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By: Editor on Fri Sep 19, 2008

It is common knowledge that overweight individuals choosing to live a healthier lifestyle by losing excess weight can improve their overall well-being. Dieting options are abundant, along with exercise programs designed to burn fat. Dietary supplements, diet foods and shakes, diet pills and other diet products have hit the market and are widely available.

One diet option that is gaining a lot of momentum is to take a herbal approach.


Herbal weight loss products are in great demand for people who want to lose weight using natural methods. However, when you take herbal supplements to lose weight, you must wait for a longer time for the results to show due to the more subtle effects of medicines which are derived from plants and natural herbs.

Here are some herbal weight loss options and products that you may want to consider:

1. Herbal weight loss products

There are a lot of herbal weight loss products available on the market today. You can check online and find a wide variety of herbal weight loss pills and products.

Be careful, however, as there are some products that claim to be safe and natural because they are herbal, but some can have side effects because of non-extensive research on the effects of these products.

Here are some ingredients and chemicals which make up a few herbal weight loss products that you should be aware of, as they might have harmful or unwanted effects to your health:

> Senna. This is an herbal laxative. Senna is a main ingredient in weight loss teas, and it works by stimulation of the colon. The downside of this herb is dehydration. It can also lead to colon problems and can become addictive. Some people, when addicted, are unable to perform bowel movements without it, so be cautious.

> Chromium picolinate. This is a synthetic compound found in herbal weight loss products. Chromium is a nutrient which helps regulate blood-sugar level. However, this ingredient, when taken in high doses, may cause damage in the chromosomes. It can also lead to dehydration.

> St. John's wort. This supplement increases the production of a chemical in the brain. If not used properly, it may cause eye and skin sensitivity, mild gastrointestinal distress, fatigue and itchiness.

Although a lot of herbal products claim to be safe and natural, it is better to scrutinize the ingredients and research the effects of the product itself before going for these herbal dietary pills and foods.

2. Organic food.

Increasingly, organic food has found its way to many homes and restaurants. Organic food devotees believe that consuming organic products help their bodies as well as the environment.

Individuals who buy organically raised eggs and vegetables claim to be healthier, and they are not spending money on doctors and prescriptions as these keep them away from the hospital. This could also be an option for weight watchers, as organic food is known to be better for staying fit than chemically-processed food products.

3. Green Tea.

Studies show that intake of green tea, or green tea extracts burns extra calories. Also, green tea with caffeine can increase fat burning by up to 40%.

This is a good option for those who want to lose weight using a natural product. In a study done, people who took green tea were found to lose 2 to 3 times more weight than those who did not drink green tea.

These results show that green tea is a natural product for the treatment of obesity. Thus, it also makes for a healthier dietary option, not to mention the good effects that it has on the body as compared to only caffeine. A cup of tea gives an immediate energy lift without the side effects of caffeine.

3. Caffeine.

Coffee and other caffeinated products provide an energy boost to increase fat burning. Caffeine also provides a likelihood to be active, which in turn increases your rate of calorie burn.

4. “Immortality” Herb

This herb, with the scientific name Gymnostemna Pentaphyllum, is known to have the following benefits:

> increases healthy blood flow
> reduces artery blocks
> aids healthy blood pressure
> increases fat burning rate

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

There are pills and food supplements with their main ingredient being apple cider vinegar. Here are the benefits of taking this herbal option:

> weight loss
> improved cholesterol level
> improved blood pressure
> prevention of rheumatoid arthritis