Herbs for Obesity

Obesity is one of the major health concerns that plague America 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 age, sex and height.
Aside from being a major cosmetic concern, obesity is a great risk factor for
serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney
troubles, prostate enlargement, female infertility, uterine fibroids, pregnancy
disorders, gallstones, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and cancer. Excessive
body weight also puts great stress on 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. By consuming
only 100 extra calories a day, for example, you'll gain a pound in approximately
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 greater number of calories your body burns at rest.
Aside from aggressive dieting and exercising, some herbal products may aid in
raising metabolism or suppressing the appetite. But at the same time, you should
also be wary of their side effects. Always check with your health care provider
first.
• Aloe Vera, improves digestion and cleans the digestive tract
• Astralgus, increases energy and improves nutrient absorption
• Bee pollen, stimulates metabolism and quickly satisfy 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
• Guaran6, 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
• Yohimbine, raises metabolic rates, reduces appetite and increases fat burning
These herbs are not recommended to replace regular diet. Maintaining a healthy
lifestyle is key.