The TOTAL Solution For The Weight Loss Impaired : SUPPLEMENTS TO ASSIST WITH WEIGHT LOSS

Let’s begin this discussion with the supplements that are basically stimulants. These include ephedra (ma huang), kola nut, guarana, yerba mate’ and caffeine. I recommend against using any kind of stimulant to promote weight loss for two reasons. First, such products have potential health risks such as high blood pressure, tachycardia (elevated heart rate), insomnia, and stroke. Second, although these products do usually stimulate weight loss initially, in the long run they actually hinder weight loss and discontinuation of these products is typically followed by rapid weight gain. Why? The primary reason is that these products place a tremendous load on the adrenal glands. As was discussed earlier in this book, if you overload the adrenal glands, high cortisol levels and low adrenaline levels are the result. In addition, the insomnia that stimulants often produce leads to poor growth hormone function. This combination of high cortisol and low adrenaline and growth hormone spells big trouble for anyone trying to lose weight. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of using stimulants for weight loss.


So, what supplements are there that can safely enhance weight loss? Well, first of all we need a reality check. Supplements should be considered an aid for weight loss, not a weight loss program in and of themselves. Even the most useful of the weight loss supplements provide only very modest benefits when used alone, without also being on a good diet and exercise regimen. To get the most from weight loss aids, you also need diet and exercise. No matter how convincing the hype may be for a weight loss supplement, there really is no “magic pill” that eliminates the need for diet and exercise.


That being said, there are some herbs and nutrients that do appear to enhance the weight loss effects of diet and exercise through either appetite suppression, increased metabolism, or the blocking of fat absorption from the digestive tract.. Here’s a rundown of things that may help:



Chitosan is a substance found in the shells of shrimp and other shellfish, so it should not be used by people with shellfish allergies. Chitosan assists in weight loss by binding fat in the digestive tract and keeps it from being absorbed. This in effect lowers the calories consumed in each meal. It should be noted though that chitosan can produce loose stools and occasionally a temporary loss of bowel control. There is also a potential for deficiencies of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K to develop with long-term use of chitosan. For these reasons, I do not recommend chitosan, but if you feel you must use it, a reasonably safe dosage is 1500 to 3000 mg per day split into doses taken with 8 ounces of water before meals.


Chromium nicotinate can be taken at a level of 200 to 400 mg per day, preferably split into two or more doses taken with meals. It should be noted that this recommendation is for chromium nicotinate, NOT picolinate. Although chromium picolinate is often promoted as a supplement for weight loss, the research on the picolinate form for weight loss has been contradictory, but there has been consistent indication that the nicotinate form does enhance weight loss.


CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid can be taken in doses of 300 to 600 mg taken before each meal (no more than 1800 mg per day).


Green tea extract can be taken in total dosages of 100 to 400 mg per day, also recommended to be split into two or more doses per day and taken between meals. Look for standardized extracts containing at least
90% total catechins for best results. Although the naturally-occurring caffeine in green tea tends to increase the effects of the catechins,
because of the previously described effects on the adrenals from long-
term use of stimulants, it is recommended that decaffeinated green tea extract be used.


Hoodia gordonii is one of the most popular weight-loss aids currently on the market. Real hoodia is a relatively rare plant, and is therefore a rather expensive supplement. Unfortunately, because of this, many



products are being marketed using the hoodia name that contain little or no real hoodia. The real stuff does very effectively suppress appetite
and can be a valuable weight loss aid. There are numerous products on the market, some in liquid extract form and others in pill form. I recommend the liquid extracts, but the pill forms seem to work just fine,
provided it is a legitimate hoodia supplement. For liquids, I suggest using 30 drops or so 1 to 2 times per day before your afternoon and/or evening meal (this would be for a 20 to 1 extract). For pills, I suggest a
dosage of 500 to 1000 mg per day, taken in one or two doses before meals.


Hydroxycitric acid assists in weight loss by stimulating glycogen production and storage, which in turn suppresses appetite. The recommended dosage is 500 to 1000 mg per day split into doses taken
30 to 60 minutes before each meal.


L-Leucine or BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acids) can be used in dosages of 1200 to 3000 mg per day for the purpose of fat burning and muscle building. It is recommended to split the total intake into 2 or more doses per day taken between meals.


Pyruvate supplementation may stimulate weight loss, but it takes a relatively large dose, and not everyone’s GI tract can tolerate it. Short duration heavy use (at dosages of 8,000 to 10,000 mg per day) for up to
1 week at a time may be used to “jump-start” weight loss initially. Lower dosages (2,000 to 6,000 mg per day) are suggested for extended periods of use.


Wu-long tea, is an Asian black tea that also appears to assist in weight loss, both through its effects on suppressing insulin release (which enhances fat burning) as well as by suppressing appetite. This is taken as an actual brewed tea, as opposed to a pill form.


5-HTP (5-hydroxy tryptophan) can be used at dosages of 50 to 100 mg per day, preferably divided into two or more doses taken with meals. As



a precaution, 5-HTP should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women. It is also a good idea to be sure that the product has been tested and certified to be free of the “Peak X” contaminant. Discontinue use of 5-HTP immediately if you experience joint or muscle pain or swelling, and/or difficulty breathing and seek medical attention. For the most part, 5-HTP is quite safe, but these warnings are provided as an extra precaution to guard against harm from extremely rare instances of contamination.


7-Keto DHEA appears to increase basal metabolism and stimulate the production of lean muscle, and therefore can promote fat burning. The suggested dosage is 100 to 200 mg per day split into two or more doses taken with meals.