Herbal Supplements for Weight Loss and Their Mode of Action

Herbal Supplements for Weight Loss and Their Mode of Action

Herbs that are used for weight loss are also purported to maintain efficient metabolism in the body and maintain the natural breakdown of fats. Below is a list of popular but controversial herbal supplements for weight loss along with their mode of action and effectiveness.

Hoodia gordonii - This is a succulent herb from the deserts of southern Africa known to suppress appetite. Its active ingredient, a molecule named P57, affects the part of the brain that controls appetite by responding to levels of blood glucose. According to a human trial, it suppresses appetite to the extent that the daily calorie intake of obese volunteers dropped by 1000 calories. However, this 'long on hype but short on proof'miracle weight loss pill did not yield expected results.

Cissus quadrangularis - Also known as CQ, this herb is a succulent vine from Africa and Asia. Although all parts of the plant are used in medicine, it has insufficient scientific evidence for weight loss, according to RxList. However, an Iranian study found significant decrease in body fat with CQ as there was 'significant decrease in triceps skin fold thickness indicating high loss of fat' without much adverse effects. Waist size also decreased significantly. CQ seems to be safe when used in adults for up to 6 to 8 weeks. Side effects such as headache, flatulence, dry mouth, diarrhea and insomnia may be experienced by some people.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia, karela) - Bitter melon, a tropical vine of the watermelon family, is the most bitter of all vegetables. The fruit has high therapeutic value. It is supposed to be one of the best herbal medicines for managing metabolic syndrome, especially diabetes. It is also a very good herb for controlling weight gain. A study from Taiwan, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, has shown that bitter melon extracts contain bioactive compounds that activate the enzyme AMPK, a protein that regulates fuel metabolism and improves glucose uptake. The scientists found that this Chinese traditional herbal medicine 'can reduce insulin resistance as effective as the anti-diabetic drug TZD'. The AMPK suppresses the body fat accumulation and decreases fat cells. This herb is said to have no side effects.

Green tea - Green tea aqueous extract boosts metabolism and help burn fat according to many clinical studies. The researchers suggested that polyphenols (catechins) are responsible for green tea's fat-burning effect. Scientists from Ain Shams University, Cairo, compared the effects of black tea aqueous extract (BTE) and green tea aqueous extract (GTE) at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight given orally for 28 consecutive days on experimental animals. They found that 'both tea extracts significantly alleviated most signs of the metabolic syndrome including hyperglycemia (resulting from type 1 and 2 diabetes), dyslipidemia and impairment of liver functions induced by alloxan or the cholesterol-rich diet'. They supported the hypothesis that both black tea and green tea have beneficial effects against risks of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Garcinia cambogia - Garcinia or mangosteen, is a herb that is grown for its fruit in southeast Asia and parts of Africa. In Indian traditional medicine, it is used to treat edema, rheumatism, delayed menstruation, and bowel disorders. Hydroxycitric acid, the active ingredient in Garcinia, suppresses appetite and reduces the body's ability to form body fats by inhibiting the conversion of excess calories (carbohydrates) to body fat, thus preventing obesity. However, a 12-week, double-blind, controlled trial conducted by researchers from Obesity Research Center, St Luke''s-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, found that Garcinia 'failed to produce significant weight loss and fat mass loss beyond that observed with placebo'.

Dandelion - Dandelion originated in Europe but has now naturalized in many countries. It is one of the most valued herb for treating gall bladder, spleen and liver complaints and one of the safest plant diuretic. It is used as herb for weight loss because it may produce significant weight loss by decreasing body water. In Ayurveda, the herb is also used as a blood purifier since it is thought to remove toxins from the body and helps with the digestion of fats. The root extracts from dandelion increase bile production and aid digestion of foods that cause bloating and flatulence. However, heartburn and allergic reactions have been reported as side effects of dandelion.

Guggul - Guggul extract is the resin from the mukul myrrh (Comminphora mukul). It is used in Ayurvedic medicine for weight loss, elevated cholesterol and weight loss. It aids in weight loss by stimulating thyroid function. The University of Michigan Health System reported that guggul is more effective when taken with phosphate salts, tyrosine and hydroxycitrate. Exercise is, of course, a must. However, clinical trials failed to find guggul effective for weight loss. Caution: People with chronic diarrhea, liver disease or Crohn's disease should not take guggul.

5-HTP (5-L-Hydroxytryptophan) - 5-HTP is an extract from the seed of the West African plant, Griffonia simplicifolia, and it is useful in raising serotonin levels in the brain. This is how it works - L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that converts into 5-HTP in the body, which in turn is converted into serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Low level of serotonin is associated with anxiety and depression, carbohydrate cravings and weight gain as well as sleep disorders.

Reference:

1. A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of obesity - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2705729/?tool=pubmed)
2. Herbal preparations for obesity: are they useful? - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14567158)
3. Health benefits of herbs and spices: the past, the present, the future. - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17022438)
4. CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS - (http://www.rxlist.com/cissus_quadrangularis/supplements.htm#WhatIs)
5. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) inhibits adipocyte hypertrophy and down regulates lipogenic gene expression in adipose tissue of diet-induced obese rats - (http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FBJN%2FBJN99_02%2FS0007114507793947a.pdfcode=73fcf9671220f37a799cf8f415584175)
6. Modulatory effects of black v. green tea aqueous extract on hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and liver dysfunction in diabetic and obese rat models - (http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FBJN%2FBJN102_11%2FS000711450999208Xa.pdfcode=709ac4bd7b888c58799cf8f415584175)
7. Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial. - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9820262)
8. Safety of green tea extracts : a systematic review by the US Pharmacopeia. - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18484782)
9. Acute hepatitis associated with Colpachi intake. Apropros of 5 cases - (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17335712)
10. Potentially life-threatening herbs: Reported cases in MEDLINE of liver toxicity, renal toxicity, cardiotoxicity, cancer, and death. - (http://www2.hawaii.edu/~amybrown/PotentiallyHarmfulHerbList%20-%20Table.pdf)