QuestionOver 2 years ago, I sent in the following question and received the provided answer:
Question -
My waistline's crept up and I want to get it back to 30". I don't consider 'weight' to be a problem as no-one else looks at my scales. They do see my belly, though. I'm content with other parts of my body.
I'm quite happy to do something drastic as it should only be necessary short-term. While I realise we should have balanced diets, I'm quite happy to not have if it's only for the period of time it takes to get rid of my belly.
Last time it crept up, I had a strict apples & diet cola diet, i.e. very low in calories. It's pretty boring though, and I doubt I could be as disciplined this time. I'm not worried about yo-yo dieting as I've never done this - It's quite some time since I had a waistline problem. I've never liked vegetables apart from potato & baked beans.
I guess what I want is a diet that's REASONABLY interesting that'll fill me up. After success, I'll most likely get back to the gym for body-building and resume a high-protein diet.
My exercise regime currently consists of long walks. I can't run because of a problem with one of my knees. I don't have a bicycle and don't want to renew my gym membership just for CV exercises that I could probably do from home.
What do you suggest?
Jackie Barr Answers -
Hi Andrew
You might want to try one or two supplements to help with the weight loss.
Here is a listing of natural supplements and herbs that help weight loss.
Powerful Proteins -- with 8 ounces or more a day, such as eggs, lean beef, chicken, fish and whey -- boost metabolism by up to 25 percent for about 12 hours to keep metabolic fires burning. Proteins are the tissue and muscle builders par excellence. For every pound of muscle gained, you burn an extra 70 calories per hour. Subsequently, you will help stop hunger and keep blood sugar/insulin levels steady as well as support your system's detoxification process. And you'll actually be eating eggs with yolks on the diet because the sulfur-bearing amino acids they contain help the liver metabolize fats.
Amazing Omegas -- such as high-lignan flaxseed oil and GLA-rich botanicals from evening primrose oil, borage, or black currant seed oil -- trigger fat burning rather than fat storage. Flaxseed oil tops the satiety scale and can attract oil-soluable poisons that have been lodged in your fat stores and transport them out of the system. The GLA oils mobilize brown adipose tissue, which burns off excess calories and burns energy.
Colorful, Friendly Carbohydrates -- such as antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies -- that are high in natural enzymes, vitamins and minerals such as potassium, keep sodium out of your cells to banish water retention.
Thermogenic Spices -- such as ginger, cayenne, mustard and cinnamon -- raise your body temperature and kick your metabolism into high gear. In fact, studies show that some of these seasonings triple the body's ability to burn calories for fuel rather than store them as fat.
Elimination of Metabolism Blockers -- such as wheat, milk and yeast-based seasonings -- to protect your fat-burning process and ward off those unsightly allergy-related symptoms, such as puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes. Omitting them is vital to your weight loss success becaue they have a way of retaining fluid, slowing down metabolism and making fat stick.
Used as a Chinese cure-all for centuries, scientists have shown ginseng stimulates our central nervous systems, boosts metabolism and improve mental alertness. It helps the adrenal glands, which regulate hormones.
Considered one of the golden herbal remedies, royal jelly is made by worker bees from pollen for their queen. The list of reported health benefits is impressive: improved general health, stimulated immune system, boosted stamina and increased energy.
The following supplements and herbs may help encourage weight loss:
With any weight loss attempt, a Multivitamin supplement is recommended, since the reduced caloric intake means the body may not get all the vitamins and minerals it needs as easily.
5-HTP has been shown to help decrease appetite and encourage weight loss. Taken in the form of chromium picolinate, it appears to increase fat loss and lean muscle gain in both animals4 and humans.
Psyllium is an excellent source of fiber, which may help lessen appetites and encourage weight loss.
Pyruvate, which is a modified form of the sugar molecule, appears to aid weight loss. Supplementation appears to enhance weight loss in adults who are eating a low-fat diet. It is suspected that Pyruvate works by increasing the body's resting metabolic rate (the amount of energy used by the body when at rest).
Spirulina (blue-green algae) appears to help encourage weight loss. Even if these results are not seen, it may be a good supplement to use when undergoing a weight loss plan, as it is an excellent source of protein, essential fatty acids, and several vitamins and minerals.
Cayenne Pepper and other hot peppers boost metabolism for several hours after they are eaten, increasing calorie burning. They contain antioxidants that help to prevent cancer, heart disease, and defend against toxic chemicals. Regular consumption of hot peppers can improve circulation, ease flatulence, relieve indigestion, and strengthen the heart and nervous system. The powdered form is often used to treat colds and the flu.
Cinnamon helps to keep blood sugar levels steady and aids in digestion by enhancing breakdown of proteins and fats. It inhibits growth of bacteria, fungi and viruii, helping to ward off infections, including colds and the flu, and helps to ease symptoms of diarrhea.
Paprika contains cancer-fighting antioxidants and possesses health benefits similar to cayenne pepper and red pepper.Parsley is an excellent diuretic that is used to ease bloating, reduce water retention and speed the excretion of toxins. It is also used to purify the breath.Red Pepper Flakes increase metabolism and contain the same health benefits as cayenne pepper.
MY QUESTION NOW
First of all, I'd like to know whether any of Jackie's points have been disproved, or their benefits found to be insignificant. You're welcome to disagree with Jackie!
I suffer from bruxism - subconscious grinding of my teeth, mainly at night. It seems to have triggered neuropathy. If ginseng stimulates the CNS, should it therefore be avoided?
I didn't take any of the supplements in response to Jackie's answer. I don't want to be consuming as much medication as food! But I'm prepared to reconsider taking some now. Out of the following, which would you say is least useful, or least proved to be useful:
- Royal jelly
- Chromium picolinate
- Psyllium
- Pyruvate
I would be most grateful for any other help you can give to me. Thank you!
Andrew
AnswerThe diet/health industry rakes in more than $40 BILLION per year in the U.S. alone, every year and steadily increasing. Meanwhile, the average weight of Americans is also increasing. Studies in published (respected) journals like the Journal of American Medicine Association (JAMA) repeatedly discredit supplements AND diets.
Sales pitches focus on remote lab results or obscure studies that are usually slanted, manipulated and funded by the manufacturers of products. Recently, the dairy industry was found to be behind the so called study saying dairy helps with weight loss. The FDA has since ordered re-wording of those claims (they have been proven false), but if you're not a lawyer, it's difficult to really know what ads are saying (and what they're NOT saying).
The truth is that none of the supplements you mention are worth the price of the cotton in the bottle.
Find out more about quack products, false claims and outright illegal products by checking into my site
--- which is ALL free, no signing in and NOTHING for sale ----
www.GetTheReal.info
BY THE WAY - the worst thing you did was trying to lose weight on apples and diet soda. It came back on didn't it? Probably with about 20% more weight. And now it's harder than ever to lose weight again, right?
