The Best Natural Weight-Loss Nutrients

It is estimated that up to 50 million Americans attempt to lose weight each year. Although many people are successful through various lifestyle changes and improved eating habits, some are unsuccessful. This is especially true for those who reach a plateau and are unable to lose that last 10 to 20 pounds. While healthy eating and ample exercise are the best ways to lose those unwanted pounds, sometimes you need an added boost. This is where a natural weight loss nutrient may be beneficial.

Banaba: The Banaba tree is a tropical tree native to India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. The leaves of this tree have been traditionally used in the Philippines as an anti-diabetic and weight-loss aid. Animal studies have demonstrated that an active constituent in banaba, corosolic acid, promotes weight loss. Animals fed a high fat diet while receiving corosolic acid experienced a 15% reduction in body weight, with an amazing 16% reduction in visceral (abdominal) fat. This would equate to a loss of approximately 1-2 pounds per week in the average person. The weight loss properties of banaba may largely be due to its ability to inhibit cells from transforming into specialized fat storage cells called adipocytes.

Licorice Flavonoid: Licorice is more than a tasty candy. This medicinal herb is used widely for gastrointestinal problems and combats the herpes simplex virus. Licorice flavonoid has demonstrated the ability to reduce visceral fat in animal studies. Visceral fat is often the hardest fat to eliminate from the body. Two human studies found that participants who took 900 mg of licorice flavonoid oil daily for 8 weeks experienced considerable decreases in body weight, fat percentage and body mass index. Interestingly, the participants also obtained decreased LDL cholesterol levels.

Fucoxanthin: Fucoxanthin is a natural carotenoid derived from seaweeds'"predominantly brown seaweed. In animal studies it was discovered that fucoxanthin increases thermogenesis (heat production within the body) and metabolism (calorie expenditure). Scientists believe that fucoxanthin promotes weight loss'"particularly visceral fat loss'"by targeting a protein called UCP1 that stimulates fat burning and alters lipid-regulating enzymes. In an 8-week human study of 22 female college students, subjects lost 2.2% body fat and decreased body weight up to 6.6 pounds. This was accomplished through a combination of dietary therapy, exercise and behavior modifications and 20g of a seaweed powder containing fucoxanthin. While this is not a significant weight or fat reduction, the compliance rate among participants was greater than that seen in weight loss programs that rely on strict calorie reduction.

Considerations: Consult a qualified professional before taking any natural nutrient. The author provides this article for informational purposes only. The content is not meant to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness or condition.

References:
"Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin"; Dietary Corosolic Acid Ameliorates Obesity and Hepatic Steatosis in KK-Ay Mice; Yamada K, et al.; 2008
"Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Antidiabetic activity of a standardized extract (Glucosol¢'...¾¢) from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves in Type II diabetics: A dose-dependence study; Judy W, et al.; 2003
"Agriculture and Food Chemistry"; Active Compounds from Lagerstroemia speciosa, Insulin-like Glucose Uptake-Stimulatory/Inhibitory and Adipocyte Differentiation-Inhibitory Activities in 3T3-L1 Cells; Bai N, et al.; 2008
"Journal of Oleo Science"; Effect of medium-chain triacylglycerols on anti-obesity effect of fucoxanthin.; Maeda H, et al.; 2007
"Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications"; Fucoxanthin from edible seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida, shows antiobesity effect through UCP1 expression in white adipose tissues.; Maeda H, et al.; 2005
"Molecular Food and Nutrition Research"; Anti-obese property of fucoxanthin is partly mediated by altering lipid-regulating enzymes and uncoupling proteins of visceral adipose tissue in mice; Woo MN, et al.; 2009
"Journal of Health Sciences"; Licorice Flavonoid Oil Effects Body Weight Loss by Reduction of Body Fat Mass in Overweight Subjects; Tominaga Y, et al.; 2006
"Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin"; Licorice Flavonoids Supress Abdominal Fat Accumulation in Blood Glucose Level in Obese Diabetic KK-A^y Mice.; Nakagawa K, et al.; 2004
"Obesity Research and Clinical Practice"; Licorice flavonoid oil reduces total body fat and visceral fat in overweight subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study; Tominaga Y, et al.; 2009