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?
Good weight loss pills work to some degree, but not as significantly as some may think. When ephedra was introduced back in the early 90's, many considered it a miracle pill. I was one of them. The combination of ephedra along with aspirin and caffeine, burned fat like no other compound since.
Unfortunately along with its fat burning strength, ephedra also made your heart race uncontrollably and was blamed for a few deaths as well. Needless to say ephedra has been banned by the FDA and is no longer available in stores.
Is there anything else that works?
Ephedra was a one of a kind product and may never (save for possibly one) be duplicated for its fat burning power.
Green tea and Hoodia are currently two of the most popular weight loss supplements in stores today. There have been mixed reviews on both, but Green tea has more scientific studies to back its claims. Never the less, they both fall far short of the fat burning power of ephedra.
There is however a natural compound that shows great promise in preventing fructose from converting to fat.
What's all the fuss about fructose?
Fructose may be the reason why so many Americans are obese today. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was quoted as saying:
"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 promising natural compound?
This all natural compound is derived from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Heartwood of Acacia. There more common names are Chineses skullcap and "Black catechu".
How does it work?
There are two obesity markers in the blood stream that this natural compound substantially decreases. Chronically obese people have high levels of these two markers. These natural compounds inhibit fat conversion via fructose pathways by down-regulating fat accumulation and up-regulating fat breakdown, thereby decreasing these two obesity markers.
A double blind clinical study was conducted by scientists at JSS Medical Research, Inc., in Montreal, Canada. Participants were between the ages of 40 and 75. This age group normally has the most difficult time losing weight. None of the subjects were given any physical activity or dietary advice.
On average each participant lost an astounding 7% of their bodyweight compared to zero pounds lost for the participants who were not given this natural compound.
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. - 16463
Good weight loss pills work to some degree, but not as significantly as some may think. When ephedra was introduced back in the early 90's, many considered it a miracle pill. I was one of them. The combination of ephedra along with aspirin and caffeine, burned fat like no other compound since.
Unfortunately along with its fat burning strength, ephedra also made your heart race uncontrollably and was blamed for a few deaths as well. Needless to say ephedra has been banned by the FDA and is no longer available in stores.
Is there anything else that works?
Ephedra was a one of a kind product and may never (save for possibly one) be duplicated for its fat burning power.
Green tea and Hoodia are currently two of the most popular weight loss supplements in stores today. There have been mixed reviews on both, but Green tea has more scientific studies to back its claims. Never the less, they both fall far short of the fat burning power of ephedra.
There is however a natural compound that shows great promise in preventing fructose from converting to fat.
What's all the fuss about fructose?
Fructose may be the reason why so many Americans are obese today. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was quoted as saying:
"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 promising natural compound?
This all natural compound is derived from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Heartwood of Acacia. There more common names are Chineses skullcap and "Black catechu".
How does it work?
There are two obesity markers in the blood stream that this natural compound substantially decreases. Chronically obese people have high levels of these two markers. These natural compounds inhibit fat conversion via fructose pathways by down-regulating fat accumulation and up-regulating fat breakdown, thereby decreasing these two obesity markers.
A double blind clinical study was conducted by scientists at JSS Medical Research, Inc., in Montreal, Canada. Participants were between the ages of 40 and 75. This age group normally has the most difficult time losing weight. None of the subjects were given any physical activity or dietary advice.
On average each participant lost an astounding 7% of their bodyweight compared to zero pounds lost for the participants who were not given this natural compound.
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. - 16463
About the Author:
About the 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 offers valuable weight loss tips regarding diet and exercise.
