Natural Supplements are now more accepted by the medical community.

If you go into any health food store or look online, you'll find hundreds of weight loss supplements, many of them claiming to have remarkable benefits. Although it's tempting to try new supplements, the possible side effects and safety concerns aren't always listed. And while some of them may be promising, others can do more harm than good. Here's information about some of the more popular weight loss supplements.

Note: just like any drug natural supplements are "natural drugs" and you should consult your physician before taken them as part of any weight loss program.

GREEN TEA EXTRACT

Green tea contains compounds called catechins, a class of antioxidants which have been associated with an increased metabolism and the ability to stimulate fat burning. In a 2005 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a group of men who consumed 690 milligrams of green tea extract per day lost more weight in three months than a control group (an average of 5.3 pounds versus. 2.9 pounds). Previous studies have shown that green tea causes weight loss in women, too.

GUARANA

Guarana is a plant native to parts of the Amazon rain forest. It has black seeds that are rich in caffeine, with approximately double the caffeine of coffee beans. The caffeine is a stimulant and is thought to raise energy expenditure, however, it could also stimulate the central nervous system and heart, and may result in anxiety and rapid heart rate in larger amounts.

BITTER ORANGE

After ephedra was taken off the market in 2004, bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) a herb similar to ephedra, started to become more popular. It contains compounds similar to ephedrine called synephrine and octopamine. Bitter orange may raise blood pressure, increase heart rate or cause abnormal heart rhythms.

GARCINIA CAMBOGIA

The Hydroxycitric Acid found in Garcinia Cambogia has several different effects on the body. The most notable of these effects is its ability to inhibit the uptake of carbohydrates that are stored in the body as fat. By prohibiting the fat storage, the carbs are burned as energy thereby increasing energy levels and decreasing fat levels. HCA also works to prevent cravings for sugar heavy and carbohydrate heavy foods, balance the blood sugar levels, and increase the serotonin levels in the brain which signal to us that we are full faster.

5-HTP

The principle behind 5-HTP for weight loss is that it seems to have a marked effect on the chemical Serotonin which is naturally produced in the brain. Serotonin plays an intricate part in the mechanisms of sleep, mood and hunger. 5-HTP has been used in studies to help people in the fight against obesity. There is sufficient evidence to prove that 5-HTP, when used as a dietary supplement, will work as an effective weight loss aid.

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