danmirage
-
Total Posts
:
6088
-
Reward points
:
10
- Joined: 11/20/2005
-
Status: offline
|
RE: Magic Pills for fat loss?
-
Sunday, March 25, 2007 11:45 PM
Khart. I am sure you have worked hard, but I have to warn you...the supplement has dangers - mentioned later. Weight loss should not be the goal, fat loss should: not water, muscle, bone or organ weight. Have you tracked your lean body mass. If not, you should. If you are losing anything but fat, then I am afraid it may backfire. I only say that so if it is the case, you don't have to get worried. You will know what happened and can quickly adjsut diet and training to fix it. The next trick will be when you stop taking the stimulant and your adrenal system is pooped and does not kick in to pick up where the stimulant left off. Yes, it can cause adrenal exhaustion. Most people experience a severe and even depressing loss of vigour and energy at the sessation of use of these pills. There are also some other health risks to consider. Hypertension being one. If you had done this naturally, you would simply have lost the weight and then eased off on training and gone into a maintenance phase. However, when you stop the stimulant your metabolism may tank and your energy may plummit. Just be aware. You need to set up a schedule of eating right and exercising to build up your immune, adrenal, and energy systems again. This can take as much as 6 weeks. Get your blood pressure checked. OK..well here we go... Thermokinetic SUPPLEMENT FACTS: Serving Size: 3 capsules 120 Capsules Per Bottle Coleus Forskohlii (20%) 100mg Guggul Lipid Extract (10%) 100mg Proprietary Blend: 1900mg
Yohimbe Extract, Citrus Aurantium, Caffeine Anhydrous, L- Tyrosine, Guarana Extract (22%), Ginkgo Biloba Extract, White Willow Bark, Ginger Root, Cayenne. In short...Simulants, caffeine..lots of caffeine, aspirin, plus some fluff. Commiphora mukul or Guggul
I have glanced over literature. The supplement sellers rave about it, the scientific literature is lukewarm at best.
In Ayervedic practice, it has traditionally been combined with other herbs for the treatment of arthritis, skin diseases, pains in the nervous system, obesity, digestive problems, infections in the mouth, and menstrual problems.
In clinical trials of standardized guggul extract (not synthetic), no significant side effects other than occasional mild gastrointestinal distress or allergic skin rashes have been seen. Laboratory tests conducted in the course of these trials did not reveal any alterations in liver or kidney function, blood cell numbers and appearance, heart function, or blood chemistry.
Three double-blind studies performed in India found evidence that guggul can reduce cholesterol levels. However, the largest placebo-controlled study failed to find benefit. In fact, the herb seemed to worsen levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. The reason for this discrepancy is not clear.
Drugs in the statin family used to reduce cholesterol can cause a potentially serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, in which muscle fibers break down. One case report hints that this could occur with guggul as well.
Bianchi A, Cantu P, Firenzuoli F, et al. Rhabdomyolysis caused by Commiphora mukul, a natural lipid-lowering agent. Ann Pharmacother. 2004;38:1222-5.
Finally the latest review of literature:
Guggul for hyperlipidemia: a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.
Complement Ther Med. 2005 Dec;13(4):279-90. Epub 2005 Sep 23
"At this time, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of guggul for any medical condition. Guggul may cause stomach discomfort or allergic rash as well as other serious side effects and interactions. It should be avoided in pregnant or breast-feeding women and in children. Safety of use beyond 4 months has not been well studied."
Over fatness and Obesity are medical conditions...
Supposedly, it works by enhancing thyroid function. However, there is little evidence that natural guggul actually affects the thyroid, and one small double-blind, placebo-controlled trial failed to find it effective for weight loss. Even if it did affect the thyroid..YOU DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH THYROID FUNCTION!
Coleus Forskohlii
Forskolin is a chemical found in the coleus herb that activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase. Andenylate cyclase compound initiates a myriad of critical events and processes within all the cells of the human body. Adenylate cyclase and the chemicals it activates are responsible for executing a number of important hormonal processes. Stimulation that is caused by forskolin supposedly leads to blood vessel dilation, inhibition of allergic reactions, and possibly an increased secretion of thyroid hormone. Forskolin has other reported uses as well, including inhibition of the pro-inflammatory substance known as platelet-activating factor (PAF) 6 and inhibition of the spread of cancer cells.
It has been reported that forskolin may also assist in dilating blood vessels and improving the forcefulness with which the heart pumps blood. Some studies have indicated that forskolin may help to reduce blood pressure and improved heart function in people with cardiomyopathy. However, there is no clear evidence as to whether or not oral supplementation with coleus.
Yohimbe Extract
Yohimbe is made from the bark of the Pausinystalia johimbe tree found in Africa. Among its chemical constituents, it contains the chemical, yohimbine, which is an FDA-approved drug that is marginally effective for male erectile dysfunction.
Citrus Aurantium or Synephrine
Once the supplement manufacturers were forewarned that Ephedra was to be pulled, they knew they needed another magic formula. Since ephedra was originally from a decongestant...they thought to search there first. Enter the ex-nasal spray ingredient ..remember neo-synephrine? Enter Synephrine as the new fat loss supplement.
There is no reliable evidence that Synephrine is effective, and considerable reason to worry that it may cause harm. The reassuring statement made by some manufacturers that Synephrine offers the "benefits of ephedra without the risks" is not supported by scientific evidence.
A Special note on synephrine - You might feel warm after taking synephrine..that is the constriction of the blood vessels. Constricted blood vessels equals restricted blood flow, and that's the complete opposite of what you want if you're looking to optimize fat burning, yet it may cause a sensation of heat.
Then there is humor in the claims of "abundant research" on the fat burning effectiveness...it was found to effectively kill mosquitoes and...
Here is the research that is cited to "clinically prove" it is effective for fat loss:
Park JH, Keeley LL. The effect of biogenic amines and their analogs on carbohydrate metabolism in the fat body of Blaberus discoidalis. Gen Comp Endocrinol 1998 Apr;110(1):88-95
Does this study prove that synephrine will burn fat in your body? Only if you fall into the species categorized as Blaberus discoidalis. Allow me translate Blaberus discoidalis into its more recognizable term. ****roach!
The drug synephrine is known to produce many unpleasant and possibly dangerous side effects, including headache, agitation, rapid heart rate, and heart palpitations. In some people, it can cause angina pectoris, kidney damage, increased pressure in the eye, and reduced blood circulation to the heart and the extremities.
An even less reliable study evaluated the synephrine constituent of Citrus aurantium and found possible "fat burning" actions.
Hedrei P, Gougeon R. Thermogenic effect of beta-sympathicomimetic compounds extracted from Citrus aurantium. McGill Nutrition and Food Science Center, Royal Victoria Hospital. 1997.
In view of the weakness of the evidence in favor of Citrus aurantium, and the considerable evidence that it presents health risks, I recommend against using it for fat loss.
Caffeine Anhydrous & Guarana Extract
Caffeine.
L- Tyrosine
Tyrosine has been proposed as a treatment for various conditions in which mental function is impaired or slowed down, such as fatigue and depression.
White Willow Bark
Think- aspirin. Anti-inflammitory and Increases blood flow.
Ginkgo Biloba Extract
Ginkgo biloba extract is widely used for increasing cognitive functions in elderly people, delaying the progression of Alzheimer's disease, increasing blood flow to the legs, treating tinnitus (ringing in the ear) of a circulatory origin, as well as treating depression and asthma.
Ginkgo may have some undesirable effects, especially for individuals with blood circulation disorders and those taking anti-coagulants such as aspirin…
|