There are many pills, products and gimmicks on the market that claim to promote weight loss and some even state that no dieting or exercise are required. This includes both plain vinegar and apple cider vinegar that have been used for years to speed weight loss. If you are trying to shed those extra pounds and are considering using apple cider vinegar, it is important to understand what leads to weight gain and what techniques have been proven to take weight off.
Weight Gain Causes
In most cases weight gain occurs when you take in more calories then you burn off no matter what type of food you are eating or what time of day you eat. Weight gain can also occur due to a lack of sleep, be a side effect of a medication or as a response to constant stress. In rare cases weight gain may be due to an underlying medical condition such as Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism, heart disease or a lung disorder, says Medline Plus. If you are gaining weight, it is important to speak with your physician who can test for and treat any underlying medical causes. If your weight gain is due to eating too many calories, you will need to learn to restrict your food intake and exercise to burn calories off.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss
Including apple cider vinegar in your daily diet may help to create feelings of fullness that may help you to eat less. The acid in apple cider vinegar may also cause the stomach to empty out more slowly, which can help you feel full longer. Given this, some dieters drink a small amount right before eating. However, if you do lose weight, it is most likely due to the restriction in food intake and not the apple cider vinegar, reports MayoClinic.com.
Safety
While apple cider vinegar is considered generally safe it is highly acidic and it can cause throat irritation if swallowed on a regular basis. Apple cider vinegar can also interact with many other herbal, over-the-counter and prescription medications. For some, taking apple cider vinegar can cause potassium levels to drop too low, notes MayoClinic.com. If you are considering using this product for weight loss, make sure to talk to your doctor first.
Considerations
The only sure fire way to both lose weight and keep it off, is to make a lifelong commitment to healthy lifestyle changes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You must determine the underlying behavioral habits that trigger over eating and find healthy ways to deal with them. Those who are most successful at losing weight and keeping the weight off combine calorie restriction with regular exercise. A safe and realistic amount of weight loss is about 1 to 2 lbs. per week unless you are under a doctor's care.
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