Herbal weight loss supplements have become so popular in the last decade that manufacturers are spinning out more and more products and this leaves us, the consumers, confused by the choices. The cactus Hoodia Gordonni found in selected places in Africa is used to stop users feeling hungry for example. This clever plant fools the brain into believing the blood sugar levels are higher than they real are thus suppressing the desire to eat and as been used by local tribes for centuries.
People who use Guarana find that the caffeine it contains helps to speed up their metabolism in an effort to burn off calories but it is a diuretic as well. While this herbal weight loss supplement is very effective, it is not without side effects and some users report they feel light headed, sometimes nauseous, anxious and a rise in blood pressure can also be seen.
One particular herb that has been used for many years is dandelion which also has a diuretic effect which is not too much of a problem although some allergic reactions to its use have been reported. While it is very effective at reducing the amount of fluid in the body, this herbal supplement is not designed to be used on daily basis.
Cascara is a laxative used in many weight loss supplements but any laxative will help a person lose weight just like any other form of ‘purging’ the body of waste and toxins. However, any form of laxative, herbal or otherwise should be used with caution as these products also remove healthy bacteria and essential nutrients when used regularly.
One particularly popular herbal weight loss supplement is the extract that can be obtained from green tea which can be found in many products including drinks, vitamins and even as a concentrate in a tablet. Like many weight loss supplements, green tea is more successful when used in combination with a diet based on healthy eating and exercise.
Despite the large sums of money spent by people on natural weight loss products, there is still little proof that they are effective in the long term. Herbal products are also expensive and some experts believe this popularity is feeding the bank accounts of many large companies who are capitalizing on this with expensive supplements like Hoodia for example, which can often cost in the region of 50 dollars for every month it is used. The real truth is that herbal weight loss supplements do have their place but they should not be relied upon to control weight on their own but should be part of a regime which promotes healthy eating and exercise.
