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HOW TO MANAGE OBESITY USING NATURAL SUPPLEMENT?

UNDERSTANDING OBESITY

Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive body fat. People who are medically obese usually are affected by behavior, genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control with dieting. Obesity increases the likelihood of certain diseases and other related health problems.

1Obesity is due to an individual taking in more calories than they burn over an extended period of time. These “extra” calories are stored as fat. Although there are several factors that can lead to this energy imbalance in obese individuals, the main contributors are behaviour, environment and genetics.

Stages of overweight are medically defined by body mass index (BMI). An individual with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2 is clinically classified as overweight. A BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more is classified as obese.

Obesity has been linked to a host of illnesses including

  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Breathing disorders

Rapid urbanization along with rising income and sedentary lifestyles have all been associated with rising levels of obesity.

SCENARIO OF OBESITY IN INDIA

2India is the third most obese country in the world. A country where 270 million people live below the ‘poverty line’, obesity seems to be a distant issue, meant for the rich kids of first world.

But India is under siege: junk food, alcohol and sedentary lifestyle are leading us to silent self destruction, making one in every five Indian men and women either obese or overweight.

A study published in the noted medical journal Lancet says India is just behind US and China in this global hazard list of top 10 countries with highest number of obese people.

WHAT ARE THE SOCIAL EFFECTS OF OBESITY?

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Individuals affected by obesity often face obstacles far beyond health risks. Emotional suffering may be one of the most painful parts of obesity. Society often emphasizes the importance of physical appearance. As a result, people who are obese often face prejudice or discrimination in the job market, at school and in social situations.

IRVINGIA GABONENSIS: SOLUTION TO FIGHT OBESITY

African mango (Irvingia gabonensis) is a tree that is native to West African countries. The seeds from this tree are used to make medicine. Irvingia gabonensis has become so popular because it has been shown to help people lose weight.

HOW IRVINGIA GABONENSIS DOES HELP IN WEIGHT LOSS?

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Researchers believe that African mango helps promote weight loss in several ways.

  • 5It helps boost a person’s leptin level.
  • Leptin is a hormone that helps suppress appetite. Obesity is associated with an increase in leptin levels, which is unusual for the standard mechanism of action in leptin. The reason associated to this is that obese individuals are believed to be resistant to the effects of leptin.
  • Leptin resistance stimulates obesity. Therefore, leptin resistant people find it difficult to lose weight.
  • A hearty appetite can prevent a person from reaching their weight loss goals.
  • African mango helps delay stomach emptying. This helps prevent blood sugar spikes. Blood sugar spikes can lead to food cravings. Additionally, there has also been evidence to suggest that African mango helps increase the breakdown of fat.

SCIENTIFIC PROOF

There have been numerous studies done on African mango by researchers 

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  • There was a clinical study done back in 2005 that tested the effectiveness of African mango on weight loss. There were a total of 40 participants. Twenty-eight of the participants took 350 mg of African mango abstract for one month while the other 12 were given a placebo. The results of the study were that the people who took the African mango extract were able to lose about 5% of their body weight. The subjects who were given a placebo only lost one percent of their body weight.
  • Recently, there was another clinical study done on African mango. Half of the participants were given African mango while the other half was given a placebo. The results of the study were that the participants who took African mango were able to lose 7 pounds in just a month. The results of this study can be found in the Journal for American Health and Disease.

FUROSLIM

7It is easy to try one diet after another but this will never be a long-term solution. The right way to lose weight safely is to understand the science and research behind natural supplements and apart from this one should change eating habits and then ensure that those new, healthier eating habits become a way of life.

There’s no point in adopting strict measure that prevent you from living life to the fullest. After all, food is there to be enjoyed. You need a way of eating where you can eat out with friends, socialize without having to give up the meal. Real and permanent fat loss (not just weight loss) has to be gradual and it takes time. The important thing, however, is that this approach works, and your weight will stay off.

FUROSLIMIrvingia gabonensis helps to improve the sensitivity of leptin. Fortunately, it not only reverses leptin resistance, but also facilitates the breakdown of body fat by reducing an enzyme (glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) that enables glucose to be stored as triglyceride in adipocytes.

FUROSLIMIrvingia gabonensis also increases the insulin-sensitizing hormone adiponectin and inhibits the digestive enzyme amylase that allows ingested carbohydrates to be broken down and absorbed into bloodstream.

REFERENCES

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Antioxidant Respiratory health

ANTI OXIDANTS FOR GAINING HEALTH

OXIDATIVE STRESS

Oxidative stress is the ​disproportion between production of free radicals​ in the body​ and ability of the body to detoxify these free radicals with the help of antioxidants present in the body​.

Normal molecules in the body have two​(paired)​ electrons in their outer shell. A molecule with a single electron​, i.e ​unpaired​,​ in its outer shell is called a free radical. Thus, free radicals are highly​responsive molecules​,​ which are produced inside the body by various biochemical ​reactions. These free radicals are ​essential to carry out many biological processes such as intracellular killing of bacteria by the phagocytic cells.​But ​when these free radicals start to accumulate inside the body instead of using​ them ​up​,​ then they start harming the ​body cells by targeting lipids, proteins ​as well as DNA of the cells. This state of harmful effects​ caused​ by free radicals is termed as oxidative stress.

 (http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Oxidative-Stress.aspx

 DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH OXIDATIVE STRESS

Oxidative stress is responsible for many diseases inside body. Some of these include​:​

  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease
  • Depression
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Hypoxia
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Age-related development of cancer
  • Gastric cancer

ANTIOXIDANT

Antioxidants are ​the molecules ​that neutralize free radicals by ​giving them an extra electron.​Our body produces antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH)​ naturally.​

These naturally available antioxidants are not​sufficient to neutralize all ​of​ the free radicals inside the body. As people grow older, th​is ​natural production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) cannot keep up with the increasing levels of free radicals. Thus, constant supply of antioxidants either from additional diet or in the form of a drug is necessary for human body.

(http://www.nutrex-hawaii.com/oxidative-stressfree-radicals)

SOURCES OF ANTIOXIDANTS

There are various sources of antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, beta carotene, selenium, phytonutrients, etc. These sources are divided into three categories of antioxidants to fight against oxidative stress. These are:

  • Natural antioxidants: A ​human body has its own system of antioxidants which is activated ​when oxidative stress ​is ​originated inside the body. These include superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase.
  • Synthetic antioxidants:Another source of antioxidant​s​ is synthetic antioxidant which ​are manufactured by the industries. These antioxidants are in the form of medicines ​and​ are available in the market for consumption.
  • Plant antioxidants: ​Like ​us, plants also have antioxidant systems. Various parts of the plants such as fruits, leaves, seeds etc contain bioactive components which can be used as antioxidant​s​ for human consumption. These forms of antioxidants are ​very effective with almost negligible​ side effects. They are either prepared in the form of extracts or can be consumed along with diet. These include flavonoids, catechins, carotenoids, beta carotene, terpenes, etc.

(http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Antioxidants.aspx)

THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF ANTIOXIDANTS

  • Antioxidants in cardiovascular disease: Free radicals produced from LDL are ​considered to be a major part of cardiovascular events. Antioxidants may inhibit atherosclerosis by targeting LDL associated free radicals and ​therefore, ​help to ​prevent the complications of cardiovascular diseases.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673603136379)

  • Antioxidants in stroke treatment: Oxidative stress is a potential contributor to stroke​s​. Excess​ive​ oxidative stress result​s​ in apoptosis, inflammation, DNA damage, lipid per-oxidation and protein denaturation – all of which contribute to and ​magnify signals leading to damage, ​followed by stroke. Antioxidants are ​considered to be a treatment strategy for stroke. They are reported to reduce cell damage caused by stroke ​by blocking the production of excessive free radicals in the body.

(http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20021001/antioxidant-reduces-stroke-damage)

 

  • Antioxidants for cancer: There are common antioxidants which ​are involved in cancer treatment. These are lipoic acid, Vitamin C, beta carotene, Vitamin E, etc. ​T​hese antioxidants increase the activity of immun​ity​ cells against cancer cells. These antioxidants also ​constrain the damage caused by free radicals​ to the DNA

(http://www.medicinabiomolecular.com.br/biblioteca/pdfs/Cancer/ca-2346.pdf)

 

  • Antioxidants in brain health: Antioxidants are commonly used as treatment for ​different forms of brain injury. Superoxide dismutase mimetics such as sodium thiopental and propofol are used to treat reperfusion injury and traumatic brain injury.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1933721309002232)

  • Antioxidants in neurodegenerative diseases: Neuronal proteins and structural components get ​altered due to oxidative stress in different neurological disorders leading to neuro-inflammation and loss of cognitive function. Antioxidants are very effective for neuroprotection. Antioxidants target calcium mediated neurotoxicity and prevent the ​commencement of neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidants also prevent the oxidation of proteins, lipid peroxidation and prevent the ​formation of free radicals, ​therefore act​ing​ as a barrier to the oxidative stress.

(Uttara B et al.: Oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases: A review of upstream and downstream antioxidant therapeutic options. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2009 Mar; 7(1): 65–74)

  • Antioxidants in liver damage: Antioxidants are considered to have the beneficial effects in the management of liver diseases. Clinical study ​has ​showed that antioxidants alone or in combination with anti-HCV therapy have shown biochemical efficacy with ​a decline in serum ALT levels. Antioxidants have ​proven to be a treatment therapy for alcoholic cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3228367/)

“You can’t possibly avoid free radicals but you can make sure you have enough antioxidants to minimize the damage”

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ANTIOXIDANTS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are man-made as well as natural elements that can offset free radicals and protect the body from cellular damage. Antioxidants inhibit or delay certain types of cell damage. Some antioxidants are produced by the body, while others can be procured through dietary sources. Antioxidants are present in a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables. They are also available as dietary supplements.
Free radicals are chemicals that are typically formed in our bodies as the byproduct of calories being converted into energy. In addition to this, they can be found in natural sources, like air and sunlight whenever they react with the skin. They can easily damage cells and genetic material. Other sources of free radicals are present in the form of food that you eat and the air that you breathe. Some are generated by sunlight’s reaction with skin and eyes.


Examples of antioxidants include

THE FREE RADICAL STORY: HOW DO FREE RADICALS CAUSE DAMAGE? 

 

  • Free radicals ​are presentnaturally as ​a result of chemical reactions that take place in our bodies. However, exposure to pollution, cigarette smoke and sunlight can ​manifold increase the number of ​these ​free radicals.
  • Free radicals can ​cause ​damage​ to the​tissues, cell membranes and DNA, which may ​then ​lead to certain cancers and other diseases.
  • Free radicals can be ofmany shapes, sizes, and chemical configurations. What they all ​have in common is​ an​insatiable appetite for electrons, stealing them from ​close-by substances that will ​surrender This electron​s’​stealing can ​completely ​change the “loser’s” structure or function. Free radical​s​ can damage​ or​ change the instructions coded in a strand of DNA causing ​numerous diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and eye diseases such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration.

THE ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS

  • Antioxidants help to ​keep thefree radicals​ steady​ and prevent them from ​causing any

  • The human body, long used to this harsh attack, makes antioxidant molecules that ​quashfree radicals. Antioxidants ​can also ​be​ extracted from food products. They work by generously ​conferring electrons to free radicals without turning into electron-scavenging substances themselves. 

 

HOW DO ANTIOXIDANTS HELP TO SUPPORT WEIGHT LOSS?

  • Toxins produced ​by the body ​are stored in fat cells inside​ our​ The body holds on to the fat cells as a defence mechanism to ​keepthe body from being ​assaulted and flooded with toxins. Toxins slow down ​body’s ​metabolism and ​it becomes difficult to lose weight even if you are eating less.
  • Toxins also affect the brain cells and ​ can​interfere with ​hunger control and hormone regulation such as ​management of blood sugar.
  • Antioxidants ​equalizethe free radicals and help to ​exclude the toxins ​from the body. This helps every cell in the body to function more ​efficiently in ​dealing with waste, hereby, ​improving Antioxidants also make the fat cells ​reduce their production of triglycerides.

ANTIOXIDANT-RICH FOODS

Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, mulberry, goji berries are the best sources of antioxidants without any doubt. Berries contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, which help to lower inflammation and improve the immune system.

Nuts & Seeds:The powerful combination of Vitamin E and fiber in nuts and seeds make them great sources of antioxidants.

Green leafy vegetables: Dark green leafyvegetables like spinach, methi,coriander have beta-carotene as well as are rich in vitamins A, C, E, and even calcium. They are also a rich source of potassium and magnesium.

Whole grains:Try replacing refined grains like white rice or all purpose flour (maida) with brown rice or whole wheat flour, and one can drastically increase the antioxidants level in their diet. These whole grains provide the antioxidant nutrients like selenium and zinc. They are also rich in phytochemicals.

 

 

GRECOBE- An Ultimate Antioxidant

GRECOBE – Green coffee bean extract has strong anti-oxidant properties. The Green coffee bean extract has Chlorogenic acids, dietary polyphenols which act to help reduce free radicals in the body. Chlorogenic acid is a phytochemical found in green coffee beans but when the coffee beans are roasted, the chlorogenic acid is destroyed. This active ingredient makes green coffee bean an excellent agent to absorb free radicals; as well as helping to avert hydroxyl radicals, both of which contribute in the degradation of cells in the body.It’s now available in sachets as instant green coffee. It is a great health drink, which is a taste paradise too.