Herbal phentermine is a diet supplement. It comes in capsule form under a variety of brand names, and is considered to be a natural alternative to phentermine, a stimulant prescription drug used as an appetite suppressant. Herbal phentermine does not contain any synthetic phentermine, and does not require a prescription. It is marketed as a weight loss product that works by increasing metabolism and energy, suppressing appetite, and burning fat and calories.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is the main ingredient in herbal phentermine. Green tea contains catechins, flavonoids that burn calories and reduce body fat. Green tea also contains caffeine, another substance that burns calories and boosts energy. Catechins and caffeine together are a more effective weight loss combination. A survey published in the September 2009 issue of "International Journal of Obesity," indicated that catechins combined with caffeine did have a positive effect on weight loss and weight management. (See Reference 1.)
L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is a naturally produced substance found in red meat and dairy products. It helps generate energy in our cells by allowing the body to move long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, a small part of every cell where fatty acids are oxidized and converted into energy.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid (the synthetic form of lipoic acid, and similar in function) is an antioxidant that works together with enzymes to convert glucose (blood sugar) into energy. It also balances blood sugar levels to avoid spikes in food cravings and energy levels. An animal study reported in the March 2009 "Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry" showed that rats fed a high-fat diet along with lipoic acid developed lower body weight and fat tissue than the control group. The study concludes that lipoic acid might be useful as a therapy for the prevention and maintenance of obesity. (See Reference 2.) Ongoing studies are needed to determine the effect on humans.
Black Tea
Black tea contains caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant that increases fatty acid oxidation, thereby converting fat into energy. Caffeine is also a diuretic and might help to release excess water weight.
Black Pepper
Black pepper contains the alkaloid piperine, which increases the bioavailability of the nutrients in vitamins and supplements, and helps the body to absorb them. In the herbal phentermine mixtures, piperine increases the absorption of the other components.
Biotin
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, helps the body convert sugar into energy. Biotin is also a necessary component in fat synthesis, since it works together with the enzyme acetyl Co-A carboxylase to produce fat, which is necessary for energy.
References
- "International Journal of Obesity"; The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: a meta-analysis; Hursel R, Viechtbauer W, Westerterp-Plantenga MS; September 2009.
- "Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry"; Lipoic acid prevents body weight gain induced by a high fat diet in rats: effects on intestinal sugar transport; Prieto-Hontoria PL, Pérez-Matute P, Fernández-Galilea M, Barber A, Martínez JA, Moreno-Aliaga MJ; March 2009.
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