|
There are many products, both prescription and non-prescription, available for weight loss today. The sea of products can be difficult to navigate. And who is to say that one even NEEDS a weight loss supplement to lose weight anyway? It is my personal, professional opinion that the vast majority of weight loss remedies available are unnecessary and even harmful. Most products available are manmade chemicals that unnaturally alter the way our bodies work, causing us to lose weight temporarily. Most weight loss remedies are simply a band aid that overlooks the root cause of the weight problem.
This being said, there are a few weight loss products that may be beneficial, specifically if they target the root of the weight problem. Determining the root of your weight problems could take some investigation and the help of a good doctor. It may be beneficial to seek the opinion of several doctors, including an naturopathic doctor (ND). The doctor you work with should look at a variety of factors that could contribute to weight gain such as medications you are taking, stress factors, inactivity and improper diet. Your doctor should also consider possible hormonal imbalances (such as thyroid, testosterone, progesterone, estrogen and DHEA to name a few).
If you and your doctor look at your diet and determine that you may be deficient in fatty acids such as linoleic acid, a supplement containing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may be beneficial. CLA is a fatty acid that is found in dairy products and beef. It is thought that CLA may shrink fat tissue. Studies have shown that taking 0.7 to 4.5 grams/day of CLA may significantly decrease body fat. It may also help reduce hunger and help one feel full after meals.
Although promising, there is much research to be done on the long term safety of supplementing with CLA. There have been reports of CLA raising blood sugar which can in turn raise insulin levels and may ultimately contribute to insulin resistance and weight GAIN, especially in the abdomen. There have also been reports of CLA lowering levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and increasing CRP (a marker for inflammation in the body).
Given these possible side effects, one should not take CLA without first talking with their health care professional. These are potentially serious side effects that in the long run could ultimately thwart long term weight loss and health.
Author: Christi Larson, Pharm. D.
Dr. Larson is a pharmacist, author of Empowered Medicine; A Guide for Consumers and creator of Empowered Medicine. You can read more about her by visiting www.EmpoweredMedicine.com and clicking on the 'About Us' tab. EmpoweredMedicine.com is committed to providing evidence-based medical information from a pharmacist's point of view.
|
