YOU are following a healthy meal plan (at least, most of the time) and working out. You are getting healthier, and you know that before long, you will look as good as you feel. But still, the weight loss seems so slow. And while that’s healthy, it can also be frustrating – you want to be thin, and you want it now!

Obesity is recognised as a disease in the US, and internationally by government, health organisations, researchers and medical professionals1. The “identifiable signs and symptoms” of obesity include an excess accumulation of fat or adipose tissue, an increase in the size or number of fat cells, insulin resistance, increased glucose levels, increased blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein and norepinephrine (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that also acts as a neurotransmitter for nerve cells, and part of the fight-or-flight response.) and alterations in the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

Primarily, slimming is about losing weight and toning body – steady and controlled weight loss. Slimming involves eating healthy food in moderation and partaking in regular exercise, and selecting the right supplements to achieve better and faster results. It’s the combination of eating healthily and getting regular physical activity that is the key to successful and sustainable weight control.

You can also reduce the risk of developing some diseases such as diabetes and gain all the health benefits of eating a balanced, nutritional diet and reaching and maintaining your ideal weight.

In a world where weight loss is a constant issue for millions of people, slimming pills and drops are popped without a second thought. There are lots of slimming products and magazines with information to help you lose weight and get into shape.

“Those who are restricting their caloric intake to lose weight will benefit by taking multivitamins, and possibly some additional calcium,” says Robyn Flipse, a registered dietitian specialising in food, nutrition and health communication. “The more limited or repetitious your food choices are, the more likely you’re not going to meet your daily nutritional requirements.”

Supplements will help keep you covered if there are gaps in your diet and achieve a better and faster slimming result. But, how do we choose a suitable slimming supplement and what are the ingredients to look for when choosing slimming supplements?

Below are some of the ingredients that you should look for when choosing a slimming product.

White kidney bean – the starch blocker

White kidney bean1,2 is an entirely natural nutritional ingredient. It can be easily taken as a regular nutritional supplement. It is the first nutritional supplement that has been clinically and scientifically proven to neutralise starch found in your favourite foods such as rice, potatoes, breads and pasta.

White kidney bean is a safe yet powerful nutritional ingredient. One gram of white kidney bean has the capability to neutralise 2,350 in vitro starch calories, which is roughly the equivalent of a loaf of bread or one pound of pasta. It helps prevent starch/ carbohydrate from food being absorbed by the body.

Coleus forskohli

Coleus forskohli4,5 is an herb that has been used for a variety of purposes in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurvedia) for centuries. As an agent for promoting fat loss, it acts as a precursor in the body to the enzyme adenylate cyclase (an enzyme responsible for converting ATP, the body’s basic source of energy, into a compound called cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cAMP).

cAMP is a “secondary messenger”, which means that it is responsible for initiating the process of lipolysis (fat-burning) at the cellular level. Coleus forskohli helps increase body metabolism, promotes fat burning and enhances the immune system.

Commiphora mukul (Guggulipids)

Guggulipids6,7 (gum guggul) is a resin produced by the mukul mirth tree. It has been recommended for the treatment of arthritis, hypercholesterolaemia, nodulocystic acne, and overweight. Guggulipids helps promote weight loss by increasing the body’s rate of metabolism. Besides, it also helps promote healthy cholesterol levels and is beneficial to cardiovascular health.

Garcinia cambogia

Garcinia cambogia8,9 is a pumpkin-like fruit which is rich in a substance called hydroxycitric acid, or HCA, and is closely related to the citric acid found in grapefruits and oranges. Garcinia cambogia is able to block the conversion of sugary foods and starch into fats, lowers the production of cholesterol and fatty acids, increases the production of glycogen in the liver and suppresses appetite.

Besides that, it also helps increase the body’s production of heat by activating the process of thermogenesis.

Chitosan

Chitosan10,11 is derived from chitin, a polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of shellfish like shrimp or crabs. Chitosan is a naturally occurring substance that is chemically similar to cellulose (plant fibre), which is able to “soak up” or absorb fat and oils. It binds with fat molecules and converts them into a form which the human body does not absorb.

Like some plant fibres, chitosan is not digestible; therefore it has no caloric value. No matter how much chitosan you digest, its caloric count remains at zero. This is a very important property for any weight loss product. Chitosan helps promote weight loss by absorbing and binding fats from food. It also helps lower cholesterol levels and control blood pressure.

Phymatolithon calcareum

Phymatolithon calcareum12 is seaweed that deposit calcium salts within their tissues. It is virtually fat-free, low-calorie and one of the richest sources of minerals, particularly calcium, in the vegetable kingdom.

A recent clinical study has shown that calcium from aquamin mineralised seaweed is better absorbed by the body compared to calcium carbonate, which is the most widely used source of calcium found in foods and supplements13.

Researchers at the CU-Health Sciences Center’s centre for Human Nutrition reported that calcium may help control body weight. The report, published in the International Journal of Obesity, is the first study in humans to demonstrate a mechanistic link between calcium intake and body weight14.

Studies also show that weight loss may cause the reduction of bone mass and increase fracture risk. This might be due to reduced calcium intake and mechanical strain on the skeleton. Fortunately, calcium does not simply promote weight loss, it also helps prevent bone loss that can accompany it15.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 16th, 2006 @ 11:26 pm on the category Uncategorized .