Herbs for Weight Loss by AskDocWeb

Herbs for Weight Loss

Weight Loss is a major goal for many Americans today. Approximately two-thirds of American adults are considered overweight while one in three are seriously overweight or obese.

Obesity is defined as having an abnormal amount of body fat; being 20 to 30 percent over the ideal weight for your age, sex and height. To find out if you are obese click here.

Aside from the cosmetic concern, being overweight increases the risk factors for serious medical conditions such as these:

  • high blood pressure
  • diabetes
  • kidney troubles
  • prostate enlargement
  • female infertility
  • uterine fibroids
  • pregnancy disorders
  • gallstones
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • stroke
  • cancer
  • Excessive body weight also puts great stress on your joints increasing the chances of arthritis.

Everyone’s metabolism (the rate at which the body burns calories) is different and is influenced by many factors, including genetics. Regularly eating even a few more calories than your body needs can lead to weight gain. For example, if you eat just 100 extra calories a day you’ll gain about a pound a month (a pound of body fat equals 3,500 calories).

Some experts think a sedentary lifestyle influences weight gain even more than eating too many calories. Exercise burns calories and builds muscle. And the more muscle mass you have, the more of calories your body burns, even at rest.

Aggressive dieting and exercising will cause weight loss but herbs can also help. Some herbs can aid in raising metabolism or suppressing the appetite. But at the same time, you should also be wary of their side effects, especially if you are taking prescription medication. Always check with your healthcare provider first.

  • Aloe Vera improves digestion and cleans the digestive tract.
  • Astralgus increases energy and improves nutrient absorption.
  • Bee pollen is an herbal product that stimulates metabolism and quickly satisfies craving for sweets.
  • Bladderwrack contains iodine, which helps enhance thyroid function.
  • Brewer’s yeast reduces various cravings for food and drink.
  • Cayenne reduces hunger after meals and increases calorie burning by the body.
  • Chitosan slows the absorption of fat in the intestine.
  • Chromium helps the body use fat for energy and builds muscles.
  • Dandelion flushes out kidneys, boosts metabolism, and off-sets cravings for sweets.
  • Ephedra, also known as ma huang, suppresses appetite.
  • Fennel suppresses appetite and removes mucus and fat from the intestinal tract.
  • Garcinia cambogia quells hunger pangs.
  • Green tea, increases energy expenditure and enhances the ability of the body to burn fat.
  • Guaraná contains caffeine which curbs appetite, increases metabolic rates and has a mild diuretic effect.
  • Guggul lowers cholesterol and promotes weight control.
  • Kelp boosts metabolism.
  • Licorice, sustains regulated blood sugar level and reduces cravings for sweets.
  • Malabar tamarind helps prevents the production of fat and suppresses appetite.
  • Siberian ginseng, stabilizes blood sugar and reduces cravings for sweets.
  • Yohimbe, raises metabolic rates, reduces appetite and increases fat burning.

These herbs are not recommended to replace a regular diet but when added to meals may make losing weight a little easier. Good luck!

For additional help with dieting, read Tips to Conquer Cravings.