To be effective at its maximum potential, this type of
product must be combined with a well-sized diet, certainly low-calorie, and
also with regular aerobic exercise sessions , in order to induce weight and fat
loss more quickly.
With regard to these supplements it should be noted that
losing weight and losing weight are not the same thing at all , in fact in the
first case we speak specifically of a reduction in fat, while in the second it
will be only the body weight to decrease and it is not said that the fat follow
the same fate.
It may seem strange to lose weight without losing weight ,
but take for example a well-trained athlete who suddenly stops exercising by
decreasing muscle mass and certainly increasing fat with also, very often, a
decrease in weight.
This distinction must be made to better understand the
functionality of the different types of products that exist, some indicated
precisely to reduce weight, regardless of the body composition that will be
obtained, and others to reduce the percentage of body fat by inducing
lipolysis.
Weight loss products: which are the most effective extracts
As mention above, there are different categories of slimming
products, so we will start with those that are extracted from plants, and
therefore:
• caffeine
, it is a nerve stimulant that acts in two ways to break down fat, both by
means of a direct lipolytic effect and by encouraging the release of
catecholamines, neurotransmitters which, among other things, are capable of
increasing metabolism basal involving a greater expenditure of calories, and
therefore energy, at rest;
• capsaicin
and piperine , two thermogenic substances extracted respectively from chilli
and black pepper, are capable of increasing the production of body calories
causing with it a higher expenditure of energy necessary to carry out normal
body functions;
• forskolin
, extracted from the coleus forskohlii plant, stimulates the release of TSH
which in turn acts on the levels of T3 and T4 which are the two main thyroid
hormones with marked metabolic lipolytic properties, as well as beneficial for
the correct functioning of the body;
• guggulsterones
, plant sterols obtained from the resin of the commiphora mukuul plant, improve
the ratio between thyroxine and triodothyronine in favor of the latter which
has greater slimming properties.
These are vegetable slimming agents that act mainly on the
basal metabolism, on the production of heat and on lipolysis, but there is
another category of extracts, we are talking about inhibitors both of the sense
of appetite and of the storage of fats in the tissues, here are what they are:
• synephrine
obtained from bitter orange extract, it is a sympathetic-mimetic compound that
acts at the nervous level to decrease appetite;
• dietary
fiber , a non-nutritious compound which, however, is essential for correct
intestinal absorption and also to decrease hunger, factors from which you can
reduce the possibility of malabsorption syndromes and also silvestre gymnema
and African mango , two extracts that control the presence of blood sugars on
which both insulin synthesis depends, when they are too high, and the release
of cortisol, when hypoglycemia occurs;
• garcinia
cambogia , fruit containing hydroxycitric acid, a compound that decreases the
energy substrate for the synthesis of fats which will therefore be produced by
the body in less quantity.
Regarding the products that control blood sugar, it is
necessary to do a little in-depth study to better understand their capabilities.
An excessive presence of sugar in the blood causes the release of insulin, a
hypoglycemic hormone that can cause a higher (faster) accumulation of fats,
moreover, by causing a sudden decrease in blood sugar, it also induces the
synthesis of cortisol, a hormone that causes proteolysis and also an increase
in fat and retention. Finally, we cannot forget the raspberry ketones ,
compounds that are used to cause ketosis, a metabolic mechanism to produce
alternative fuels to glycogen which, as a secondary effect, also cause a
decrease in fat.
Non-herbal slimming: what they are and how they work
So far we have seen what are the natural slimming products
extracted from plants, now we must examine all the other compounds which,
although not of vegetable origin, are still connected with weight loss, also
mediated by the energetic use of fats. Here is an exhaustive list of the most
common non-plant weight loss products:
• conjugated
linoleic acid also called CLA , it is an isomer of omega-6 linoleic acid, it
acts by improving the body composition and therefore increasing the lean muscle
mass in relation to the adipose stocks, it is also an effective
cholesterol-lowering agent;
• carnitine
, an element that by chemical structure is very similar to an amino acid but
cannot be considered as such since it is not found in any protein, in fact its
main metabolic role is to promote the disposal of fat allowing a more efficient
energy use inside the lipid oxidation plants;
• amino
acids stimulators of GH, a powerful lipolytic hormone but also anabolic, see
glutamine, arginine, lysine and gaba;
• chitosan
, a polysaccharide that is extracted from the skeleton of crustaceans, manages
to bind to fats, significantly decreasing their intestinal absorption and
therefore their accumulation in adipose tissues;
• mct
medium-chain fatty acids , can promote weight loss by reducing the possibility
of bad intestinal absorption which often results in greater storage of fat,
moreover, by accustoming the body to draw energy from lipids, they are able to
improve its oxidative use;
• tyrosine
, another amino acid that is a precursor of thyroxine, one of the thyroid
hormones with known metabolic and lipoitic stimulating properties;
• alpha
lipoic acid , although it is known for its antioxidant properties, is also
capable of regulating the release of sugars into the blood, therefore it is
also suitable for use for weight loss, with reference to the discussion on
insulin already made above;
• coenzyme
q10 , this is also well known for being an antioxidant but also intervenes in
the oxidation of fats making the mitochondria more efficient in their role of
transforming fatty acids into energy, therefore a non-vegetable slimming with
indirect action.
Method of use, contraindications and side effects
Like any other supplement product, even natural slimming
agents, whether vegetable or other, must be taken according to specific methods
and can also have undesirable effects, in addition to the fact that in some
cases they are not indicated for example due to any interactions with drugs,
but not only. So let's try to understand how to use these products in order to
get the best results from them. Let's start with a general overview before
going into the specifics of the different types of nutrients. It must
immediately be said that supplements must never be interpreted as a partial, or
worse still, total substitute for normal nutrition, otherwise it has severe
consequences on the health of the body. Having said that we canexamine more
closely the specific methods of use, adverse effects and contraindications ,
and therefore:
• caffeine
and other nervous stimulants , these nutrients must always be taken in the
first part of the day (let's say by 4 pm) as, by acting on the central nervous
system, they can cause insomnia, tremors and anxiety, moreover they must not be
taken by hypertensive people or who have problems related to the
cardio-circulatory system;
• piperine,
capasaicin and all the "spicy" based thermogenics , can be taken at
any time of the day but be careful because they can cause excessive sweating
and strong, but transient, sensation of calories. They are contraindicated in
those suffering from gastric problems, ulcers and even hemorrhoids;
• guggulsterones,
forskolin and tyrosine , three compounds that induce a greater thyroid boost,
even here you can take them when you see fit, but be careful as some may have
interactions with contraceptive drugs, antiplatelet drugs and beta blockers;
• natural
anorectic synephrine and glycemic control compounds, these must all be taken
before a meal, both to decrease hunger and to modulate the absorption of
sugars, there are no known undesirable effects for synephrine at normal
dosages, while in overdose it is they can manifest tachycardia and tremors,
while for the other two there are no adverse effects but in both cases they
exist against indications, see problems of anxiety, agitation and disorders of
glucose metabolism such as diabetes;
• cla
conjugated linoleic acid , take it during the day without particular
indications, remember that it should not be used in excessive dosage since it
can cause gastrointestinal disorders and also, where there are inflammations,
it is not indicated due to the fact that it is a precursor of pro molecules.
-inflammatory such as prostaglandins;
• carnitine
, better to use it before an aerobic exercise session to efficiently use fat as
an energy source, no side effects are known but be careful because it should
not be used, without the advice of the treating doctor, where you have heart
disease;
• amino
acids precursors of GH , should always be taken in the evening before bed in
order to assist in the normal release of this hormone which occurs at night
during deep sleep. Here too, in normal dosages, no undesirable effects are
known, while, as regards the contraindications, all amino acids should not be
taken by people with kidney problems;
• chitosan
, not suitable for shellfish allergy sufferers and it should be taken into
account that it may have interactions with fat-soluble compounds, including
some types of vitamins, see D3, K2 and E;
• medium-chain
fatty acids or MCTs , there is no dosage to be applied a priori but it should
be remembered that quantities greater than 70 80 grams can give rise to
unpleasant side effects, especially of a gastrointestinal nature;
• coenzyme
q10 , is considered a rather safe nutrient, despite this in a small percentage
of people it can induce skin rashes and other disorders of an inetstinal and
dermatological nature.
Finally, it should be remembered that when it comes to
natural slimming, regardless of the type, all products should not be taken
without the doctor's opinion if you are taking medications, even over the
counter, or have previous pathologies already diagnosed.
Other categories of natural "slimming", draining and plant diuretics
We have talked quites in depth about the different types of
slimming supplements, but we still have to look at another interesting
category, they are not real slimming products (i.e. products that decrease fat)
but products that act on weight loss, according to the principle already stated
at the beginning of this article, let's talk about the draining extracts .
These are compounds, even standardized, obtained from different types of plants
that are able to act on the presence of water under the skin, called water
retention, which provides the body with that little defined aspect that most
people don't like. Among these products the best are dandelion, centella,
artichoke and birch, but there are many others. These supplements are used to
improve definition also known as muscle cutting, but, as plant extracts, they
can also have unwanted effects, and therefore:
• excessive
diuresis resulting in a drop in blood pressure;
• muscle
cramps always due to the high loss of water with which even imported
electrolytes are lost;
• dizziness
caused by excessive loss of salts from the body.
Also in this case, the same rules apply as for natural and
non-vegetable slimming supplements, and therefore you must not understand
draining as a substitute for the diet , moreover you must not take them for
prolonged periods especially if you are not heavily overweight due to water
retention. If you then take drugs or are sick, it is always worthwhile to
listen to the doctor's opinion before use.
Tip for getting the most out of natural slimming
In order to achieve maximum results, you can follow these
simple but effective tips:
• follow a
low-calorie and hypocarbohydrate diet (few carbohydrates) in order to trigger
lipolysis, that is, the degradation of fats with consequent energy use in lipid
beta oxidation;
• you carry
out physical activity, especially aerobic activity , walking or light jogging
are also good;
• completely
eliminates the cooking salt added to foods, remember that the sodium naturally
present in foods is sufficient to meet the specific mineral requirement;
• prefer
fresh foods to those preserved or refined, the latter in fact often contain
toxins that make us accumulate water retention;
• drink
plenty of low-sodium water, water is the best natural drainage there is;
• increase
the protein share in your diet compared to carbohydrates, in fact proteins for
the same calories are more thermogenic and also diuretic.