fat asorbing products

Question
Thank you for answering so quickly. I know you are right about the diet, but it seems I don't eat badly and still gain weight. We eat alot of organic, mostly meat and veggies with just a few bad things thrown in on the weekends.
When I hit 38, my metabolism seemed to nosedive and I picked up 2 sizes fairly quickly and no amount of eating right seems to make much of a difference. If the scale shows a loss, it is gone in a few days. While I am a busy person, I am not into exercise (hate it, actually :), and I'm finding it very hard to change my attitude about that. I do some weights and some quick exercises several times a week, and know I have to do more, but I keep procrastinating with any excuse I can think of.  I suck.

Is there a natural way (or supplement) to improve metabolism, so that my paltry efforts at dieting would show just a bit? Even a little consistant loss would make me feel like I'm acomplishing something. Have you heard of the deep breathing technique that is supposed to help? My mother swears by it...I just can't seem to remember to do it.

As for the primrose, I'm not sure what part of the plant it is...just your standard oil capsule. I was told that it, along with flax, omega 3's and borage oil are good for your digestion, speeding things along so that toxins can be expelled instead of re-absorbed. I've been taking these for 2 or 3 years and I can really tell the difference in my skin...much clearer. I used to get a cold sore every few months and those are almost nonexistant and...I am much more regular :). I am just hoping that taking all these things together (2 caps a day) will not cause any problems down the road.

Thanks again for your prompt response,

Ann

Answer
Ann,

Metabolism often does slow down as we age. There are daily multivitamin/mineral supplements that "claim" to help metabolism because they contain EGCG. There are lots of products that can enhance metabolism. However, the down fall of using those products is that they are stimulants, and people will often complain of unwanted side effects such as palpitations (feeling of the heart racing or beating) and chest pain. Diet pills often contain guarana (now that ephedra is banned). Guarana is a "natural" product, but it has the actions of speed (amphetamines) only it's legal and sold over the counter.

Caffeine is an alternative weight loss product that increases metabolism. It also has a mild antidepressant and diuretic effect. But large doses must be taken for weight loss and those large doses can also cause those unwanted side effects in addition to insomnia, irritability, the "jitters", and an increase in blood pressure. Also, Green tea tends to have the same effects.

Diuretic herbs such as buchu, celery seed, dandelion, juniper, parsley, and uva ursi (I know you probably haven't even heard of some of those) are used for short-term strategy. Diuretics can help people lose weight. However, this is mainly water weight and is easily gained back, not to mention there is the possibility of dehydration with overuse.

Psyllium is the seed of the plantain plant. It contains the fiber mucilage. When it comes in contact with water it absorbs the fluid and expands and produce the feelings of fullness in the stomach. You can find this in health food stores, or in the laxative Metamucil.

Hot and spicy herbs are known to increase metabolism. Two such products are red pepper and mustard (1 tsp. with each meal). As your metabolic rate increases you burn calories faster and weight decreases more rapidly. Hot herbs also stimulate thirst, so you drink more, filling up on water instead of food, which contributes to weight loss.

Another more natural way to prevent absorption of fat would be to take a tbsp of apple cider vinegar before each meal (especially a fatty meal). Or if you can't bear the taste you can always go for the capsules (however, the capsules contain unnatural products as well).

You really need to try to incorporate exercise in your weight loss efforts though. I can't stress that enough. Even if it's just walking for a half an hour every night. Walking a mile burns about 100-125 calories. Lifting weights is an excellent way to build muscle mass which in turn helps your body burn more calories.

I hope I have been some help to you. And again, don't hesitate to contact me again with any other questions.

Leigh-Anne

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