 This is part 2 of my article on Safe And Effective Natural Weight Loss Aids. Let’s continue with the review of natural weight loss products.
Hoodia gordonii is one of the most popular weight-loss aids currently on the market. Real hoodia is a relatively rare plant, and is therefore a rather expensive supplement. Unfortunately, because of this, many products are being marketed using the hoodia name that contain little or no real hoodia. The real stuff does very effectively suppress appetite and can be a valuable weight loss aid. There are numerous products on the market, some in liquid extract form and others in pill form. I recommend the liquid extracts, but the pill forms seem to work just fine, provided it is a legitimate hoodia supplement. For liquids, I suggest using 30 drops or so 1 to 2 times per day before your afternoon and/or evening meal (this would be for a 20 to 1 extract). For pills, I suggest a dosage of 500 to 1000 mg per day, taken in one or two doses before meals.
Hydroxycitric acid assists in weight loss by stimulating glycogen production and storage, which in turn suppresses appetite. The recommended dosage is 500 to 1000 mg per day split into doses taken 30 to 60 minutes before each meal.
L-Leucine or BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acids) can be used in dosages of 1200 to 3000 mg per day for the purpose of fat burning and muscle building. It is recommended to split the total intake into 2 or more doses per day taken between meals.
Pyruvate supplementation may stimulate weight loss, but it takes a relatively large dose, and not everyone’s GI tract can tolerate it. Short duration heavy use (at dosages of 8,000 to 10,000 mg per day) for up to 1 week at a time may be used to “jump-start†weight loss initially. Lower dosages (2,000 to 6,000 mg per day) are suggested for extended periods of use.
Wu-long tea, is an Asian black tea that also appears to assist in natural weight loss, both through its effects on suppressing insulin release (which enhances fat burning) as well as by suppressing appetite. This is taken as an actual brewed tea, as opposed to a pill form.
5-HTP (5-hydroxy tryptophan) can be used at dosages of 50 to 100 mg per day, preferably divided into two or more doses taken with meals. Asa precaution, 5-HTP should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women. It is also a good idea to be sure that the product has been tested and certified to be free of the “Peak X†contaminant. Discontinue use of 5-HTP immediately if you experience joint or muscle pain or swelling, and/or difficulty breathing and seek medical attention. For the most part, 5-HTP is quite safe, but these warnings are provided as an extra precaution to guard against harm from extremely rare instances of contamination.
7-Keto DHEA appears to increase basal metabolism and stimulate the production of lean muscle, and therefore can promote fat burning. The suggested dosage is 100 to 200 mg per day split into two or more doses taken with meals.
You now have background on the most popular of the safe and effective natural weight loss aids. Hopefully you are now able to better choose which products may enhance your diet and exercise efforts based on your particular needs.
For additional information about weight control and other natural health secrets, please visit my natural remedies blog.