Whether you want to lose weight for medical reasons or because you want to look and feel better, you may find shedding excess pounds difficult. The best way of losing weight is by doing more exercise and cutting out high-calorie, fatty foods. Some people use herbal supplements alongside dietary and lifestyle changes to boost their efforts. Several herbs may help you to lose weight by increasing fat oxidation, that is, they help your body to burn fat. However, evidence proving they are effective is limited. Get medical advice before taking herbs.
Examples
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that several herbs may help you to lose weight. Examples of herbs that may increase your body's fat-burning capacity include green tea and cayenne pepper. Green tea, sometimes known as China tea, is a commonly consumed beverage. However, it also has medicinal effects and is used to treat a variety of conditions, including certain cancers and Crohn's disease. Cayenne pepper, also known as capsicum, is primarily used to flavor cooking, although its active ingredient, capsaicin, is sometimes used for headaches and colic. It is also used as a weight loss aid because it helps to burn fat.
Administration
Although green tea is primarily consumed as a beverage, you may prefer to take it in capsules or tablets. Cayenne pepper supplements are usually supplied in capsules. Guidance regarding the amount of each herb your body needs to help it burn fat is lacking, although UMMC suggests taking 6 g to 10 g of cayenne pepper with your meals. Ask your doctor or dietitian how much green tea you should take -- too little may not have any effect, while taking too much may cause unpleasant side effects.
Scientific Evidence
An article by R. Hursel et al. published in the April 2010 issue of the "International Journal of Obesity" notes that cayenne pepper and certain teas, including green tea, both help to increase energy expenditure and boost fat burning. In addition to helping your body burn fat, both herbs may also aid weight loss by sustaining a feeling of fullness and suppressing hunger pangs, according to the results of research published in the June 2009 issue of "Clinical Nutrition."
Safety Considerations
Cayenne pepper and green tea are not suitable herbal treatments for everyone and both may cause side effects. Although green tea is likely safe for most adults, drinking more than five cups daily may cause nausea, insomnia, restlessness and tremor. Use of this herb is also contraindicated in a number of conditions, including osteoporosis and diabetes. Cayenne pepper may cause flushing and increased sweating. It also interacts with other drugs you may be taking, including sedatives and anti-hypertensives.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Obesity
- MedlinePlus: Green Tea
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Cayenne
- "International Journal of Obesity"; Thermogenic Ingredients and Body Weight Regulation; R. Hursel et al.; September 2009
- "Clinical Nutrition"; Effects of Capsaicin, Green Tea and CH-19 Sweet Pepper on Appetite and Emergy Intake in Humans in Negative and Positive Energy Balance; H.C. Reinbach and M.S. Westerterp-Plantenga; April 2010
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