|  |  |  |  | | ||
| |||||||
|  This may seem a pretty strange subject to have here. However, whilst it’s not a disease or ailment, it can lead to nutritional problems and in extreme cases can be associated with anorexia and bulimia – both of which are psychological disorders and require specialised help.
Most people diet because of poor self-image, primarily due to being constantly bombarded with the stereotypical ideas that being fat equates to being lazy, unhealthy, unattractive and weak willed. On the other hand, being thin equates to being healthy, attractive, principled and successful. Unfortunately, research shows that less than 5% of dieters succeed in losing a significant amount of weight and maintaining that loss over a period of time. In fact, 90% regain some, if not all, of the lost weight and 30% actually gain more! This can result in “yo-yo” dieting which may lead to problems normally associated with obesity, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, gall bladder problems and heart problems. Whilst there is a huge industry out there promoting special diets and “fads”, the truth is that the only sensible way to lose weight is to eat less, eat a carefully balanced diet and take more exercise. A moderate weight loss of 2lb per week may not sound much, but over 2 months that’s more than 1 stone and is far more sustainable than some of the rapid weight loss programs on offer. It may be tempting to believe all the hype surrounding some products that lead you to believe you can lose weight without dieting. DON’T. Generally speaking, you gain weight through eating too much of the wrong foods, so it’s only logical that you lose weight through adjusting how you eat, what you eat and when you eat! (Incidentally, the percentage of people who are overweight due to glands or medical problems is very small. The chances of you being in this category are tiny.) Extreme reduction of food intake and rapid weight loss can have the following side effects:
Having said all that, there are supplements available that can assist with weight loss but, as with all supplements, caution is advised and you should take them only with the advice of a health professional – many of them can be harmful if taken in the wrong way or if you are on medication.
Useful supplements:
Amino Acids
l-carnitine supplementation is believed to increase the use of fat for energy and therefore may be beneficial to people looking to lose weight. l-argenine is required in muscle metabolism and helping with weight control since it facilitates the increase of muscle mass, whilst reducing body fat. Chitosan is a product taken from chitin, a complex carbohydrate found in the shells of shrimp, lobster, and crabs. Chitosan is a special fibre that can absorb up to ten times its weight in fat and oils by binding with fat molecules and converting them into a form that the human body does not absorb. It affects the fat before it reaches the stomach - and so prevents it from being metabolised - by becoming a gel that "traps" the fat and is then excreted in the stool. Chromium Picolinate is an essential trace mineral that studies have shown to help reduce body fat, increase lean muscle mass and regulate glucose levels. Chromium is also involved in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein and can also help increase the levels of HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a fatty acid that has been shown in clinical tests to inhibit the body's mechanism for storing fat. Together with a sensible diet and exercise, CLA may help to reduce body fat, help maintain weight loss and retain lean muscle mass, whilst improving muscle tone, improving the way your body utilizes nutrients and assisting the way anti-oxidants work. Green Tea appears to burn fat and increase the metabolism. Recent research has shown that one of the compounds in green tea may alter your body’s use of one of the nervous system’s chemical transmitters to increase the rate of calorie burning. Additionally, green tea is thought to reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, fortify the immune system and even help guard against skin cancer.
Hoodia is a plant grown in South Africa that contains an ingredient known as P57 that acts as an appetite suppressant. However, it has nor been conclusively demonstrated with clinical trials that Hoodia works in this way. Even so, the studies that have been undertaken seem to show that P57 mimicks the effect that glucose has on your brain and so fools you into thinking your body is full.
Kelp is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and, in particular, iodine. Iodine is an essential constituent of thyroid hormones that help to control the metabolic rate of the body. As a slow metabolism is, in many cases, largely responsible for weight gain, a kelp supplement may prove beneficial in the utilisation of food rather than storing it as fat reserves. Anyone suffering from a thyroid imbalance should consult a doctor before taking a kelp supplement. Multi vitamins are an essential part of a weight control program. The enzymes your body uses to turn food into energy rely on vitamins and minerals to perform at their best possible level. As stated elsewhere, our food often contains less than optimum quantities of vitamins and minerals and when on a diet this is exacerbated, hence the need for a good quality, high strength multi-vitamin and mineral supplement.
Spirulina is vegetable plankton that grows naturally in a pollution free environment and contains up to 90% protein. It also contains all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, but has only a few calories so it won’t affect your waistline. It is also a rich source of argenine – an amino acid involved in the release of growth hormones involved in the building of muscle. Many people use Spirulina because of its well-documented ability to produce more energy, help control weight and cleanse internally. Vitamin B Complex brings the B vitamins together in an effective balance to help regulate the body’s metabolism. They are responsible for providing energy to the body by converting carbohydrates to glucose. They are also critically required for the metabolism of both fats and proteins, as well as the health and maintenance of the body's nervous system. The body cannot store B vitamins for long periods as they are water-soluble and must be replenished daily, since any excess is excreted in the urine.
|
