Providing patients natural supplements for toning and weight loss

Natural supplements for toning and weight loss can help patients lose weight in a safe manner

There is no shortage of natural supplements for toning and weight loss being touted on the internet, TV or radio, all promising the same basic thing – quick, dramatic results just in time for weddings, high school reunions, or summer vacations.

The truth is that many concocted unnatural weight loss supplements aren’t good for patients’ health (or their wallet) and won’t deliver on the results they promise. But there are natural weight loss supplements that will help patients lose weight in a safe, natural manner.

Green coffee extract

Green coffee extract has been around for some time as a weight loss aid. For a number of years, research on this supplement relied on inconsistent findings, based on small study samples. Then a group of researchers decided to perform a meta-analysis to determine if combining the results of these smaller studies might reveal a more consistent pattern showing the benefit of green coffee extract among natural supplements for toning and weight loss.

They looked at the results from 16 randomized controlled trials showing the benefits of the supplement on body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference in adults.¹ The researchers found that the studies all showed a significant reduction in BMI.

Furthermore, those patients who started with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 showed significantly greater weight loss and BMI at the end of the studies than did those who started with BMI <25 kg/m2.¹

Protein sources

Most people know about the keto diet, which relies heavily on protein and almost entirely cuts out carbohydrates. The reason many people have good weight loss results with this diet is that a high protein intake will boost metabolism and prevent loss of muscle mass.² As a result, it is very efficient at burning fat.

However, there are other benefits that make it an excellent, natural way to lose weight. Protein will also stimulate certain hormones, such as GLP-1, CCK and PYY, which signal your brain to tell you that you are full, while also reducing others that stimulate hunger.² While primary protein sources are best, such as meat, poultry or fish, protein powders may be an acceptable substitute for those who cannot get enough protein from primary sources.

Natural supplements for toning and weight loss: soluble fiber

Soluble fiber, which helps move food through the digestive system by absorbing water, has also been shown to help burn fat through several different mechanisms. A 2010 article in the journal Nutrients discusses some of these.³

Soluble fiber may stimulate the fullness hormones PYY and GLP-1, in a manner similar to that of protein. It may also reduce the levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin at the same time.

However, it is important that there is also adequate water intake, in order to keep food properly moving through the digestive system. The standard “eight 8-ounce glasses” (64 ounces) is generally still a good rule to follow.

The key to natural supplements for toning and weight loss is that it happens gradually. This avoids not only a dramatic metabolic shock to the system, but the inevitable rebound effect that will just add weight right back on again.

If your patients have expressed interest in weight loss, talk to them about the benefits of natural weight loss supplements, rather than quick-fix, crash diet plans.

For more info see the CE Nutritional Supplements Resource Center at chiroeco.com/nutritional-supplements.

References