Should You Consume Caffeine To Lose Weight?
31.October, 2008
People seeking to lose weight are typically anxious to hear about any trick to make weight loss easier. One way to help speed weight loss is to find ways to speed up the metabolism, so that more calories are burned in a day.
Research has shown that caffeine is effective at speeding up the metabolism, so that you burn more calories. According to the Mayo Clinic, caffeine stimulates many body functions, including the heart rate, central nervous system function and metabolism.
In addition, caffeine may decrease the appetite short term. So, adding caffeine may be an effective way to jump start weight loss. There are some things to consider, however:
You may see no effect if you’re already a caffeine consumer. If caffeine is already a part of your daily diet, you would likely need very high doses of caffeine to increase your metabolism above the level at which it already functions. However, those who don’t regularly consume caffeine may see some benefit.
You must be careful where the caffeine comes from. If you start getting your caffeine from sugary sodas, you’ll likely gain weight rather than lose it. However, if you get your caffeine from coffee, tea and sodas without sugar, you may see some results.
You must consider your other health issues. If you already suffer from an irregular heart rate or high blood pressure, your doctor may have warned you to stay away from caffeine. If this is the case, caffeine may not be safe for you. Be sure to talk to your doctor before adding caffeine.
What if I’m Caffeine Sensitive?
Many people stay away from caffeine because they find that too much caffeine causes sleeplessness or jitters. For these people, supplementing with caffeine for weight loss might seem unreasonable. However, there’s one form of caffeine that seems to be tolerated well by those who are normally caffeine sensitive.
Green Tea May Be the Answer
Green tea may well be the best way to get your caffeine for weight loss. Though green tea does contain caffeine, it is in smaller amounts than many other beverages. In addition, the caffeine in green tea seems to be better tolerated by the caffeine sensitive than other caffeinated beverages. This is thought to be because of the anti-oxidants in green tea.
These anti-oxidants, in addition to making the caffeine less of a problem, also offer a myriad of health benefits. Green tea’s anti-oxidants have been shown to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease and some forms of cancer. So, even if you don’t lose weight from drinking green tea, it’s a healthy habit to add to your diet.
But, the best news is that in addition to being healthy and well tolerated by the caffeine sensitive, it may just be that green tea is the best way to get your caffeine for weight loss. This is because studies have shown that green tea is more effective in promoting weight loss than other caffeinated beverages. The combination of caffeine and green tea’s anti-oxidants appears to be more effective in promoting weight loss than caffeine alone.
One important study on this subject was reported by the Obesity Research Group. In this study, ninety overweight men and women were studied. First, the group was put on a low calorie diet for four weeks. The subjects were divided between low caffeine consumers and high caffeine consumers. At the end of the four week diet period, the subjects were placed on a weight maintenance program. During this weight maintenance period, subjects either received a green tea/caffeine supplement or a placebo. Within the groups, both high caffeine consumers and low caffeine consumers were given the green tea/caffeine supplement. The weight maintenance period lasted for 3 months.
At the end of the study, the results were as follows:
 Caffeine consumers overall seemed to have higher satiety levels and lower leptin levels, which helped speed weight loss.
 During the weight loss period, caffeine consumers lost more weight than non-caffeine consumers.
 During the weight maintenance period, the low caffeine consumers who received the green tea/caffeine supplement kept off more weight than the low caffeine consumers who received the placebo. In fact, many of them continued to lose weight.
 During the weight maintenance period, the high caffeine consumers who received the green tea/caffeine supplement did not report a significantly higher success rate in keeping the weight off than those high caffeine consumers receiving the placebo.
While more research is needed to truly determine how green tea and caffeine can help with weight loss and maintenance, it does appear that consuming green tea and other forms of caffeine can help you lose weight. In particular, caffeine and green tea may be especially effective for those who don’t consume a great deal of caffeine on a regular basis. And, since green tea is a form of caffeine that is well tolerated by most caffeine sensitive people, green tea may be the best way to use caffeine as a weight loss aid.
You have nothing to lose by adding green tea to your diet. It’s healthy, refreshing and has no side effects. And even those who are sensitive to other forms of caffeine can usually drink green tea without experiencing unpleasant side effects. So, see if green tea can help you in your efforts to lose weight!
Blast Belly Fat!
31.October, 2008
If you hate the way your tummy looks,and are worried because studies have linked a big belly to an increased risk of health problems like heart disease and diabetes, here is some good news: These supplements can help whittle your waistline!
Vitamin C turns fat into energy.
“The body needs adequate amounts of C to turn fat into energy, which is why the higher your level of vitamin C, the smaller your waist,” says nutrition professor Carol S. Johnston, Ph.D., of Arizona State University. Johnston’s research shows that women who get lots of vitamin C daily burn 30% more fat during exercise than those who don’t. Aim for 500 mg a day.
Green tea extract burns fat!
“Powerful compounds called catechins in green tea increase your body’s fat-burning capabilities and particularly target stubborn belly fat,” says Fred Pescatore, M.D., author of The Harnptons Diet. New research shows that people who drink regular tea fortified with green tea extract lose an incredible 450% more ab flab than those who drink a placebo brew. Aim for 200 mg. a day. It’s also a cancer-protector! One cup of green tea packs more cancer-fighting antioxidants than a serving of broccoli or spinach!
DHEA cuts A flab by 10%
Wonder why your middle thickens with the years? Turns out, our levels of the hormone DHEA - which helps control the pound-producing stress hormone, cortisol - starts to drop at about age 20. Raise your levels of .DHEA with a daily supplement, how-ever, and a recent study at Washington University suggests that you’ll effortlessly reduce ab flab by 10%!
Aim for 5 mg. daily. As always, check with your doctor before taking any new supplement.
Woman and Menopause: Symptoms and Treatment
31.October, 2008
Menopause is the stage in a womanâs life when the menstrual cycle stops. This is not a disease; rather it is a natural process in a womanâs life. However, the stage when a woman has her menopause could be a very painful and mentally debilitating stage. There could be several complications.
From an Ayurvedic point of view, menses is the flow of excess pitta from the womanâs body. Menses is called as Raja in Ayurveda. For this reason, the stoppage of the menses flow permanently, i.e. menopause is called as Raja Nivrutti, which literally means retirement of menses.
Menopause is a culmination of all the three doshas of the womanâs body. The menses themselves are pitta, while the woman may gain in her weight during this time. This indicates a kapha imbalance. Since the woman may become moody and even lose her sleep during menopause, there is a strong indication of the vata dosha at play also.
Menopause can occur in women after the age of 45 years, though this widely varies from one woman to another. The average menopausal age could be taken as 51 years. It must be made clear that menopause is not an abrupt end to the menses. The decline of the menstrual flow occurs gradually as the months progress. Generally, a woman is said to have had her menopause if there has been no menstrual flow for at least one year.
(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Menopause
1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is more popularly known as Indian Ginseng for its believed aphrodisiacal properties. In the case of menopause, this herb is usually prescribed to cure insomnia and mood swings.
2. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)
Beetroot is found to be extremely effective in making the menopausal experience less painful. It should be taken as a salad, in which the beetroots are boiled with their peel on. The peel must be removed before eating.
3. Indian Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)
Known popularly as the jatamansi in India, this is another herb prescribed to cure insomnia and mood swings. For such benefits, this herb is prescribed to be taken along with ashwagandha.
(2) Dietary Treatments for Menopause
The complications during menopause can be reduced by bringing about changes in the dietary patterns. There are some very beneficial points that can be followed:-
4. Bitter foods are good dietary indications. The dark green leafy vegetables are mostly bitter in taste. They must be regularly incorporated in the diet as a woman is moving towards her menopause.
5. Astringent foods are also advantageous. These foods include beans, soybeans, potatoes, cabbages and poultry foods. Both the bitter and the astringent foods help in reducing the excess heat in the womanâs body that is produced during menopause.
6. Foods that are sour, salty and pungent are contra-indications for menopause. Onions, garlic, mustard and chilies are pungent foods. Tomatoes, tamarinds, vinegars and curds are sour foods. These must be avoided.
7. Consume foods that can provide some phyto-estrogens. Such foods are watermelon, berries, legumes, licorice and pomegranates.
During menopause, the need of the following nutrients increases:-
a) Vitamin D â obtained from egg yolk, milk and animal liver
b) Vitamin K â obtained from green vegetables, cereals and animal foods
c) Magnesium â obtained from nuts, bananas and dairy products
d) Manganese â obtained from cereal, bran, nuts and tea
e) Calcium â obtained from milk and milk products.
(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Menopause
Chandraprabha is the tablet of choice that most physicians would provide for menopausal problems. This tablet helps in reducing the vata vitiation which is one of the foremost causes of menopausal problems. Along with this, Punarnavasava or Lodhrasava must be taken thrice in 15 milliliters doses for a month. In order to increase the strength of the body, Dashamoolarishta and Pradari Lauha are prescribed.
If there are hot flushes during menopause (which increase body temperature and then cause sudden chills), then Ashokarishta is given along with Useerasava.
For any irritations or infections that may occur in the vagina during menopause, Gokshuradi Guggulu is prescribed to be taken in doses of two pills twice a day.
Massaging the back with Chandanaadi taila helps to allay insomnia and mood swings which can occur due to vata vitiations during menopause.
(4) Home Remedies for Menopause
1. Licorice must be consumed in fair amounts during menopause. It has the phyto-estrogens that are necessary to correct the hormonal imbalances during menopause.
2. Have beetroot juice daily or include it in salads.
3. Another recipe is to boil a few carrot seeds in a glassful of milk. Consume this milk with carrot seeds in it on a daily basis.
4. During menopause, there is a chance of osteoporosis setting in due to loss of calcium. Hence take adequate care of your calcium intake. The foods mentioned above must be had in the proper amount to maintain calcium levels.
5. Maintain a healthy active regime. Sluggishness and a sedentary life will make the menopausal process quite difficult.
Long Term Green Tea Consumption And Body Fat
31.October, 2008
Many people find that they gain weight as they get older. It seems to be a fact of life for many of us; as we age we put on a few pounds. It’s no secret that our metabolism starts to slow down as we age; even as early as age 30. However, there does seem to be a simple secret weapon that can prevent the pounds from creeping on as we get older.
It’s no secret that Asian countries have far lower incidences of overweight and obesity than most other parts of the world. And, even as they age, Asians don’t seem to put on the age related pounds that plague many cultures. And, of course, it’s no secret that Asians drink large amounts of green tea.
And, there seems to be a connection between these two facts. Green tea has been reported to have many health benefits, including preventing disease and weight gain. Green tea consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of many forms of cancer, lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Green tea has also been shown to help regulate insulin, which may help prevent or control diabetes.
Other studies have shown that green tea can help with weight loss, as it seems to speed the metabolism and promote fat loss. Green tea seems to have a unique ability to promote thermogenesis, or fat burning.
For these reasons, it seems that being a lifelong green tea drinker may mean that you have less chance of putting on a few pounds each year as you get older. In addition to the abundant anecdotal evidence available by comparing the statistics on obesity in Asian countries to that of European and North American countries, there is also quite a bit of research to back up the theory that drinking green tea regularly over a period of years may lead to lower weight and less body fat.
One particularly interesting study on this subject was conducted by the Department of Family Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Taiwan. This study looked at over 1200 subjects, both male and female. They compared the tea drinking habits of the participants and evaluated their percentage of body fat and body fat distribution based on waist to hip ratios.
Waist to hip ratios are important because we know that fat carried around the hips and waist are more likely to lead to heart disease than fat carried on other places on the body.
The study concluded that tea drinkers were less likely to have an unhealthy percentage of body fat, and were more likely to have positive waist to hip ratios. In fact, those participants who had been tea drinkers for more than 10 years showed an average of 19% less body fat and a waist to hip ratio of 2.1% less than that of non-habitual tea drinkers.
But even those participants who had been habitual tea drinkers for just six months showed improved statistics over those participants who were not habitual tea drinkers.
This study denoted several factors that appeared to have either positive or negative effect on a person’s body fat percentage and body fat distribution. The factors they rated were as follows:
Smoking - Smoking was associated with higher body fat and higher waist to hip ratio.
Age - Older Age was associated with higher body fat and higher waist to hip ratio.
Body Mass Index - Higher body mass index was associated with higher body fat and a higher hip to waist ratio.
Pre/post menopausal - Pre-menopausal women were more likely to have a lower percentage of body fat and a lower waist to hip ratio than post menopausal women.
Habitual Tea Drinking - Habitual tea drinkers had lower waist to hip ratios and lower percentages of body fat.
Physical Exercise - Those who exercised regularly had lower percentages of body fat and lower waist to hip ratios.
So, as you can see, there are several lifestyle factors that affect whether or not your weight creeps up as you age. Of course, age itself is a factor we can’t control, as is going through menopause.
However, what we can learn from this study is that getting regular exercise, refraining from smoking and drinking tea regularly throughout your life can help you avoid gaining weight as you get older.
Adding green tea to your diet is a simple way to help protect your health and prevent weight gain. As more and more research has revealed green tea’s health benefits, it has become easier to find. Today, green tea can be found in loose or bag form for brewing at home and bottled form for those who want convenient chilled green tea.
Even those trendy coffee houses now offer a green tea selection on your menu. And, if you can’t get enough of a dose of green tea by drinking it, there are green tea supplements on the market that carry the anti-oxidants of green tea in pill form. But, no matter how you choose to get your dose of green tea, just be sure you get it!
do they sell ultra lean green tea at walmart and does it work?
30.October, 2008
No, you can only get their free trial online, you don't have to pay anything but the shipping fee, then they'll charge you $70 bucks monthly fee for membership. Unless you call to cancel the service within 14 days. In case you want a free trial: http://www.ultragreentea.com/
Don't forget to call to cancel the service in 14 days, otherwise you'll be crying!
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ultra Green tea diet?
30.October, 2008
can you buy the Ultra Green Tea supplement in stores? and does it work? im interested but dont know much about it
I belive you can but don't rely on this alone. Any weight loss program or supplement should be used in conjuction with eating less and exercising more.
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Starbucks canada - Tazo ice tea latte?
30.October, 2008
Does starbucks canada have Tazo Ice green tea latte?
I heard it tastes really well and I want to try it really badly.
Also, I've been wondering about which drink tastes the best and which ones don't sell in Canada. Thank you
i think they have ice green tea latte i know ive had it warm so.. im assuming it can be cold as well i didnt like it warm kinda tasted like grass to me but i like their iced chai amazing!
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did i eat too much??
30.October, 2008
i had ! coffee then a green tea sobe then i had a # 12 from jack in the box and i only ate 1/2 of the small fries and the # 12 came with 5 chicken strips but i only ate 41/2 was that alot??
Relax we all over indulge or gorge ourselves from time to time. If your stomach is not hurting and you don't feel sick, then you did not eat a lot. Live a little.
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Does Lipton Green Tea have EGCG?
30.October, 2008
Snapple Green Tea keeps advertising that they have EGCG. My bottle of Lipton Green Tea does not even mention it, although it does say that it has antioxidants. Does it have EGCG? anybody know?
thanks.
they probably both have antioxidants and EGCG, but not as much as freshly brewed tea. sorry but I just can't see processed bottled tea to be as fresh as freshly made tea.
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Mega-T Green Tea Drink Mix?
30.October, 2008
i just bought the mega-t green tea drink mix for weight loss. anyone tried it? does it work?
I haven't tried it, but most likely, it's just another fad. Drink up, though, and know that if you're taking birth control [I assume you're a female from your name] that it's no longer safe for you to have sex without a condom.
Good luck!
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