Every day, the supplement industry sees another new herb that promises to be the miracle weight loss drug everyone's been waiting for. Saffron has been used in the kitchen for centuries, but it is now being marketed as a weight loss supplement. The herb itself does have certain properties that may assist you in your progress, but be wary of saffron oil supplements -- if they don't contain a high enough concentration of saffron, they will be no help at all.
Saffron
Saffron is the stigma of the Crocus sativus flower, which is plucked, dried and used as a culinary herb. It is used in traditional medicine as a stimulant, diuretic and stomach-soother, and extracts are used in Western medicine for antiseptic and spasmodic purposes. Saffron is also a potent source of riboflavin, which herbal medicine practitioners believe may help reduce cholesterol levels, and certain compounds are believed to enhance the body's natural infection-fighting activities.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin is a B vitamin that must be consumed daily because your body does not store it. One of the main functions of riboflavin is to assist with burning carbohydrates for energy. In this sense, saffron oil may help you lose weight by helping your body find the energy it needs to sustain long aerobic workouts. The National Institute of Health recommends 1.1 to 1.3 mg of riboflavin per day, but saffron is not the only way to get it. Proteins like legumes and meats contain riboflavin, as do dairy products and green leafy vegetables.
Weight Loss
A 2010 study published in "Nutrition Research" found that a daily dose of 176.5 mg of saffron extract reduced snacking behaviors in mildly overweight women, allowing them to reduce their body weight by a greater percentage than the control group. A 2005 study published in "Phytotherapy Research" found that 30 mg of saffron per day reduced the symptoms of mild to moderate depression, which can cause disturbances to your serotonin levels. This could lead you to snack more and eat more high-carbohydrate foods, while discouraging you from physical activity. If you believe that your weight issues are caused in part by depression, saffron may be a viable tool for you.
Buyer Beware
Consult your doctor before taking any new supplement. If depression is affecting your weight, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant that may be more effective than saffron oil. If you decide to use saffron oil anyway, read the label carefully to see how much saffron it actually contains. Supplements are not regulated, so there is no standard concentration and the supplement may not even contain what it says on the label. Be sure to check with your doctor about any possible drug interactions or other possible side effects.
References
- PubMed.gov: Depression and Weight Gain: The Serotonin Connection
- PubMed.gov: Crocus sativus L. in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Double-Blind, Randomized and Placebo-Controlled Trial
- PubMed.gov: Satiereal, a Crocus sativus L Extract, Reduces Snacking and Increases Satiety in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Mildly Overweight, Healthy Women
- MedlinePlus: Riboflavin
- Royal Saffron: Uses in Medicine
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