26
Jan
Carl Walker asked:

Many weight loss supplements make fantastic claims, promising to melt fat or pack on muscle at an amazing rate. However, if you actually try these supplements, you could see a far different result ranging from nothing happening to gaining weight to actually damaging your health. In a day and age when so much is regulated by governmental agencies, how is this possible?

In America, weight loss supplements, along with many other herbal and homeopathic remedies, do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that, unlike foods and medications, weight loss supplements are not subjected to the FDA’s rigorous standards of safety and effectiveness. As long as they don’t directly claim to have a therapeutic effect, supplements can make wild promises with little to no scientific proof to back up their statements.

This doesn’t mean that all weight loss supplements are useless or worse - far from it! However, it does place the burden of research on the shoulders of the consumer. Before buying into the claims of any supplement, do some research on your own to determine if it’s right for you.

For example:

• Define your goals before buying any supplements. Are you trying to supplement your nutrition, boost your metabolism, or build muscle more effectively?

• Find out how the supplements are supposed to work. This will help you to decide whether there are any risks (i.e., boosting your metabolism can also lead to increased blood pressure and risk of heart disease.)

• Read the manufacturer’s warnings carefully.

• Look online and in newspapers to find out whether other people have had success with the product.

• Talk with your doctor to find out whether there are any known health risks.

• Stick to brands with solid, trustworthy reputations in the industry.

By following these simple recommendations, you can use supplements to increase the effectiveness of your weight loss program while safeguarding your health and your pocketbook.

14
Dec
Kathryn Soloff asked:

Natural weight loss supplements are better for your weight loss efforts than diet pills. Many over the counter diet pills can cause the jitters, sleeplessness, increase your blood pressure and your heart rate. Natural supplements are made from all natural ingredients, mostly herbs and plants.

Natural products are mild and extremely effective. Some of these weight loss products are made from Chinese herbs. The Chinese have been using herbs to treat disease and weight loss for thousands of years.

Natural weight loss supplements should be used as part of an overall weight loss program. Healthy weight loss consists of a three part approach. The other two elements to healthy weight loss include diet changes and a regular exercise program.

Dieting does not work. In order to effectively lose weight and keep it off involves lifestyle changes. The most important change is eating a diet that consists of natural foods.

A diet of natural foods consists of whole grains, beans, vegeatbles and fruit. It is best to avoid processed and prepared foods. A diet of natural foods has benefits other than weight loss.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind.

1- Home cooked meals are one of the best ways to lose weight. It’s just common sense. Home cooked meals will contain less fat and more nutrition when prepared properly. Because of this, you will be doing yourself more good than harm.

It is important to include whole grains, vegetables, beans and fruit. Your diet should consist of fresh food as opposed to

canned or frozen.

2- You should avoid fast food restaurants at all costs. These foods are highly processed and will only contribute to your weight and harm your health.

This first benefit you may notice is increased energy. Healthy weight loss can also reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. A healthy diet will help to lower your cholesterol.

A healthy weight loss effort includes a daily exercise program. This does not have to be complicated. As a matter of fact, it should be something that you enjoy.

You can walk, jog, run, swim or ride a bicycle. Your exercise program can include tennis or golf. What matters is that you have some sort of regular workout program for about one hour each day.

An interesting aspect about this type of program is that the weight loss is effortless. When you focus your efforts on lifestyle changes instead of dieting, the weight will come off by itself.

The key to making all this work is to dedicate yourself to transforming your lifestyle. Your focus is not on dieting and losing weight. When you implement this idea you will be on your way

to your target weight and improved health.