
Coconuts
Found growing on palm trees in many locations throughout the tropics, coconuts represent a concentrated source of both fluid and energy. Dr. Bruce Fife, the author of "The Coconut Oil Miracle," points out that the solid part of the plant, known as the copra, contains a high concentration of medium chain fats that exhibit an array of beneficial effects in the body. As well as improving energy production and helping eliminate pathogenic bacteria and yeast, these special fatty acids improve the rate at which the liver oxidizes fats and, in doing so, increases the metabolic rate.
References
- "The Healing Benefits of Cayenne"; Dr. John Heinermann; 1999
- T Muscle: Fish Oil and Fat Loss
- "The Coconut Oil Miracle"; Dr. Bruce Fife; 2004
- "Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill"; Udo Eramus, PhD; 1986.
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