 Everyone has heard that the only way to lose fat is
to eat less, workout and build muscle. With summer rapidly approaching, some wishing to accelerate the weight
loss process may turn to mineral and herbal supplements that purport to burn fat. Check the facts about some of these products
before the only thing losing weight is your wallet:
Chitosan
Theory: Chitosan is advertised
as a ‘fat blocker’ meaning that it binds itself to fat and prevents the fat
from being absorbed. Chitosan is derived
from the shells of crabs and other shellfish.
People who are allergic to shellfish may not be aware that Chitosan is
formulated with shellfish and may have severe or life-threatening reactions
upon consumption.
Fact: Chitosan binds to fat in lab tests, however, it doesn't work so
well in people.
Research Results: In research, Xenical (orlistat), a prescription drug
with an effect similar to the one ascribed to chitosan, actually blocked
absorption of about 30% of fat in a meal; by comparison, chitosan allowed
all the fat in a meal to be absorbed.
Chromium Picolinate
Theory: Chromium
Picolinate supplements are effective in promoting weight loss through
regulation of blood sugar and increasing the metabolic rate. Fact: Chromium is an essential
nutrient that helps regulate blood sugar, which in turn affects appetite.
Weight loss claims were inevitable.
Research Results: There is no evidence
that chromium picolinate supplements perform as manufacturers and distributors
claim by promoting weight loss. There is some evidence that these supplements
may harm cells. Diabetics should take only on medical advice. UC Berkeley reports that no irrefutable
evidence exists backing claims that chromium picolinate is an effective
weight-loss aid, a muscle-builder, or a way to reduce blood cholesterol
levels. Additionally, research has
shown that taking more than 200mcg a day of chromium increases your risk of
headaches, sleep disturbances and mood swings.
Dieter's Tea Theory: Specially formulated herbal
beverages stimulate the metabolism and aid in weight loss.
Fact: Most dieters' teas contain herbal laxatives like senna, cascara
sagrada and aloe. Research Results: Any temporary weight loss comes from
diarrhea and dehydration, which can become serious and cause weakness and
severe abdominal pains. Dieter's teas
are really just laxatives with potentially serious side effects. Avoid these products for obvious reasons.
Glucomannon
Theory: Like
Chitosan, this supplement claims to ‘trap’ fat which allows it to be flushed
from the body by drinking water.
Fact: Glucomannon is a dietary fiber extracted from the konjac root.
Unlike much of the fiber we get from food, glucomannon doesn't pass through the
gut unchanged. It's metabolized by the bacteria that live in the GI tract.
There is good evidence in animals that it might help reduce cholesterol levels.
Research Results: Glucomannon appears to have only a laxative effect
and has no demonstrated value in producing true weight loss.
Green Tea & Green Tea Supplements
Theory: Green tea's antioxidant
polyphenols, especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), have health potential.
Some evidence suggests EGCG plus the tea's caffeine boosts the rate at which we
burn calories, especially fat.
Fact: There is no solid evidence that Green Tea will help weight loss,
but drinking green tea has other benefits.
Research Results: No one has shown that drinking a few cups a day helps
with weight loss. Some proponents
recommend green-tea supplements with 300 - 400 mg/day standardized to contain
80% polyphenols. Chances are it's safe, but there is no scientific support for
this recommendation.
HCA
Theory: HCA burns excess
calories.
Fact: HCA comes from an Indian fruit (garcinia cambogia). In animals,
HCA reduces appetite and leads to weight loss.
The Evidence: Studies in humans find that it doesn't burn excess
calories. A recent well-done study found that HCA was no better at melting away
fat than a sugar pill. It's not clear that the compound even retains its
activity after it is extracted from the fruit, or whether we can absorb it.
Although HCA seemed to cause no problems in humans who took it for several
months, when drug giant Hoffmann-La Roche tested HCA as a potential weight-loss
drug in the 1980s, it found it caused serious side effects in animals -
including a shrinking of testicles in males.
No one can yet vouch for HCA's safety.
Pyruvate
Theory: Pyruvate helps burn
calories.
Fact: Pyruvate helps convert blood sugar to energy. Our cells produce
pyruvate, and it is also found in food.
Research Results: In two
studies, people who ate only 500 to 1,000 calories per day - an unhealthy
calorie level - and taking more than 20g per day of pyruvate lost a bit more
weight than dieters who took a placebo.
A more recent study put people on a more reasonable 2,000-calorie diet along
with 6g of pyruvate and had them do regular exercise. Over six weeks, they lost
an average of 2.6 pounds more than those taking a placebo.
Ó
2003 Femalemuscle.com
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