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13 Popular Weight Loss Supplements
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5-HTP may be helpful when used in connection with a wide
variety of conditions related to low serotonin levels including
the following:
Depression - Low serotonin levels can be a contributing factor
to the onset of depression. As many drugs used for depression
are used to increase serotonin levels, 5-HTP may be just as
effective for individuals with mild depression. Individuals
taking 5-HTP have seen signs of improvements in mood, anxiety,
insomnia, and other physical symptoms.
Fibromyalgia - Preliminary evidence suggests that low serotonin
levels may play an important role in the development of fibromyalgia. 5-HTP supplementation, through its ability to
raise serotonin levels, has shown to improve sleep quality and
reduce pain, stiffness, anxiety, and depression for fibromyalgia
sufferers.
Insomnia - Some studies suggest that supplementation with tryptophan before you go to bed may help to induce sleepiness
and waking up. Specifically is has been suggested that 5-HTP
supplementation may help with insomnia directly associated with
depression.
Headaches - Some evidence suggests that 5-HTP may help reduce
the pain associated with headaches and migraines.
Obesity and Weigh Control - A study of overweight individuals
with diabetes suggests that supplementation with 5-HTP may
decrease fat and carbohydrate intake by reducing appetite. It
appears to do this by stimulating serotonin production in the
brain. While 5-HTP has not yet been extensively researched, some
human and double-blind studies have shown that 5-HTP promotes
weight loss.
7-KETO
7-KETO, short for 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone, is a
naturally occurring metabolite of the dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA),
a hormone produced by the body. DHEA is the most abundant of the
adrenal steroid hormones and function as a precursor for many
important for sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone.
While claims have not be conclusively substantiated by clinical
trails many individuals who have taken 7-KETO in conjunction
with with proper diet and exercise report that it has promoted
weith loss. Those of the medical professional believe that only
those who have been tested and found to be low in DHEA should
consider taking 7-KETO as a supplement as it may improve
metabolism and energy levels.
For those taking 200 mg or less of 7-KETO daily no major side
effects are known.
Arginine
Arginine is an essential amino acid that is believed to aid in
healing wounds, helping to eliminate ammonia from the body,
improving immune function, and enhancing production of several
hormones including glucagon, insulin, and growth hormone.
The effect of arginine on growth hormone levels has implicit
value in the body building industry in particular. In studies
when arginine was combined with vigorous exercise and weight
training, a much greater decrease in body fat was obtained after
only five weeks than when the same exercise was combined with a
placebo.
Chitosan
Chitosan is a polysaccharide compound that is found in the
shells of sea crustaceans. While chitosan is not digestible, it
appears to reduce the absorption of bile acids and cholesterol,
whereby lowering levels of blood cholesterol. Chitosan's ability
to lower blood cholesterol has been demonstrated in animals and
a few human studies showed that about 5 grams a day of chitosan
taken for a few weeks was able to produce a 6 drop in
cholesterol.
Chromium
Chromium is a trace element that has been shown to play a role
in the body's processing of different food items. A trace
element is a substance that is required by the body in very
small amounts for proper growth and functioning. Individuals
with likelihood of low chromium levels include: elderly persons,
individuals with extremely poor diets or diets very high in
refined sugars, pregnant or breast-feeding women, individuals
under chronically stressful conditions, and those who depend on
total parental nutrition (feeding through an intravenous line).
Exercise and increasing age may also reduce body stores of
chromium.
CLA
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a form of the essential fatty
acid linoleic acid, with a slightly altered chemical
composition.
Preliminary animal studies and research suggests that CLA might
reduce the risk of cancers at several sites including the
breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, skin, and stomach. Whether
CLA will have a similar protective effect for people has yet to
be shown in any study.
Similar studies also indicate that CLA supplementation may
assist in the reduction of body fat and increase muscle size and
strength.
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