With the looming obesity epidemic there is great need for overweight Americans to lose those excess pounds. By being healthy they will not only literally lighten their load but also have a healthier lifestyle and improve their overall well-being.
There is a long list of dieting options available. They include exercise programs, exercise machines, dietary supplements, dietary food and drinks, diet pills and even soaps which claim to help you lose pounds while you bathe albeit dubious.
Another available and viable option to shed off those unwanted pounds is to go herbal. Herbal weight loss products have been in great demand for people who want to lose weight the natural way. Unfortunately when you take herbal supplements to lose weight, you will have to wait for a longer time for the results. These products have subtle effects of medicines which came from plants and natural herbs.
There are a lot of herbal weight loss products available particularly on the internet. You can check out the Internet and you will find lots of herbal weight loss pills and products.
Be careful though, as there are some products which claim to be safe and natural because they are herbal, but some actually have side effects because of non-extensive research on the effects of these products.
Below are some ingredients which make up some herbal weight loss products that you should watch out for. They are known to have some level of harmful effects to your health;
The first is senna leaf. This is considered as a herbal laxative. It is a main ingredient in some weight loss teas, and it works by stimulating the colon. The downside effect of this herb is dehydration. It can also lead to colon problems but more commonly it can become addictive. Some people, when addicted, are unable to perform bowel movements without it, so watch out.
Another herbal ingredient to watch is chromium picolinate. This is a synthetic compound found in herbal weight loss products. Chromium is a nutrient used by the body to regulate blood-sugar level. But this ingredient, when taken in high doses, may cause damage in the chromosomes. It is also known to lead to dehydration.
St. John's wort is a fairly common herbal ingredient. This supplement is believed to increases the production of a chemical in the brain. When not used properly, it may lead to sensitivity of the eye and skin, mild distress of the digestive tract, a feeling of being tired and itching.
Evidently though a lot of herbal products claim to be safe and natural you still need to approach cautiously. It is prudent to scrutinize the ingredients and research about the effects of the product itself before going for these herbal dietary pills.
However this does not mean that herbal weight loss is necessarily a complete waste of time. And you can go herbal in a variety of ways. And one of this ways is organic foods. In Wichita, Kansas, organic food has found its way to more homes and restaurants. Organic food devotees believe that consuming organic goodies help their bodies as well as the environment.
This could also be an option for weight watchers, as organic food is known to be kinder to your weight than chemically-processed food products. A person who buys organically raised eggs and vegetables claim to be healthier, and they are not spending money on doctors and prescriptions as these keep them healthier and away from the hospital.
Green Tea is another way. Studies show that intake of green tea, or green tea extracts burns extra calories. Also, green tea with caffeine has been shown to increase fat burning by up to 40% thereby reducing body fat.
This is one good option for those who want to lose weight as it is backed by quite a number of studies. In one study, people who took green tea were found to lose 2 to 3 times more weight than those who did not drink green tea. These results show that green tea is a natural product for the treatment of obesity.
Thus, it also makes for a healthier dietary option, not to mention the good effects that it has on the body as compared to caffeine. A cup of tea gives an immediate energy lift without the side effects of caffeine.
Caffeine found in coffee provides an energy boost and is known to increase fat burning. Caffeine also provides a likelihood to be active, which in turn increases your rate of calorie burn. Unfortunately this one would fall among herbal weight loss ingredients that one should be cautious off. For some people caffeine may increase heart rate unhealthily.
Another intriguing herbal ingredient is the immortality herb. Unfortunately the herb does not make one immortal. This herb, whose scientific name is Gymnostemna Pentaphyllum, is known to have the significant health benefits. They include increasing healthy blood flow, reduces artery blocks, aids healthy blood pressure and increases the rate of fat burning. The last quality is what is sort after in weight loss products.
Finally there is apple cider vinegar. There are pills and food supplements whose active ingredient is apple cider vinegar. Its health benefits include weight loss, improved cholesterol level, improved high blood pressure and helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis.
