Sometimes, you just want to speed up the rate at which you trim bodyfat. Used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program, the products shown on this page—available from the London Drugs pharmacy— may help you reach your weight loss goals. You should not use any of these products if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
1. Green Tea Extract
What it is: Green tea extract is a concentration of the same leaves that are used to make regular black tea. The difference is that green tea leaves are simply dried and not left to ferment and turn black.
What it does:The subject of many studies, green tea appears to speed up weight loss, particularly in the midsection. Although the results are not significant enough to make the consumption of green tea your only means of weight management, when used in conjunction with smart eating and increased activity, it may just be what you’re looking for.
Green tea contains high concentrations of compounds known as catching polyphenols. These increase thermogenesis—the process whereby heat is generated in the body by burning fuels such as fat. Green tea polyphenols also reduce fat absorption by inhibiting their breakdown in the digestive tract.i
2. CLA
What it is: CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is a “healthy fat” found in the meat and dairy products of sheep and cows that have been fed on pasture.
What it does: Supplementation with CLA has been shown to improve muscle-to-bodyfat ratio, and to decrease the deposition of fat, particularly on the stomach. CLA appears to achieve this by enhancing insulin sensitivity.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that a Scandinavian research team found CLA to increase the lean body mass while decreasing fat mass, when taken on a daily basis. The study participants also had lower blood fat and cholesterol levels after taking CLA.ii
3. Hoodia
What it is: Hoodia gordonii is a cactus-like plant that grows primarily in the semi deserts of South Africa. For thousands of years, the San Bushmen of the Kalahari desert relied on consuming hoodia to ward off hunger and thirst during their long hunting trips.
What it does:Hoodia works by suppressing the appetite. As it also suppresses thirst, it is important to stay well hydrated when taking this supplement. Although studies into the effects of hoodia are scarce, anecdotal evidence points to its success as a weight control supplement, when used as directed. Since hoodia may exert its effect by adjusting the brain’s response to blood sugar levels, it should not be used by people with diabetes.