By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist for the Herbarium
The coronavirus continues.
This situation is most troubling. As I prepare this column in early June Covid-19 cases have gone down, but by the time you read it in July they may be up again. Shops, restaurants and other establishments are opening up, but customers are still reticent about coming out. Things continue to develop daily, so the best we can do is prepare for some sort of normalcy.
That being said, how about getting ready for the beach or lake? Many of us have gained the “quarantine 15”, or as I call it, the “covid 19”.
Not the beach body you want?
I imagine we have all put on a few pounds during the extended stay- at-home (and eat) orders from Gov. Charlie Baker, and yes, there are many weight loss plans out there.
I, however, have always been wary of the one-size fits all approach to weight loss. My favorite scam is the one product that will “shed the pounds” and you don’t have to diet or exercise.
Oh, please...
I also am very skeptical of the ads that tout a wonder product that is “all herbal, all natural and boosts your energy.” This product line uses something called “thermogenics”. Thermogenics means the tendency to produce heat through metabolic stimulation.
These products depend on caffeine, ephedrine and salicylates. While there is some evidence these products can help reduce your appetite and boost metabolism, the effect is relatively small and short-lived. A big problem that comes about is caffeine and ephedrine raise blood pressure and can cause rapid heart beats.
Overweight people tend to have high blood pressure and do not need something that causes heart issues.
You see the problem.
Herbal help for your weight loss
Here at The Herbarium, we try to match an herbal product with the person. Are they carb sensitive? Nervous or bored eaters? Looking for an appetite suppressant?
What follows below is a short list of some of the more popular and safe products that can help get rid of those few extra pounds:
Garcinia cambogia: helps inhibit the conversion of carbohydrates into fat and turns off the hunger signal when combined with chromium.
Forskolin: Coleus forskohlii reduces fat and increases the perception of satiety.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): helps reduce body fat and retain lean muscle. It also seems to target the midsection.
African Mango: a soluble fiber slows digestion and the absorption of dietary sugars. It also helps lower LDL and triglycerides.
Glucomannan: also known as konjac root. A water soluble fiber that helps create the “full” feeling.
Green coffee bean extract: reduces absorption of fat and glucose in the gut and helps reduce insulin levels. The caffeine amount is very low.
Hoodia: A South African plant that helps increase the satisfied message from the liver to the brain. You stop eating because you think you are full.
Holy Basil: It’s not usually associated with weight loss, as it is a mood elevator but if you are a bored, blue or nervous eater, this might be one to try. When you are stressed you produce a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol seems to contribute to weight gain around the midsection. Cortisol also increases blood sugar levels and inflammation, so trying Holy Basil could kill two or more birds with one stone as it were.
7-Keto DHEA increases metabolism without stimulant side effects. Combining this with the keto diet could help bring some good results.
I don’t recommend...
And then there are these questionable ‘natural’ weight loss aids:
Chitosan: This is interesting. Chitosan binds to fat, allowing it to pass through the digestive tract. While this sounds good in small amounts, it could cause some other issues.
Do you remember something called Olestra? It was added to many foods to allow people to eat junk food without the added weight gain. The problem was people went overboard eating too much of the wrong foods and experienced what was described as ”oily discharge”. You get the picture.
Raspberry ketones: This is a product that never made sense to me. In 40 years of dealing with natural products this stuff showed up out of nowhere and was touted as a great weight loss product. First, they were not natural. Second, they all came from China. Third, they were a flavoring agent. The research on this stuff was sketchy at best. We have always suggested staying away from it.
There are many more products that have a good track record for weight loss. You have to find the one that suits you best. We have a full list of natural items that can be used in your search for the best weight loss, but remember that diet and exercise still play very important roles in getting the results you are looking for.
— Jonathan
Send questions on botanical remedies to: Natures Rx: Jonathan Evans at herbarium258@gmail.com, or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 264 Exchange Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. If requesting additional info, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
