In the United States obesity is reaching epidemic levels. More and more people are turning to weight loss pills in hopes of shedding those unsightly pounds. With the New Year right around the corner, stores will have their shelves well stocked with weight loss pills in anticipation of the after holiday rush. But do weight loss pills really work?
Weight loss pills do work, but not to the degree most people think. Back in the early 1990's when ephedra was first introduced, it was touted as a miracle weight loss supplement and to some, including myself it was. When you combined ephedra with caffeine and aspirin, this "stack" burned fat like butter on a hot stove.
Unfortunately along with its fat burning power, there was a long list of side effects as well. Many could not handle the powerful stimulant affects of this compound and it was blamed for many deaths. Whether or not this was true, the writing was on the wall and ephedra was banned in the United States and is no longer available.
Are there any other products that work?
Ephedra was a one of a kind product and may never (save for possibly one) be duplicated for its fat burning power.
Currently Hoodia and Green tea are probably two of the more well known weight loss products on the market. Hoodia works as an appetite suppressant, while Green tea works through a process called thermogenisis (fat burning). Neither is as effective as ephedra for weight loss.
There is however a promising natural substance that takes a different approach to weight loss by preventing fructose from converting to fat.
Why the concern about fructose?
Fructose may be the biggest cause of obesity in the United States today. Here's a quote from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:
"evidence that a marked increase in the use of HFCS, and therefore in total fructose consumption, preceded the obesity epidemic and may be an important contributor to this epidemic in the United States."
Over the last thirty years, there has been a 40% drop in the use of cane sugar and a 300% increase in the use of high fructose corn syrups! If you look at the label of most products on supermarket shelves today, you will likely find high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient.
What is this new natural substance?
This all natural compound is commonly referred to as Chinese skullcap and "Black catechu", which are derived from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Heartwood of Acacia.
What does this new substance do?
This natural compound works by substantially decreasing two key obesity markers TNFa and IL-6 circulating in the blood stream. These two cytokines are expressed in high levels in the chronically obese. These compounds have been shown to significantly decrease both of these obesity markers by inhibiting fat conversion from fructose pathways and down-regulating PPAR gene expression (fat accumulation) and up-regulating PPARa (fat breakdown) protein. To a lesser extent there is also a moderate down-regulation of lipoprotein lipase (which breaks down fat) on the gene level.
Subjects between the ages of 40 and 75 participated in an independent double blind scientific study conducted by scientists at JSS Medical Research, Inc., in Montreal, Canada. None of the participants were given any advice on dieting or exercise and typically this age group has the most difficult time at losing weight.
The results were quite impressive. Subjects taking the natural compound lost an average of 7 percent of their bodyweight, while those not taking the natural compound did not lose any weight at all.
Their results would likely have been much better if they combined an exercise program along with a sensible diet.
Although these compounds show a lot of promise (especially if you are addicted to sweets) and may very well hold the key to the obesity epidemic, it should not replace a healthy diet and sensible exercise program. - 15485
Weight loss pills do work, but not to the degree most people think. Back in the early 1990's when ephedra was first introduced, it was touted as a miracle weight loss supplement and to some, including myself it was. When you combined ephedra with caffeine and aspirin, this "stack" burned fat like butter on a hot stove.
Unfortunately along with its fat burning power, there was a long list of side effects as well. Many could not handle the powerful stimulant affects of this compound and it was blamed for many deaths. Whether or not this was true, the writing was on the wall and ephedra was banned in the United States and is no longer available.
Are there any other products that work?
Ephedra was a one of a kind product and may never (save for possibly one) be duplicated for its fat burning power.
Currently Hoodia and Green tea are probably two of the more well known weight loss products on the market. Hoodia works as an appetite suppressant, while Green tea works through a process called thermogenisis (fat burning). Neither is as effective as ephedra for weight loss.
There is however a promising natural substance that takes a different approach to weight loss by preventing fructose from converting to fat.
Why the concern about fructose?
Fructose may be the biggest cause of obesity in the United States today. Here's a quote from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:
"evidence that a marked increase in the use of HFCS, and therefore in total fructose consumption, preceded the obesity epidemic and may be an important contributor to this epidemic in the United States."
Over the last thirty years, there has been a 40% drop in the use of cane sugar and a 300% increase in the use of high fructose corn syrups! If you look at the label of most products on supermarket shelves today, you will likely find high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient.
What is this new natural substance?
This all natural compound is commonly referred to as Chinese skullcap and "Black catechu", which are derived from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Heartwood of Acacia.
What does this new substance do?
This natural compound works by substantially decreasing two key obesity markers TNFa and IL-6 circulating in the blood stream. These two cytokines are expressed in high levels in the chronically obese. These compounds have been shown to significantly decrease both of these obesity markers by inhibiting fat conversion from fructose pathways and down-regulating PPAR gene expression (fat accumulation) and up-regulating PPARa (fat breakdown) protein. To a lesser extent there is also a moderate down-regulation of lipoprotein lipase (which breaks down fat) on the gene level.
Subjects between the ages of 40 and 75 participated in an independent double blind scientific study conducted by scientists at JSS Medical Research, Inc., in Montreal, Canada. None of the participants were given any advice on dieting or exercise and typically this age group has the most difficult time at losing weight.
The results were quite impressive. Subjects taking the natural compound lost an average of 7 percent of their bodyweight, while those not taking the natural compound did not lose any weight at all.
Their results would likely have been much better if they combined an exercise program along with a sensible diet.
Although these compounds show a lot of promise (especially if you are addicted to sweets) and may very well hold the key to the obesity epidemic, it should not replace a healthy diet and sensible exercise program. - 15485
About the Author:
Author Deen Dragonovich has over 3 decades in health and fitness and has researched fructose blockers along with weight loss pills for several years. He also delivers valuable weight loss help with diet and exercise.
