Top 5 Herbs and Supplements for Quick Weight Loss
One of the top questions that I'm asked when speaking at events is, "What is the best and quickest way to lose weight?"
Many of us packed on the pounds while in quarantine. It was hard not to, because we were home, surrounded by an abundance of food, day in and day out! In a survey by OnePoll on behalf of Nutrisystem, they found that 76% of respondents, admitted to having gained up to 16lbs while home during the pandemic 😳😳😳.
Also, a survey of 2000 Americans, found that 63% of people are now focused on a "post-quarantine" body, rather than a "summer body".
It is also very common that when people are in stressful situations, they tend to eat more and exercise less. Researchers have even linked weight gain to stress, despite that fact that in the short term, stress can actually shut down the appetite temporarily.
According to an October 2020 Harvard Article, "During states of stress, the nervous system sends messages to the adrenal glands to pump out the hormone epinephrine (also known as adrenaline). Epinephrine helps trigger the body's fight or flight response, a revved-up physiological state that temporarily puts eating on hold. But, if stress persists, the adrenal glands release another hormone called cortisol, which is a hormone that increases appetite."
They also went on to say that high cortisol levels, in combination with high insullin levels, have been shown in animals, to increase the intake of foods high in fat, sugar or both. Eating these "comfort foods" will only contribute to craving more of these foods, subsequently leading to weight gain.
There are many ways to relieve stress and lose weight, but for the purpose of this article, we will focus on herbal methods and trusted supplements. Many herbs and supplements will assist with decreasing appetite, burning body fat and overall weight loss. The good part is, some of these herbs and supplements, we may already have at home in our fridge or pantry!
Sea Moss - Sea Moss helps with weight loss because it contains citrulline and arginine, compounds that stimulates the metabolism. Sea Moss also acts as soluable fiber, and helps to keep you full and helps stool move through the GI tract.
African Hoodia - Hoodia tends to trick your brain into thinking you're full. In a report published in an issue of brain research, David MacLean, MD, an adjunct associate professor at Brown University, reported that a molecule in hoodia, called P57, likely has an effect on the brain's hypothalamus, which helps regulate appetite. Hoodia's weight loss effects were attributed to its use by the San people of the Kalahari Desert, who gnawed on the plant to block hunger and increase energy when on long hunting expeditions.
Cayenne Pepper - Cayenne Pepper is another herb that helps to curb your appetite, speed up your metabolism, and help you burn calories due to its capsaicin, the main active ingredient in Cayenne Pepper. Also, a 2014 study published on pubmed.gov, showed that people who consumed cayenne pepper with every meal, felt increased feelings of fullness and had fewer cravings.
Fenugreek Seeds - I have been taking Fenugreek Seeds on an empty stomach for years, ever since an older gentleman of Indian decent, told me that his secret for a flat stomach at age 68, was chewing fenugreek seeds every morning on an empty stomach, that had been soaked in water overnight! After researching the benefits of FenugreekSeeds, I also discovered that they contain Galactomannan, a compound in Fenugreek Seeds that slows down the rate at which sugar is absorbed in the blood. This helps to prevent weight gain.
Blackseed oil - According to the Egyptians, Blackseed oil is good for everything except death! Studies have shown that taking 1 gram of Blackseed oil 3 times per day, significantly increases weight loss, decreases waist circumference and helps to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
The aforementioned herbs and supplements will help with weight loss, but only lifestyle changes such as exercise, keeping stress at a minimum, and eating a healthy, balanced, mostly plant based diet, will keep the weight off! 70% of how we look, is based on what we eat, and while the herbs are great, always remember, what you eat in private, you wear in public!
Written by: Chasity Lindsey aka The Pure Energy Queen @pureenergyqueen on IG, FB & Twitter!