Your individual metabolism is unique, being controlled by a complex system of chemical and physical processes that convert food into energy. Your metabolism influences all your body's functions, including breathing, thinking, circulation of blood, digestion, conduction of nerve impulses and muscle contraction. You may want to boost your metabolism to lose weight or to gain more energy. There are herbal preparations that may be helpful, but consult your health care provider first, especially if you have a serious medical condition, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism.
Green Tea
All green tea is harvested from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, using the young, unfermented leaves, which undergo less processing than black tea. Green tea is a stimulant which contains powerful antioxidants as well as caffeine. Green tea is a popular ingredient in herbal weight loss products and may help burn fat and boost your metabolism. A December 1999 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" reported that green tea extract was effective in promoting fat oxidation. Discuss taking green tea with your doctor first, as high doses can cause irregular heartbeat, headaches and irritability.
Garlic
Garlic, or Syzgium aromaticum, is a popular, well-known herb used for culinary flavoring and in herbal remedies. Garlic contains allicin and other antioxidants which aid in the removal of harmful free radicals. Garlic is an herbal remedy known for its use for high cholesterol and heart problems, but may also aid carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Although more clinical studies are needed, a 2003 study published in "Science Links Japan" states garlic extract supplementation appeared to increase carbohydrate breakdown and fat burning in rats. Side effects include gas and bloating. Take garlic under your doctor's supervision, especially if your or diabetic or have a blood-clotting disorder.
Bitter Orange
The small, unripened fruit of the mandarin orange tree, Citrus aurantium, is collected for medicinal use. Following the FDA ban on using the herb ephedra, bitter orange peel was added to some weight loss supplements to increase metabolism and help burn fat. However, there are also some safety concerns regarding bitter orange. MayoClinic.com states bitter orange contains synephrine and octopamine, stimulants which are related to the active ingredient in ephedra. These compounds may cause the same negative health effects, including migraines, rapid heartbeat and heart attack. Take bitter orange only under direct supervision of your physician.
Bladderwrack
Bladderwrack is a brown seaweed, Fucus vesiculosus, found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Bladderwrack is often used to treat hypothryroidism due to its high concentration of iodine. It's also used in some dietary supplements to increase metabolism for weight loss. However, its effectiveness and safety for increasing metabolism is not backed up with scientific evidence. Never take bladderwrack unless advised to by your doctor because its high iodine content can interfere with your health. Don't take baldderwrack if you are pregnant, allergic to iodine, have hyperthyroidism or have a blood-clotting disorder.
References
- Nemours Kids' Health: Metabolism
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
- "American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition"; Efficacy of a Green Tea Extract Rich in Catechin Polyphenols and Caffeine in Increasing 24-h Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation in Humans; Abdul G. Dulloo et al.; December 1999
- "Science Links Japan"; Effect of a Garlic Extract on the Carbohydrate and Fat Metabolism of Rats; Mari Saimei; 2003
- MayoClinic.com; "Is Bitter Orange Safe and Effective for Weight Loss?"; Katherine Zeratsky; November 2009
- MedlinePlus: Bladderwrack
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