Linda
01-24-2004, 06:22 AM
Skip the diet products; exercise and drink water instead
Patricia Anstett
Detroit Free Press
Jan. 23, 2004 12:00 AM
Ask around. Check out the teen magazines. Search the Web.
There are lots of weight-loss products - some you may never have guessed are being used to lose weight.
Sudafed is popular among teen girls to curb their appetites. The allergy and sinus medicine contains pseudoephedrine, a synthetic cousin to the soon-to-be-banned stimulant ephedra. Like ephedra, it can rev up the heart, increase blood pressure or make you anxious.
Some ephedra-free products contain chromium or chromium picolinate and L-carnitine, compounds that work to convert fats and amino acids into energy.
Critics say research is slim or shows that chromium picolinate does not help people achieve significant weight loss. Manufacturers say research is costly and hard to come by.
Many ephedra-free products contain caffeine, but the labels may list it as guarana, kola nut, mate, paullinia cupana and tea extracts, according to Consumer Reports. The magazine says other ingredients that may stimulate the heart and blood vessels too much are:
• Bitter orange. Also known as synephrine, a cousin of ephedra, it can cause the heart rate to increase and constrict blood vessels.
• Green-tea extract. Another stimulant, it contains catechins, chemicals that can lead to an upset stomach, jitters, headache and insomnia.
"Our baseline advice is to avoid all weight-loss products," said Jamie Kopf, editorial associate at Consumer Reports. "It's a complete jungle out there. It's highly unregulated."
Stephanie Lucas, an internal-medicine physician specializing in diabetes and weight-loss management for St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, uses supplements to aid people going on a diet. For example, taking a fiber supplement with two glasses of water before a meal "sends a message to the brain" and people feel less hungry a half hour later, she says.
"One of the real secrets people forget about is good, old-fashioned water," she says. "I know it sounds corny, but if people drink water more effectively, it can help as a natural appetite suppressant.
"And don't forget exercise. If I could put that in a pill, that would be the best pill."
Source: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0123weightloss23.html
Patricia Anstett
Detroit Free Press
Jan. 23, 2004 12:00 AM
Ask around. Check out the teen magazines. Search the Web.
There are lots of weight-loss products - some you may never have guessed are being used to lose weight.
Sudafed is popular among teen girls to curb their appetites. The allergy and sinus medicine contains pseudoephedrine, a synthetic cousin to the soon-to-be-banned stimulant ephedra. Like ephedra, it can rev up the heart, increase blood pressure or make you anxious.
Some ephedra-free products contain chromium or chromium picolinate and L-carnitine, compounds that work to convert fats and amino acids into energy.
Critics say research is slim or shows that chromium picolinate does not help people achieve significant weight loss. Manufacturers say research is costly and hard to come by.
Many ephedra-free products contain caffeine, but the labels may list it as guarana, kola nut, mate, paullinia cupana and tea extracts, according to Consumer Reports. The magazine says other ingredients that may stimulate the heart and blood vessels too much are:
• Bitter orange. Also known as synephrine, a cousin of ephedra, it can cause the heart rate to increase and constrict blood vessels.
• Green-tea extract. Another stimulant, it contains catechins, chemicals that can lead to an upset stomach, jitters, headache and insomnia.
"Our baseline advice is to avoid all weight-loss products," said Jamie Kopf, editorial associate at Consumer Reports. "It's a complete jungle out there. It's highly unregulated."
Stephanie Lucas, an internal-medicine physician specializing in diabetes and weight-loss management for St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, uses supplements to aid people going on a diet. For example, taking a fiber supplement with two glasses of water before a meal "sends a message to the brain" and people feel less hungry a half hour later, she says.
"One of the real secrets people forget about is good, old-fashioned water," she says. "I know it sounds corny, but if people drink water more effectively, it can help as a natural appetite suppressant.
"And don't forget exercise. If I could put that in a pill, that would be the best pill."
Source: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0123weightloss23.html