Ginseng may be considered one of the most well known Chinese herbs in the alternative medicine market. It has been used in China for many centuries because of the benefits that it brings to man. This root is commonly found in products that revive energy. It can increase stamina and vigor especially in men. Some varieties of ginseng are used to treat the common cold while others are used as a beauty enhancer. Aside from these advantages, ginseng may also be used to supplement a weight loss diet. Ginseng has the ability to act as a thermogenic. It increases bodily heat therefore increasing metabolism and the conversion of fat into muscle.
Recent research has found that the some varieties and components of this herb aid in treating obesity and diabetes. In December 2008, the Phytotheraphy Research Journal published the results of their study on ginseng for weight loss. The study confirmed that ginsenoside Rg3, a constituent of red ginseng, does not let the cells fully absorb and store fat. Wild ginseng also appeared to hinder obesity when extracts of the said variety were administered to obese mice during the study.
Dang shen is another variety of ginseng that is observed to have the same anti-obesity effect. The said variety can be found in most commercially sold weight loss supplements. Dang shen increases metabolism and improves digestion. It aids in the conversion of fat into muscle. It is also an energizer and is commonly given to those experiencing fatigue. Other than that, dang shen ginseng also has the ability to increase blood count and hemoglobin and is good for those with anemia. It is also used to help diabetics because of its ability to help the body replenish fluids. Ginseng lowers glucose levels in the blood that lessen the production of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that signals the body to store fat.
Ginseng is commercially sold in capsules or as tea. Only the scientifically tested varieties of ginseng are sold in herbal stores. It is usually recommended to take 200 milligrams a day. Ginseng cannot replace a weight loss diet and exercise regimen. Therefore, to get the most out of the weight loss benefits of ginseng, it should be taken while continuing the prescribed weight loss diet and exercise routine.
It should be noted that ginseng might produce side affects, although this is not the same in all people. Side effects include insomnia, skin rashes, diarrhea, and menstrual cycle irregularities in women. If there are no side effects encountered, dosage may be increased to 300 milligrams a day. As the body adjusts its system to the ginseng intake, vigorous exercise may be performed since ginseng has the ability to lessen feelings of fatigue.
Taking ginseng as tea may not be as effective. The undesirable taste makes consumers add sweeteners that eventually defeat the purpose of weight loss. If this is the case, artificial sweeteners may be used. Taking in ginseng while on other medications may also counter its weight loss effect.
Health and Fitness
You want to lose weight and are trying very hard to do what you have to do religiously. You watch what you eat. You count the calories. You go through an exercise regimen. You do everything to keep off the weight. There are, however, challenges that test you and your desire to keep good on the promise of losing the weight. These challenges are called weight loss sabotage.
Here are some examples of weight loss sabotage:
* Someone brings you a pot of home cooked food, which is intricately prepared.
* You are invited to a party where fried and fatty foods are served.
* People either laugh or frown at the idea of you trying to lose weight.
* An eye-roll as a reaction to you engaging in a weight loss program.
* You go to an all-you-can-eat buffet where all the food is tempting and scrumptious.
* Some people tell you negative things like the possibility of maintaining the desired weight after you shed some off.
* Some people will make fun of you by tempting to offer you sweets, chips and other food that you have been successful in not eating.
This so-called weight loss sabotage really dampens the spirits. You know that these run counter to what you hope to achieve. You may either feel encouraged enough to take the challenges or give up.
Should you decide to take the challenges and deal with weight loss sabotage, you have to have a fool-proof plan to face these challenges.
1. Be able to communicate what you feel with others. Talk to the people who do things that seem to belittle your effort to live a healthier lifestyle. The people may be your spouse, or a partner, or even close family member like parents and siblings. Let them know why you want to loss weight and how they can help you achieve positive results.
2. Ask people for support. Asking for support would probably stop the loss weight sabotage. You do not have to convince them why you need to loss weight; just let them know that you need their support.
3. Ask these people to join you in your journey to live a healthier life. You may even be able to encourage these people to join you in your journey of having a healthier lifestyle. Not only would the benefits be for you, but for them as well. In doing so, they understand you better. It is more fun too when you and your love ones do this together rather than facing the challenges alone.
4. Be strong enough to overcome the challenges to your goals. If, however, these people do not support you nor join your cause in losing weight, you have to be strong enough to stand up to the challenges and prove that you do have what it takes to lose the weight.
In dealing with weight loss sabotage, keeping sight of your goals and not giving up when there are challenges should always be your priority. You may feel that weight loss sabotage hinders you in reaching your ideal weight, but if you do not give these time to prosper, you will be successful in the end, despite the reactions of people around you.
If you’re skeptical about safe weight loss advertisements, which claim that you will lose an amazing amount of weight in just a few days, then you are on the right track. Safe and effective weight loss is gradual and involves practicing good health habits. Here are some guidelines to help you find a safe and healthy weight loss program:
1. Ask help from a doctor, nutritionist, physician or health care provider if you are planning on taking up a weight loss program. Some programs may not be good for those who are suffering from illnesses or experiencing certain conditions. Also, there are some weight loss programs that may not be effective at all or may cause more harm than good.
2. If you’re planning to take diet pills, know the intended effects as well as any side effects you may experience. Again, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional before taking any kind of pills, because they may interact with herbs and other medications you may be currently taking. It is safer, healthier and more
convenient if you modified the way you eat instead of using shortcut methods such as taking diet pills.
3. You could find free diet plans on the Internet or read about these in magazines, books and advertisements. Some of these are effective; however, make sure that you take in adequate nutrition when doing these diets, because some diet plans may cause you to miss out on important vitamins and nutrients that your body needs. Safe diet plans are those that reduce calories but include food from different food groups. For more effective results, consult your nutritionist.
4. A way of reducing weight safely is by monitoring your daily intake of food using a calorie counter. A calorie counter is a type of calculating device that is used to count the amount of calories that are present in different foods. You could go to sites on the Internet where you could input different foods and calculate the amount of calories present in them. You could also get charts that list the calories of foods, and you can calculate calories yourself.
5. Dieting will be more effective when done along with regular weight loss exercise routines. Consult with your exercise specialist when planning to do exercises specifically for weight loss. Some exercises are done specifically to deal with conditions of being overweight and obesity, while others are for different purposes such as muscle building, posture training, flexibility enhancement, and so on. Make use of exercise products and equipment properly in order to avoid injuries.
6. A safe weight loss program, as mentioned before, is gradual, and the maximum amount of weight you could shed in a week is about 3 pounds. Also, weight loss tends to slow down as time goes by. However, if exercise is constant and a low-calorie diet is maintained, the weight loss will be continuous even though it may take a long time for you to get to your ideal weight.
There are thousands of weight loss products out there, but resist the temptation of trying them right away, because they offer promises of rapid and effortless weight loss. After all, safe yet gradual weight loss programs are better than rapid yet risky ones.