Showing posts with label natural. Show all posts
Showing posts with label natural. Show all posts
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Natural Weight Loss Natural aids to weight loss
Once you decide on an eating and exercise plan, there are extra measures you can take to boost your weigh-loss efforts. Herbs and supplements can help turn fat into muscle, reduce appetite and boost energy and endurance levels. Many herbs boost your metabolism and resting thermogenesis (resting metabolism).
Black walnut
Black walnut is famous for its cleansing properties. It helps add motion to the large intestine and eliminates build-ups in the bowel. Herbalists classify it as an astringent because it is rich in tannin, which helps to tone the body.
Guggulsterones
Guggul has been used in ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. It is known for increasing the thyroid glands actions to boost metabolism and it is stimulant-free. Studies have shown it reduces cholesterol and can help reduce body fat levels.
HCA
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is used in Indian and Thai food as a condiment. It acts as an appetite suppressant and stops carbohydrates being turned to fat in the liver. Animal studies show HCA could reduce fat production from 40 to 70 per cent for up to 12 hours after eating.
Carb blockers
Carbohydrate blockers contain white kidney bean extract, which interferes with alpha-amylase, an enzyme in the body which breaks down carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are excreted before they enter the bloodstream. Finney advocates eating a good mix of carbohydrates and protein, rather than using carbohydrate blockers. "You will lose weight quickly, but the weight loss is unsustainable."
Amino acids
Body builders have been using amino acids for years to sculpt and tone their bodies. Amino acids are particularly helpful for those who are doing a lot of exercise as they are the building blocks for protein, and are needed to build and repair muscle.
Chromium and magnesium
Magnesium has been found to raise the resting metabolism of obese people. Chromium picolinate not only works as an appetite suppressant, it helps curb cravings. Naturopath Aimee Robbins says increased chromium levels help muscle cells and the liver store more glucose, boost energy levels and reduce body fat. "High glucose storage in the liver also reduces hunger pains and the desire for food."
Dandelion
This herb cleanses the liver and kidneys, while removing excess fluids. Its good for those on a low-carb diet, where its important to keep the organs of elimination flushed. A study on mice saw them lose 30 per cent of their body weight when fed dandelion over a 30-day period.
Brindleberry
Brindleberry has been used in Thai and Indian cuisine for years and is probably the best herb to suppress your appetite between meals. "It should be used with chromium to assist increased muscle and liver uptake of glucose," Robbins says.
Guarana
Guarana is one of the richest sources of caffeine - it has three times as much as coffee - which is why it suppresses the appetite. Because of its stimulating effect it helps burn fat, is a tonic and diuretic and boosts energy.
Drink yourself slim
Tea boosts the metabolism, flushes out toxins and curbs hunger pangs. The caffeine increases body function to help burn kilojoules and the polyphenols aid fat digestion. The weight-loss benefits of green tea are well known, but oolong, brindleberry, dandelion, St Marys thistle, globe artichoke and guarana teas also help shed kilos.
Spice up your food
Forget flavouring your food with salt. Try adding some herbs and spices. Research shows most herbs are rich in antioxidants, which support weight loss. Try allspice, basil, cloves, coriander, dill, fennel leaves, mint, nutmeg, parsley, rosemary or sage. Cinnamon is another winner that enhances insulin activity.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
7 Foods That Are Great For Natural Weight Loss
I healed my body naturally from chronic disease, and in the process lost over 60 pounds, without drugs, deprivation or surgery. Along the way, I discovered that some foods are healing and have the ability to promote health within our bodies, while others can actually cause harm and create weight gain.
Here are some of my personal favorite healing foods that can promote health and support natural weight loss.
1. Broth
When my body broke down, I was bedridden for weeks. As part of my journey back to health, I felt very fortunate to discover the healing power of broth.
Broth can be made easily by cooking chopped organic vegetables in water, until they are super soft. (Bonus points if your vegetables are also local!) Leave six hours or overnight. Then drain the liquid, heat it up, and voila! Your soup broth is ready to drink. Add sea salt and pepper for taste if you want.
You can eat the cooked vegetables seasoned with fresh herbs. (You can also add fish, meat or grains to your broth depending on your preferences.) This can be very healing for your body, since its easy to digest, and also hydrating.
2. Extra virgin coconut oil
Many health experts agree that coconut oil is as close to a superfood that you can get. High in lauric acid (found naturally in breast milk), extra virgin coconut oil is anti-aging, moisturizing, and healing. Its the only oil that you should ever cook with since it stays stable when heated to high temperatures.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is produced through the fermentation of fresh apple cider. Its a rich source of minerals (particularly potassium), vitamins, enzymes and amino acids. Apple cider vinegar is a potent and versatile healing substance and can be applied topically or diluted and taken internally.
Always choose good quality apple cider vinegar made from organically grown apples and aged in wooden barrels. It should be pungent and when held up to the light, you should be able to see a cobweb like formation, called the “mother” suspended in the liquid. Its evidence of the vinegar’s naturalness.
4. Cinnamon
It may be hard to believe that something that tastes so delicious is also so good for your body. Eating cinnamon has the ability to regulate your blood sugars, which is an important part of the weight loss process. Generously sprinkle cinnamon on your cereal or add it to your smoothies for a flavor injection.
5. Lemons
Lemons are naturally detoxifying and have an alkalizing effect on your body. This makes them an ideal weight loss food. Each day upon waking, drink a glass of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon. For a delicious, yet healthy taste, squeeze fresh lemon juice onto your food just before serving.
6. Fresh juices
Drinking a selection of fresh fruit and vegetable juices in your day, your body will certainly feel the benefit. Fresh juices are a powerful way to increase your intake of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. You can juice most fruits and vegetables. I try to choose the greenest, water-rich and most alkalizing ones for my own juices, using some (or all!) of the following: spinach or cucumber, celery, pears, apples, ginger and lemon.
7. Fresh greens and vegetables
I encourage you to try a wide variety of fresh greens and vegetables to find all the ones you like. Always eat your greens according to the seasons. Some of my favorites are baby spinach, parsley, basil green leaves, broccoli, celery, cucumber, and chard.
Healing foods are found everywhere in nature.
Always listen to your body and let it guide you. Your body knows best how to heal itself naturally. Eating healing foods will help.
I hope that this article inspires you to start eating more fresh, local foods so that you can experience the incredible joy that comes from feeling healthy and losing weight naturally, without diets, deprivation or restrictions. If youd like to learn more about healing your body, mind and emotions, please click here to download a free chapter of my book, Losing Weight is a Healing Journey.
By Katrina Love Senn
Source; http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-13168/7-foods-that-are-great-for-natural-weight-loss.html
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