Being overweight may put you at a greater risk of developing a number of conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. The University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC, notes that 60 percent of American adults and 25 percent of American children are overweight. Losing weight is not always easy. As such, people often turn to supplements, including herbs, to help them lose excess weight. Evidence that herbs can help you to lose weight is mixed. Although herbs are natural, it does not necessarily mean that they are safe. Get advice from your doctor before including them in your weight loss program.
Examples
UMMC suggests several herbs that may aid weight loss and reduce hunger cravings. These include green tea and capsicum, which is found in the red hot chili peppers. Green tea may help you to lose weight by boosting your metabolism, while capsaicin may make you feel less hungry and help your body to burn fat. Get medical advice as to how much of each herb you should take as part of your weight loss plan.
Effectiveness
The results of a study by T.H. Tsai published in the September 2009 issue of the "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition," show that green tea may aid weight loss and may also reduce cholesterol levels. An earlier study by M.S. Westerterp-Plantenga et al., published in the July 2005 issue of "Obesity Research," also found that green tea caused weight loss in overweight and moderately obese subjects. Research by H.C. Reinbach et al., published in the June 2009 issue of "Clinical Nutrition," found that capsicum and green tea helped to support weight loss by supressing hunger.
Side Effects
RxList notes that capsicum it is likely safe for most adults but it may cause side effects including sweating, flushing and stomach upset. Taking capsicum for long periods, or in large quantities, may lead to more serious side effects, such as kidney damage, RxList warns. Green tea is also likely safe, but avoid drinking more than five cups per day, as its caffeine content may cause a number of unpleasant side effects including irritability, headache, nausea and insomnia.
Considerations
Do not take capsicum if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have a pepper allergy. It may also interact with other drugs, including medicines for high blood pressure and anticoagulants. Green tea is not a suitable weight loss aid for everyone. It is contraindicated in a large number of conditions, including glaucoma, anxiety, heart conditions, liver disease, osteoporosis and anemia. Green tea also interacts with a large number of other medicines including anticoagulants, some antibiotics and the birth control pill.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Obesity
- International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition; A novel Green Tea Meal Replacement Formula for Weight loss Among Obese Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial; C.H. Tsai et al; September 2009
- Obesity Research; Body Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance in Relation to Habitual Caffeine Intake and Green Tea Supplementation; M.S. Westerterp-Plantenga et al; July 2005
- Clinical Nutrition; Effects of Capsaicin, Green Tea and CH-19 Sweet Pepper on Appetite and Energy Intake in Humans in Negative and Positive Energy Balance; H.C. Reinbach et al., June 2009
- RxList: Capsicum
- MedlinePlus: Green Tea
Member Comments