Phytotherapy: healing with plants #2

5 Natural Approved Products to Lose Weight :

"Appetite suppressants", "fat-burning", draining, etc. Many natural products dedicated to weight loss have appeared on the market in recent years. With a single click, they can be obtained as a dietary supplement. In 2009, the CNRS revealed that more than 2/3 of them contained inactive components or were overdosed. Some even banned by health authorities. What Are Natural Products Effectively For Losing Weight? PasseportSanté has chosen to provide you with five, sources and modes of action to support it.

1-Green tea, natural fat burning :

Of Chinese origin, green tea is known since antiquity and is part of the "fat burning". This general term, which most often characterizes plants containing caffeine, refers to an increase in lipolysis (= degradation of some fatty acids) and thermogenesis (= heat production of the body) 1.

How it works ?

Green tea leaves contain both caffeine, between 3 and 4%, and catechins, two substances that increase the concentrations of noradrenaline in the body. However, this compound increases energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Studies on rats have demonstrated the anti-obesity effect of green tea2. Those performed on man are less categorical but seem to be still beneficial on weight loss. A meta-analysis, carried out on 11 studies, showed that green tea catechins had an interest in weight loss and maintenance3, especially during moderate physical activity.

How to consume green tea?

Green tea is mainly used as an infusion. However, it can be found in the form of pellets or capsules. A cup of green tea contains on average 50 mg of caffeine4. It is recommended not to exceed 3 to 4 cups of green tea, which allows not to go beyond the recommended daily recommended doses of 300 mg of caffeine. Due to a suspicion of hepatotoxic effect, especially if green tea is consumed on an empty stomach, the FDA recommends consumption by eating.

2-Guarana, an accelerator of energy expenditure :

Guarana seed, a shrub originating from Brazilian Amazonia, is also used as a supplement in certain slimming diets. It is part, like green tea, "fat burns" which promote the degradation of these and the increase in metabolic activity.

How it works ?

Guarana owes its effects to its high caffeine content. In addition to increased vigilance and an accelerated heart rate, caffeine would be responsible for increased cellular metabolism and therefore loss of fat. Researchers have shown that the consumption of this compound increases energy expenditure and has an impact on the sensation of satiety1-2-3.

How to consume guarana?

Guarana can be consumed in the form of a drink, fluid extract, capsules or effervescent tablets. For an adult, the dose of guarana is 1 to 3 g maximum powder per day. It should not be used in hypertensive patients or children under 16 years of age. On the other hand, the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) does not recommend its use to pregnant and lactating women.

3-The apple, a health food par excellence :

Apple is the ultimate fruit of health. Its pectins are known to regulate intestinal transit but are also used in food supplements, such as "appetite suppressant" 1.

How do pectins work?

The appetite suppressant activity of the apple is related to its pectin content, vegetable dietary fiber. Once ingested, these fibers are capable of absorbing large quantities of water to form a viscous gel that increases the volume of the food bolus (= chewed food mixed with saliva), reduce the activity of digestive enzymes And thus to decrease the sensation of hunger2-3. Two studies in rats found that the association of apple pectins and polyphenols decreased blood triglyceride levels and exerted anti-obesity activity4-5. On the other hand, few clinical studies on humans have been devoted to the question. One had a conclusive effect, but only 35 subjects6.

How to consume the apple to promote weight loss?

AFSSA has not proposed maximum allowable doses on apple consumption. For optimal efficacy, the intake of pectins should be done before eating and drinking plenty of water.

4-Konjac, an appetite suppressant with a high absorption capacity :

Running in Asian cuisine, konjac is used in the treatment of mild constipation but also as an "appetite suppressant" to help with weight loss. It is a perennial plant composed of leaves in umbrella, but only tubers are used.

How it works ?

The "konjac" appetite suppressant activity is linked to its high glucomannan content. These are dietary fibers which possess a great power of absorption of the water thanks to their important gelling properties. One gram of these fibers can absorb up to 200 ml of water! Consequently, the konjac causes an increase in the viscosity of the food bolus, and therefore a slowing down of the gastric emptying. This results in a greater sensation of satiety and less absorption of sugars and fats, which are found in the stools. No study, however, has yet proved a real effect on weight loss in practice3.

How to take the konjac?

In order to avoid any problem of obstruction, it is preferable to consume it in the form of capsules, because they allow a disintegration of their contents only from the stomach. In addition, it is recommended to drink about 200 ml of water simultaneously with ingestion of the capsule. Recommended doses are about 1 g, one hour before each meal.

5-Nopal and its hypoglycaemic properties :

Plant that can reach 3 meters in height, Nopal is frequently used as a complement in dieting. It is its cladodes, a sort of leaf-like branch, which are used in medicine because they contain large quantities of polysaccharides.

How it works ?

The cladodes of the nopal have diuretic and hypoglycemic properties. This means they promote urinary secretion and decrease the storage of triglycerides in adipose tissue. A study in rats showed that an extract of cladodes had a hypoglycemic effect at very low doses (6 mg / kg) 1. Nevertheless, no weight loss study has yet been demonstrated. By contrast, its high dietary fiber allows it to be used as an appetite suppressant, such as konjac or apple.

How to consume nopal?

The recommended dose is 3 g dry plant per day2. In Mexico, nopal cladodes have been consumed for years. Therefore, in view of the decline in the intake of this plant, it can be considered that there is no toxicity.

Warning

The use of natural diuretic products is hardly justified in obesity: the weight lost corresponds to water and not to fat. Moreover, it is important to remember that these natural compounds are not miracle products! They are only aids to weight loss. To maintain a healthy weight, healthy, balanced eating habits and regular sports are required. Finally, it should be borne in mind that plants contain active components: the recommended doses must be respected. If in doubt, it is important to talk to a doctor or pharmacist before treatment.