Weight loss pills can be tempting. They lead you to believe that you will lose weight quickly without changing much of your current diet or exercise routine. Some also claim to target problem areas, like a double chin, cellulite, or muffin top.
And because more than 70% of the US population is overweight, many Americans are searching for new ways to slim down.
However, many weight loss products have been linked to severe adverse health effects. Others simply do not work - or worse yet, make you gain back more weight after you stop taking them.
Luckily, there are several natural ingredients that may help you slim down without risking your health. Read on to learn more.
Weight loss pills include over-the-counter and prescription medications designed to help you lose weight. They work by reducing appetite or food cravings and reducing the amount of fat you absorb from foods.
The FDA has currently approved five prescription weight loss pills. These include orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, and semaglutide.
Side effects of these drugs may include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, intestinal gas, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, trouble sleeping, a tingling sensation, headaches, increased blood pressure, liver damage, increased heart rate, depression, suicidal thoughts, and more.
In addition to weight loss pills, there are plenty of other products on the market that claim to make you skinny or more beautiful. Cosmeceuticals are products that benefit skin health, beauty, and weight. These include lotions or creams containing active ingredients, such as topically applied weight loss gels, creams, and lotions.
With the popularity of weight loss products booming, beauty companies have jumped on the bandwagon to produce these products.
They claim to slim, sculpt and tone problematic areas of the body, such as the tummy, thighs, and buttocks. However, experts warn that there are certain risks associated with using these products.
As stated on the website of the United States Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Advice (FTC), products claiming that anyone can lose weight without changing their habits simply aren't true. Some of them are probably harmful. Dishonest advertising can appear as false promises and fake online stories.
According to the FTC, claims on weight loss products are false if they make the following promises:
The FTC also advises everyone to be careful of fake websites, suspiciously glowing online reviews, and altered images on the internet.
The government agency further reminds consumers that miraculous permanent weight loss without a healthy diet and exercise is just not possible.
Indeed, several studies have confirmed that weight loss supplements have limited benefits. When compared to exercising or a combination of dieting and exercising, the supplements are proven to be less effective.
Experts have weighed in on the phenomenon of body sculpting or slimming products.
According to a 2015 review on body sculpting cosmetics, most available products were designed to mask issues related to weight gain, such as double chins, fatty necks, and flabby thighs.
Despite this drawback, the review was optimistic about the novel approaches to anti-cellulite and nature-based products.
Several natural ingredients reportedly possess safe and plausible fat-burning properties. If you're interested in supporting your weight loss journey, you might want to consider formulations containing these ingredients:
Oats are relatively low in calories and high in protein and fiber. This can keep you full for longer, which helps control your cravings for junk food. A diet with oats is a great option for people with diabetes. A 2016 research study found that both short-term and long-term consumption of oats can control blood sugar levels and reduce weight.
TCM sees oats as a neutral to warm ingredient with a sweet taste. Oats can tonify qi(vital energy) and blood, circulate qi, and calm the spirit.
All these benefits are good for weight loss because fat accumulation is due to excess phlegm and Dampness, as well as Deficiencies in Qiand Blood. "Managing these imbalances will allow your body to metabolize food and wastes properly, which enables you to lose excess weight," explains TCM Physician Anita Pee.
Caffeine is an ingredient used to prevent excessive fat cells from multiplying. It also stimulates their degradation by increasing blood levels of the hormone epinephrine.
A 2017 study discovered that caffeine reduces the size and number of fat cells through its thermogenesis effect.
Sipping on green tea has been shown to help reduce body weight. It also provides a host of other benefits, such as boosting immunity and supporting digestion.
A plant native to the Amazon, guarana is another well-known natural ingredient that may help with weight loss. It has a rich source of caffeine that can increase metabolism.
A 2019 study revealed that guarana has the potential to be a therapeutic agent to treat obesity. The study said the ingredient works by inducing brown fat activation.
A natural way to tighten the skin is to build more collagen, and one of the ingredients that can achieve this is bioactive keratin.
Derived from sheep wool, bioactive keratin has been shown to stimulate the expression of collagen in humans. Research suggests that it contributes to effective wound healing and improves wrinkles.
Collagen may also help reduce the appearance of cellulite. For best results, consider taking a collagen supplement, eating a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, and performing exercise regularly.
Niacin or vitamin B3 may also help support a healthy weight. A 2013 study published for the National Center for Biotechnology Information learned that niacin's weight-loss properties rest on its ability to increase adiponectin. This is an anti-inflammatory hormone that is released by fatty tissues.
Another natural ingredient linked to weight loss would be herbs. Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) believes that obesity is a symptom of an underlying health condition, rather than the main problem itself.
When treating weight gain, TCM physicians will first identify an individual's issue before recommending the ideal herbs. Obesity is mostly caused by a dysfunction in the Liver, Spleen, and stomach. If the issue lies in the stomach, for example, suggested products will be those that promote digestion.
Some ingredients used in TCM claim to be able to break down fat and tone skin. These include natural red pepper oil, natural ginger extract, seaweed essence, and cranberry essence.
They're supposed to be able to break down and burn excess fat, promote blood and lymph circulation, and accelerate metabolism.
You may also add an herbal slimming essence drink to your diet. This is an easy way to activate fat burning, reduce appetite, and boost metabolism.
Acupuncture is another helpful tool to help you lose weight naturally.
Many studies have shown that acupuncture together with other positive lifestyle changes can significantly reduce excess weight. While the mechanisms are still being studied, many researchers believe one of the ways in which acupuncture works is by optimising the satiety centre in the brain. It effectively prevents you from overeating, regulates hormonal levels and improves the body's metabolism, thus increasing the rate of calorie-burning.
Here are two acupoints you can use to support healthy weight:
Near the medial aspect of the lower leg, in the depression of the lower border
of the medial condyle of the tibia.
Like most things in life, losing weight requires effort. If you ever see weight loss products claiming they can change your life without having to alter your diet and exercise, you may want to steer clear.
However, the natural remedies listed in this article may help give you better results than diet and exercise alone. Be sure to consult your doctor first, especially if you are currently taking prescription medications.
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