Unexpected Health Benefits From Weight Loss

Why lose weight? Some people may want to lose weight in order to get a fit and trim body. Perhaps you’re getting ready for a special occasion, like your wedding, and you want to look your best in your wedding gown. Others lose weight grudgingly, maybe under pressure from a parent, spouse or doctor. All of these are fine, valid reasons. But weight loss has other benefits many of us may not be aware of. Let’s go through some unexpected benefits of weight loss:

You sleep better.
Sleep apnea, a dangerous disorder that involves pauses in breathing during sleep, can be reduced or remedied through weight loss. Studies show that difficulties associated with sleep apnea were cut in half by weight loss. So, maybe it’s not your pillow or allergies that are to blame, maybe you just need to lose weight.

Your memory improves.
A study on patients who trimmed down after weight loss surgery also showed significant improvement in memory. Could it be that the reason you can’t remember where you put your keys is because you need to lose weight?

Your Type 2 diabetes is reversed.
Type 2 diabetes occurs in adulthood and is closely related to obesity. It is said to have no cure. And yet, a recent study demonstrated how Type 2 diabetes sufferers successfully reversed their symptoms because of weight loss. This is an exciting breakthrough as it brings hope for many patients with type 2 diabetes.

You bid goodbye to asthma and allergies.
Although seemingly unrelated, being overweight has a lot to do with having asthma and allergies. Obesity taxes both the adrenal and respiratory systems of the body. This is why being overweight predisposes you to more allergic and asthma attacks. It’s possible that your sniffles, itches and wheezes will go away once you lose weight.

You get relief from arthritis.
Arthritis sufferers who lost weight were found to experience less pain in their knees than those who didn’t lose weight. Being overweight can increase arthritic inflammation. The extra weight that your body carries when you are overweight can put more stress on your joints. It’s time to “lighten up” and ease your pain.

You feel less pain in your feet.
Foot pain can be uncomfortable or annoying at the least and debilitating at the most. If you find yourself complaining of foot pain more often, your body might be telling you to lose weight.

You’re happier.
Too large a store of fat in the body can interfere with your hormones and cause problems like PMS and depression. Don’t be surprised if you’re overweight and you find yourself to be sad, irritable and unreasonable very often. Some hormonal imbalances indicate the need for you to trim down.

You’re more beautiful.
Being overweight can make you look pale and give you dark circles under the eyes. This is because of poor nutrition and over-consumption of sugars and carbohydrates that wreak havoc especially on your skin. The proper nutrition required to lose weight will bring back the glow in your skin as well as improve your mood and well-being. If you lose weight, you’ll soon be happy, fit and glowing!

Reasons Why the Weight Just Won’t Shift

Times have changed. In the past, losing weight was simply about making sure you burned more calories than you consumed. Nowadays, losing weight is more complicated than it used to be. We are 10% heavier than the past generations, despite the fact that our calorie intake is no different than theirs was. Let’s examine some of the reasons why losing weight seems more difficult than ever.

It’s because you’re obese

Okay, this is why you want to lose weight in the first place, you might say. The fact is that about two-thirds of the American population, ages 25 and over, are obese and the problem has been escalating for the past two decades. A person with a body mass index (BMI) equal to 30 or higher is obese. Obesity is now plaguing populations of all income levels. Unfortunately, the proliferation of foods that are high in fat and our sedentary lifestyles is causing this troubling trend. To add to this, being obese makes is difficult to shed pounds. Studies on obese people have shown even a 5% loss in weight to be extremely difficult to achieve. Those who do lose weight regain them in a short period of time. Frustrating, isn’t it? But don’t fret, by setting small goals, weight-loss is attainable. Baby steps, if you might say. Each tiny triumph will egg you on to another and help you stick to your program.

You exercise too much!

In general, our lifestyles have become more sedentary, so we push ourselves to exercise.  You have more pounds to shed and you need to burn more calories, so it only makes sense to exercise harder, right?  But spending extra hours working out may not exactly be the answer. Many people tend to over-exert themselves at the gym, only to overeat afterwards. The thing to remember is that exercise and a sensible diet always go hand-in-hand.  Exercise coupled with proper food choices is what you need for steady weight loss.

You can’t lose weight because you’re on a diet again

This may seem like a contradiction. But think about it. How many times have you gone on a diet and failed? How many different kinds of diets have you tried? With so many fad diets being promoted on TV and the Internet, you may be jumping from one to another.

The wrong diet and depriving yourself of important nutrients will only make you even hungrier.  A balanced diet with the right amount of exercise is still the tried and tested way to achieve success in shedding pounds.

Blame it on plastic

Industrial chemicals are hard to avoid because they’re in food containers, toys, dyes, metal cans, and even your dental filling. Bisphenol A or BPA  is a hormone disruptor that has been blamed for birth defects, reproductive problems, cancer and obesity. Being exposed to BPA may be one reason why you’re gaining weight even though you’re not overeating. Experts recommend staying away from plastic and plastic-lined containers. Store food in glass bottles or jars, put your water in stainless steel bottles, and bring recyclable eco-bags when you do your marketing. Minimizing your exposure to weight-inducing chemicals can contribute, not only to weight loss, but to overall health management as well.

Forskolin & Other Natural Asthma Remedies

Asthma involves the narrowing or constriction of the bronchial passages. The lungs of a person with asthma are inflamed and filled with sticky mucus. As a result, patients with asthma suffer a number or symptoms, particularly wheezing, coughing and labored breathing. The asthma sufferer can experience much anguish from these symptoms and may sometimes feel that there is no hope of recovery. With proper management and treatment, however, asthma sufferers can find long-term relief. There are also natural ways and substances that can greatly assist the asthma sufferer.

If you have asthma, you must remember that there are certain triggers that you should avoid. To better handle your condition, be aware that exercise, cold air, allergens, and strong emotions can cause an asthma attack. Allergens can vary from animal dander, smoke, dust mites, pollens, and pollutants.

Breathing exercises can also help patients avoid and manage asthma attacks. Breathing dry cold air through the mouth triggers asthma, so exercises that encourage shallow, controlled breathing can help reduce the symptoms. Breathing exercises help asthma sufferers to relax and breathe more efficiently. Aside from avoiding triggers and breathing exercises, there are natural remedies for alleviating asthma. Forskolin is an herb related to mint that is used to treat asthma. Used for centuries in India, Ayurvedic medicine recommends its use for various ailments like glaucoma, allergies, asthma, high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease. The plant’s scientific name is Coleus forskohlii, and the anti-asthma medication is extracted from its roots. Recent research has established that using Forskolin helps minimize asthma attacks.

Licorice is another plant remedy for asthma. Ancient Chinese medicine prescribed licorice to cure asthma. Its inherent anti-inflammatory properties help reduce asthma symptoms. It is also known to be a natural antihistamine and expectorant. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL is recommended to avoid licorice’s possible side effect of raising blood pressure.

Food supplements like fish oil and magnesium are also recommended for easing the symptoms of asthma.
Essential Fatty Acids or EFAs, which are found in fish oils, also have anti-inflammatory properties that help ease breathing. These oils are known to, not only have therapeutic properties, but protective effects as well. The particular EFAs found in fish oil are called omega-3 fatty acids. The low incidence of asthma in Eskimos is attributed to the abundance of fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. Salmon, mackerel, and tuna are examples of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Luckily, omega-3 fatty acids are now available in gel capsules, doing away with the need to sense their unpleasant taste while swallowing.

Magnesium deficiency has long been associated with asthma and allergies. Many times, magnesium’s anti-inflammatory properties have been overlooked in the treatment of asthma. The use of asthma medication alone without addressing magnesium deficiency may prolong treatment unnecessarily and expose patients to adverse side effects. Magnesium can reduce inflammation in the bronchial tract and widen air passages. It is usually administered in the forms of magnesium citrate or magnesium aspirate.

The availability of natural methods for minimizing symptoms and even eliminating asthma altogether is welcome news to those who suffer from it.

Garcinia Cambogia & Forskolin Weight Loss Tandem

Is it really possible to lose weight without diet and exercise? Is there some magic pill that will help our bodies burn fat, especially belly fat? Many claim that this IS possible. In fact, it’s been the talk of the town for some years now. Garcinia cambogia Extract (GCE) and Forskolin are the two much-talked about plant-based weight-loss supplements that, in combination, may be the answer to our weight-loss worries. To understand how they work, let’s talk about them individually.

Garcinia cambogia is a plant that grows in India, Southeast Asia, as well as some areas in Africa. In Indonesia, it is called Garcinia gummi gutta. In English, it is called the “Malabar tamarind fruit.” The fruit has been commonly used as a souring agent in curries, but has also been recognized for its medicinal properties, especially for making digestion more efficient. This interesting fruit looks somewhat like a small pumpkin on the outside.

The thing about Garcinia cambogia which is causing quite a stir is Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA), which is derived from the fruit’s rind. HCA is known to be an appetite suppressant. It helps eliminate food cravings and it makes the body burn carbohydrates instead of storing any excess as fat. It is particularly effective in the burning of belly fat and helps in the production of serotonin, the “happy hormone.”As you may already know, serotonin helps curb eating due to stress. Another wonderful benefit from HA is relief from troubled sleep. HA helps treat wakefulness and erratic sleep patterns.

Garcinia alone already holds much promise for those who desire a trimmer physique. And yet, it is recommended that this be taken in tandem with Forskolin for enhanced weight reduction. Let’s take a closer look at the qualities of Forskolin on its own.

Forskolin is extracted from the root of Coleus forskohlii, a close relative of mint and lavender. Coleus has been used since ancient times in India for several medicinal purposes. It has been believed to be useful in treating asthma, heart ailments and painful urination. In South America, it is used as a remedy for headaches and hangover as well as for liver and digestive problems. Its roots are commonly used in many dishes in Asia.

Of primary significance is the ability of Forskolin to burn fat and boost the metabolism. With this effect, the body continues to burn fat even when at rest. Interestingly, it has also been found to increase testosterone levels and reduce blood pressure. The latter is not necessarily considered a bad side effect, although it would be worthy to be taken note of by those with hypotension or low blood pressure. Forskolin also aids in increasing bone mass.

Both these 100%-natural, herbal supplements are valuable for weight loss and management. If the two are taken together, what would be the effect? Think flat stomach, shapely behind and slim legs! The combination of these two supplements’ positive effects will give you an absolutely trim body, an efficient metabolism, stronger endurance and a more positive outlook in life. These two supplements, coupled with a basically healthy lifestyle are sure ingredients to success!

Health and Herbal Supplements “Supersafe” Compared to Prescription Drugs

Are you more likely to die from taking common medication than from taking health supplements?

Based on a report by the Alliance for Natural Health International (ANH-Intl), a UK-based organization that supports natural healthcare, the answer would be a resounding “Yes!”

The non-governmental organization collected data in Europe and reported that compared to taking health and herbal supplements, you are

797,940 times more likely to die from smoking, 293,006 times more likely to die from preventable medical injuries in a UK hospital or from being in active military service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and 62,000 times more likely to die from taking pharmaceutical drugs.

Smoking, military service in Iraq and preventable medical injuries in UK hospitals have been classified as ‘dangerous,’ with a 1 in 1,000 risk of death; while herbal medicines and food supplements are in the ‘supersafe’ category, with less than 1 in 10 million risk of death. In fact, you’re more likely to die from being struck by lightning or drowning in your own bathtub.

In the US, 69% of adults take health supplements. According to the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, of the 60 billion doses of nutritional supplements taken each year by Americans, there is not one recorded death.

According to Dr. Robert Verkerk, scientific director of ANH-Intl, their report “puts some real perspective on the actual risk of death posed by food supplements and herbal remedies at a time when governments are clamping down because they tell us they’re dangerous.”

With statistics showing health supplements to be safe, why all the warnings on the dangers of health and herbal supplements? The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set overly-strict requirements for supplement manufacturers to prove the safety of their product ingredients, asserting their danger and the need to protect consumers. On the other hand, pharmaceutical drugs are quickly approved with less stringent testing. This is in spite of the recorded 125,000 deaths per year in the US brought about by the intake of prescribed drugs. The US Poison Data System lists analgesics, sedatives, hypnotics, and antipsychotics as the drugs that are most likely to cause death. These are followed by cardiovascular drugs, opioids, acetaminophen combinations and antidepressants. Not far down the list are other familiar drugs such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, hormones, antacids, anticoagulants, and antihistamines.

Prescription drugs are now a growing lethal threat, probably overtaking illegal drug overdose. In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the number of deaths from pain reliever overdose to be greater than the number of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined.

Many are still not aware of the ever-present risk in taking drugs, even in prescribed dosages. Knowing how dangerous pharmaceutical drugs are, take responsibility for your health in order to avoid having to take them. Keep healthy by eating the right foods, getting enough exercise, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in our environment and managing stress.

If the need for you to take any kind of drug arises, know the risks and weigh them against the benefits. Awareness is the key to deciding what’s best for your body and your health.

Herbs That Help You Lose Weight

Let’s face it, times have changed. With the advances in technology and our fast-paced lifestyle, we tend to sit in front of our computers more than keeping active. The evidence is in our middles – and that’s the hardest kind of fat to lose. Fortunately, nature has bestowed its blessings upon us by giving us herbs to make it easier to burn the fat in our bodies. These wonderful gifts from nature help us lose weight. They give us more energy, make us eat less, and fire up our metabolism. Take your pick of these herbs that will help you regain and maintain a lean body.

Coleus forskohlii (also known as Plectranthus barbatus)

You may have already heard of an herb that has caught the attention of health enthusiasts and body builders. Forskolin is the much-touted substance extracted from the root of this herb.  It helps burn fat, build muscle and even increase bone mass. Its effectiveness is due to its action in stimulating the production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate or cAMP. cAMP is responsible for numerous biological processes at the cellular level. It is involved in regulating sugar, fat and hormone levels in the body.

Forskolin promotes efficient fat-burning and lean mass building in the body.

Camellia sinensis or Green Tea

Camellia sinensis is the scientific name for the plant from which green tea is made. For several centuries, green tea has been prized in China for its healing and health benefits. Modern scientific research has established its effectiveness in speeding up the body’s metabolism and restricting the amount of sugar that enter into the bloodstream. Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG is the substance in green tea that boosts the metabolism.

Caraluma fimbriata

Related to the cactus, Caraluma fimbriata has been used in India, Africa and the Mediterranean as a cure-all and, most notably, as an appetite suppressant.  Studies have established its effectiveness in lowering body weight, trimming the waistline and reducing appetite levels. Increased endurance is another benefit from this herb which is advantageous in sticking to a body-sculpting regimen.

Cha de Bugre

Also known as “café do mato” or “coffee of the woods,” this plant is native to Brazil. It is considered a tea substitute and is used in making Brazilian diet pills. It suppresses the appetite and helps stabilize the body’s metabolism. Some of its other benefits are the reduction of cellulite and prevention of fluid retention in the body.

Fennel Seed

Fennel seed is a staple spice in Chinese and Indian cuisine. Its flavor is said to be similar to that of licorice. Known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as a weight-loss herb, fennel seed is another appetite suppressant. When ingested, the seed helps the body to make more efficient use of nutrients from food.  It prevents fat from being stored in the body.  Also recognized as a diuretic, it increases the passage of urine and subsequently helps reduce the body’s retention of fluid.

These herbs will be a big boost to your weight loss program. Be sure, however, to first consult a doctor if you are taking other supplements or medication.

How To Boost Your Metabolism Using Forskolin

Having troubles losing weight? Are you disappointed with your weight, no matter how hard you try to lose it? Do you feel tired of all the supplements and pills that keep promising rapid weight loss but actually do nothing at all? Maybe you are looking for something that will produce the results it advertises. The struggle with losing weight, even with a proper diet and rigorous exercising, often happens due to a slow metabolism. If you are aware of this struggle, then Forskolin is a product that might help you.

What is Forskolin?

This plant is normally used for the treatment of numerous medical issues, including heart and lung problems such as angina and high blood pressure, convulsions, bowel spasms and even urinary problems.

How Does Forskolin Work?

This supplement has the ability to burn fatty tissue, which releases fatty acids stored inside. This a part of a process called thermogenesis, where the metabolic rate increases along with  the body’s internal temperature. This results in rapid weight loss because the body is burning fat deposits instead of muscle mass, which is normally much harder to break down.

A study conducted by the Department of Health Sport and Exercise Sciences has shown that Forskolin has a positive effect on overweight and obese individuals. In the study, one group was given a supplement containing Forskolin, while the other was a control group and was given a placebo. Researchers found that the group taking Forskolin lost more weight than the control group. Not only that, but results have shown an increase in testosterone levels and lean muscle mass in men.

Recommended Dosage

When it comes to taking Forskolin, the recommended dose is 4-5 teaspoons a day. This should be done at least half an hour before meals because it reduces the appetite more efficiently. Pregnant and nursing women, children under the age of 18 and individuals suffering from a known medical condition or taking medicine should always check with their doctor or healthcare professional before adding this, or any other supplement to their daily dietary regime.

Side Effects

Even though this is a completely natural herbal formulation and is considered safe to use, side effects can occur. This is mostly due to exceeding the recommended dose. High dosages are known to interfere with treatment for cardiovascular diseases. Be careful not to exceed the recommended dose.

You are bound to lose a remarkable amount of weight if you use Forskolin regularly and correctly. Just make sure to incorporate a proper diet and a good exercise regime and you will have the physique you always wanted.

Be careful when you purchase Forskolin online. Always go for a reliable seller or a retailer which has a number of positive reviews and a manufacturer’s guarantee backing up the product.