Losing weight can be a challenge, but sifting through the products that claim to help you shed pounds can pose an even bigger challenge. A healthy diet and daily exercise are what help you lose weight, but some herbal supplements can aid in your efforts. According to the Mayo Clinic website, many herbal supplements have dangerous drug-like side effects, even products that claim to be "natural." Other weight loss supplements often contain harsh stimulants that can interfere with normal body processes as well as medications. Talk to your physician before taking any type of herbal supplement.
Green Tea
People have been drinking green tea, which contains healthy antioxidants called polyphenols, for hundreds of years for its vast array of health benefits. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, drinking green tea or taking a green tea supplement on a regular basis may improve metabolism to aid in weight loss. Researchers believe that the herb's effect on weight loss is due to the catechins, a type of polyphenol, found in green tea. Green tea contains caffeine and should be used with caution if you have a sensitivity to stimulants.
Guarana
Made from the crushed seeds of a shrub native to Brazil, guarana contains caffeine and is often mixed with the fiber supplement glucomannan in natural weight loss supplements. The caffeine effects of guarana causes the release of dopamine, adrenaline and epinephrine, which helps your body burn stored fat for energy. When combined with damiana and yerba mate, guarana slows gastric emptying, causing you to feel fuller for a longer period, according to a study performed by Dr. Torben Andersen of the Department of Ultrasound at the Charlottenlund Medical Center in Denmark. Guarana may cause insomnia, excessive nervousness and other health concerns for those sensitive to stimulants. Do not use guarana if you are pregnant or nursing.
Ephedra
The use of dietary supplements containing ephedrine, with or without caffeine, showed a statistically significant weight loss of about two pounds a month over a six-month period, according to a study performed by the Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center-RAND and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers did not study the long-term effects of ephedrine and ephedra or what occurs once the ephedrine or ephedra is stopped. Common side effects of ephedra include an upset stomach, irritability and headaches. Use ephedra with caution and contact a physician immediately if severe side effects, such as vomiting, shortness of breath, fainting or chest pain occur. Avoid using products containing ephedra if you are pregnant, nursing or have heart problems.
Yerba Mate
For centuries, yerba mate tea has been used by various cultures as an appetite suppressant and weight loss tool. The leaves of the tropical yerba mate plant are steeped in hot water to make a drinkable tea. Like guarana, yerba mate contains caffeine and is often found as an active ingredient in weight loss supplements and energy drinks. According to researchers in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the The College of New Jersey, yerba mate extract found in weight loss supplements suppresses appetite and decreases the risk of diet-induced obesity in both rats and humans. Use caution when consuming yerba mate, especially if you have a sensitivity to caffeine. Avoid drinking yerba mate tea while pregnant since birth defects, premature birth and low birth weight can occur.
References
- "Journal of the American Medical Association": Efficacy and Safety of Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- "Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics": Weight Loss and Delayed Gastric Emptying Following a South American Herbal Preparation in Overweight Patients; May 2002
- "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition": Thermogenic Effect of an Acute Ingestion of a Weight Loss Supplement
- Mayo Clinic: Herbal Supplements: What to Know Before You Buy
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