Weight Loss : A Few Tips
3 min readWeight loss supplements have become more popular in recent years with many people have become concerned about the high cost of prescription medications. In particular, some weight loss supplements have been linked to the development of certain types of cancer. As a result, the FDA has placed several supplements on the black list, including Ephedra, which was banned in the European Union and is only available with a prescription in the US. Nonetheless, other supplements remain legal, although they are not as popular as the former banned weight-loss drugs. Below we’ll discuss the most popular supplements on the market today.
Metabolic Boosters: This type of supplement focuses on boosting your body’s ability to increase its metabolism, which is the process through which excess calories are burned off during your daily activity. It does this by increasing the activity level of neurotransmitters such as noradrenalin and also increases oxygen consumption in the mitochondria of cells. One study found that metabolic boosters produced significant weight loss when combined with an aerobic exercise program.
Ephedra: This is a dietary supplement that was heavily promoted in the early 1990s as a way to burn off large amounts of body fat, as well as reduce the amount of insulin that is produced by the pancreas. However, an investigation into the effectiveness of the drug showed that it had no effect on weight loss, instead increasing the chances of heart attacks and strokes. An investigation into the ingredients found that ephedra contained two key ingredients: caffeine and ephedrine. Caffeine can speed up the oxidation process in the body and increase the metabolic rate, while ephedrine is a stimulant that can produce side effects such as cardiac arrhythmia, seizures and in some instances coma. The majority of ephedra-containing dietary supplements have since been banned in the US.
Green Tea Extract: This is another dietary supplement that has been heavily promoted as a way for people to lose weight. Green tea contains catechin polyphenols, which are able to slow down the process of glycolysis, or the breakdown of carbohydrates. By slowing down the breakdown of carbohydrates, green tea extract is believed to increase the efficiency with which they are metabolized and used by the body. However, there are currently no known long-term side effects.
Diet Haelan: This is a prescription weight loss supplement that contains ingredients such as guarana, stevia and green tea. It has not undergone rigorous clinical testing and therefore cannot be guaranteed to work. Diet Haelan should not be used without the supervision of a physician, especially if you have kidney disease or high blood pressure. It should not be used in combination with ephedra or any other stimulant, and you should avoid using this if you have a history of adverse reactions to diet drugs or any other type of medication.
Raspberry Ketone: This ingredient has recently drawn a lot of attention because of its potential to boost weight loss by reducing the hunger of people who take it. The ingredient contains the chemical staveberry and has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels. Because it is considered relatively safe, it is being used to increase energy and stamina, improve mood and to increase the body’s fat-burning ability. However, the downside to raspberry ketone is that it can potentially cause serious health problems like hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis, if it is taken in excess. So, it is important that you consult your doctor before incorporating this supplement into your weight loss plan.