Weight Loss: Dangers of Using Laxatives For Weight Loss

One popular weight loss supplements available in the market today take the form of tea. Stores all over sell slimming tea, dieter's tea and others but all of them are actually the same. They may appear to be effective, but what is not seen may actually harm you.One of the effects of drinking dieter's tea is frequent bowel movement. This gives people the feeling of body cleansing. These people may get toxins out of their body but it isn't exactly the only thing that slimming tea actually does to the body. Slimming tea contains herbs which are natural laxatives. These include aloe, senna, rhubarb root, cascara, buckthorn and castor oil. These are products which are derived from plants and are used since the ancient times because of their potency in treating constipation and to inducing bowel movement.

Cascara, castor oil and senna are substances which are recognized as laxatives available over the counter and are also regulated as drugs. Scientific studies show that diarrhea induced by laxatives does not absorb significant amounts of calories taken in the body. The reason for this is that laxatives do not act on the small intesines where most of the calories are absorbed. Instead, they work on the large intestines. If taken in large amounts for prolonged periods, it can affect fat absorption of the body. This may lead to greasy diarrhea and loss of weight. Abuse of laxatives is common practice among people who suffer from bulimia and anorexia nervosa. While weight loss can be guaranteed by overdosing on laxatives, it may also cause permanent damage to the gastrointesitinal tract and the weakening and softening of the bones, a condition known as osteomalacia. Drinkers of slimming teas may actually patronize the product because they are less axpensive and taste better than other laxatives sold in the market.

Other people, such as those with eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa drink dieter's tea because they work fast and produce watery stool and having loose consistency.Women may even be more susceptible to the effects of slimming teas. Although they may are not known to interfer directly with the woman's menstrual cycle and fertility, they should watch out if drinking them causes them to rapidly shed off weight. It is also not safe for pregnant women to be taking in laxatives of any kind. Wise and reponsible herbalists also discourage the use of senna and other herbal products with laxative properties for pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive.

One should be wary about these findings because the labeling of slimming teas in the market today can be absolutely misleading. For instance, they commonly refer to the laxative qualities as "natural bowel cleansing properties" and not specifically use the word "laxative".Some even use the term "low-calorie" on their labelling.

These products in fact, contain essentially no calories nor nutrients whatsoever; unless of course, if they are sweetened.Adverse effects of misusing laxatives in the form of slimming tea generally occur when taken in more than or longer than recommended. These include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, rectal bleeding,electrolyte disorder and dehydration as well as injury and worse, death. It was also reported that excess use of stimulant laxatives cause severe constipation and pain for long periods (as much as for decades) due to the colon losing its function. It eventually led to surgery removing the colon.

The Facts About Weight Loss Without Exercise

Of all the articles and ads about weight loss and weight loss products, you will notice that many of them seem to be saying that weight loss without exercise is what they have to offer. They will tell you about some diet pill, or perhaps a diet, which is going to take the weight off without you lifting a finger...other than to unscrew the cap.

So here's the question: Can somone really lose weight simply by adjusting their diet? So many people feel that they do not have the time to exercise, or feel they lack the energy to exercise, or just plain don't want to. It would be great if all they had to do was take some pill or eat some specific diet and the weight would go away, right?

Now, my problem is that when I think of, or advise someone on, weight loss, I automatically throw in adjectives like "healthy" and "permanent". I'm not really in touch with the concept of using a diet to lose a few pounds to get back into last year's clothes or to look good at the high school reunion. I tend to think of losing weight as a step to the point where you achieve your weight loss goal and enter the realm of weight management. At this point, you are living a healthy lifestyle of combined physical activity and proper nutrition and are able to enjoy life to the max...for a good many years to come!

"Yeah, Don, that's great, but I'm one of the first group of people you talked about. I just want to lose weight and don't want to mess with exercise. Heck, man, I'm so overweight and pooped all the time that just thinking about exercise scares me. Just tell me what diet pill to take or diet to follow so that I can get my weight down, look good, feel good about myself, and enjoy life like you say!"

Well, there are people who want to be rich but who don't want to "mess with" saving, or making wise purchasing decisions, or working hard, either. Whatever we really want in life usually has some sort of price tag attached, and, as the saying goes, we usually, "get what we paid for".

To throw in another old saying, anything worth doing is worth doing well.

To get back to the weight loss without exercise issue, let's look at a couple of facts.

1. Diets do not work as far as permanent or healthy weight loss is concerned.

2. Permanent, healthy weight loss is commonly achieved through a combination of exercise and proper nutrition.

3. While there are diet products and supplements which can enhance the effects of any weight loss program, they very seldom do the trick by themselves for most people.

Let's start with that last one.

Start by reading the labels or advertising literature of most diet pills and other weight loss supplements. Somewhere you will usually find a statement that will say something like "when used with regular exercise and a sensible nutrition program". To put it another way, maybe taking that diet pill or supplement will HELP with weight loss IF it is taken in conjunction with some other weight loss program.

At the moment, the Alli diet and fat loss pill, is the only federally apporved weight loss pill. The manufacturers of even this "successful" weight loss product let you know that you should be doing taking additional steps to experience effective weight loss. Testing of that pill, one of the most effective available, show that weight loss with the pill alone will be minimal unless it is used with a program of regular exercise and proper nutrition.

Let's face it. If there WAS one diet pill that you could take and then sit around watching TV, eating ice cream, and drinking beer...AND still lose weight and be healthy, there would not be so many different diet pills claiming to do the trick!

Okay, I started with the last fact, so let's jump around and deal with the first fact next.

Diets per se do not work for permanent, healthy weight loss.

When you suddenly decrease the calories you regularly have been feeding your body, it senses a starvation situation (built in survival trait) and lowers its basic metabolic rate. In other words, it adjusts itself to function with fewer calories. This could be a good deal except for one problem. When you go back to your old eating habits, eating the same amount of calories will store more fat on your body than it used to.

This is the reason that going on and off diets is very likely to cause weight gain, rather than weight loss! It's called yo-yo dieting.

Also, an extreme reduction in nutriton also means an accompanying extreme reduction in vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fats (needed for life), phytonutrients, and other nutritional factors normally required for health, energy, and long life. You can lose wieght but in the process endanger health and lower the energy available to live life with joy.

Just to throw in another monkey wrench, once your body has adapted to its new diet and adjusted its basic metaolism, the weight loss will cease. This will usually occur after only a few pounds of fat have been lost. To lose still more weight, you will again need to decrease your food intake even more, or perhaps decide it's not worth it and take a look at the second fact I listed.

Test after test and study after study has demonstrated beyond a doubt that the most effective weight loss program is one that includes regular, moderate exercise and healthy eating and living habits. The exercise does NOT have to be extreme, although overall results will usually be directly related to the amount of effort expended.

Most of us are NOT going to wind up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Cory Everson unless we exercise and eat like they do!

However; regular, moderate exercise can burn calories and build lean muscle tissue which will continue to use up excess calories and burn fat even when we are not exercising. It will raise energy levels, make daily life easier, help elevate mood and fight depression, and will help protect us against a host of degenerative diseases. It has been shown to delay and mitigate the effects of aging, and has been shown a potent protector against many conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and many forms of cancer.

Healthy eating does not necessarily mean "dieting". Healthy eating involves such things as proper selection of foods, paying attention to portion sizes, and changing a few eating habits...including that great American pastime...snacking!

I used the term "healthy eating and living" because such things as getting the proper amount of sleep, having fun, and having friends can also contribute to health in general and weight loss in particular.

Is weight loss without exercise possible?

Sure! Millions of people throughout history have gotten very thin before they starved to death!

Millions more have simply combined exercise with healthy eating and living habits to experience permanent, healthy weight loss and have enjoyed a long and happy life as a result.

Your choice?

Donovan Baldwin is a central Texas writer. He is also a University of West Florida alumnus, a member of Mensa, and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. His interests include nature, the environment, health, fitness, yoga, and weight loss. He often posts articles on health and weight loss at http://nodiet4me.com/articledirectory/

Giving up on weight loss? Think again

Are you one of those who have lost hope in weight loss? You think you can’t do it for nuts. You think you have tried it all and it’s of no use? Think again! Most of you might have reduced weight only to gain more, or some of you might be frustrated on the slow pace of weight loss or few might simply hate the kind of diet they are following. Whatever may be the reason, weight loss is not such a horrendous or a tough task. Getting that into your head will prepare you psychologically for weight reduction. It will look a lot easier. So what is the secret of those who have successfully reduced weight?
1. Study pattern shows that they pursue aerobics. They practice an aerobic session 5-7 days a week. These people average about 45 minutes of aerobics everyday with their ranges spreading over 30-90 minutes. Aerobics helps you burn a lot of calories. It also increases your BMR- basal metabolic rate.
2. Weight training programs help you to tone your muscles. This is also another successful method followed by the successful group. They weight train for 2-3 days a week. Those who follow this are more successful at weight loss.
3. Workouts in the morning help tremendously in preparing your body for the rest of the day. You end up feeling great. Consistent morning exercises on a day to day basis puts in place your food habits. You tend to feel less hunger and hence eat the right food. This regulates your metabolic system and it works the way it should and helps you get into a healthy mind frame. Natural weight loss is the best way to reduce weight as in merges well with the body and helps in the long run. Crash diets won’t help. It is better to stick on to healthy food consisting of your favorites to make it tastier. Avoid junk food.
4. People often misunderstand the concept. 20 minutes of exercise every day won’t help if you are looking for serious weight loss. You have to work out vigorously to make changes. If it’s your priority go ahead and do it. You will definitely feel a change in yourself soon. 20 minutes every day can’t change your metabolic rate effectively, drastically reduce your weight, and make you feel great.
5. It is practically impossible to work out consistently for an hour. Make time, wake up early in the morning, make it a routine, fix your targets, and be sincere. And when you end up reducing weight, it is important to maintain it, or you will end up putting on more weight. Stick to your regime, you can probably ease out a bit but not too much. If you are looking for a serious change, then you will have to follow a serious plan. Weight loss tips can only guide, you are the only one who can make it work. So go ahead and make the difference.

Gary Grewal is the founder of the site http://www.101weightloss.com/; A site featuring many articles on weight loss subjects such as eating habits, exercise, foods & nutrition, diets, pills etc. Visit his site for many more tips on natural weight loss.

Vitamins to aid in weight loss

When you think about weight loss, you will tend to consider only about an exercise program to burn your fats away or the tasteless and raw foods that you plan to eat. You might also have considered buying the diet drug that you saw at the pharmacy. However, did it ever come across your mind that vitamins might help in weight loss?

Our body requires vitamins and it can be easily obtained from the foods we eat or dietary supplements. Vitamins are very important and there is absolutely no way a person can sustain his life without the presence of necessary vitamins.

Believe it or not, there are vitamins that aids in weight loss. They are mainly vitamin B2, B3, B5, B6, vitamin B complex and vitamin C. These B vitamins help to convert carbs into glucose, after which they are burned to produce energy for the body. With this in mind, you are encouraged to consume foods, which consist of these highly beneficial vitamins. Each of these vitamins has different functions.

Just to name a few:

Vitamin B2 or also known as Riboflavin is highly required for increased metabolism. You are encouraged to consume more hard cheese, milk and almonds for a healthy intake of Vitamin B2. Next is the B3 vitamin. This vitamin is necessary for normal thyroid hormone production. Leafy green vegetables and eggs are a good source of this vitamin. You can also choose to include wheat bran, meat and salmon. Vitamin B5 is necessary for the production of energy. Good sources of B5 include liver, poultry, nuts and whole grain bread.

It is best that you consult the doctor or your dietitian if you are unsure as to what to include in you meal to ensure sufficient intake of these weight loss vitamins.

Other than natural vitamins that can be found in the food we eat, you can choose to have an extra dose of vitamin through the needles. Vitamin B12 injections are a usual sight at weight loss clinics. The B12 works by boosting your metabolism. As such, this would cause you to digest food faster and burn more calories just by sitting there! With more calories burnt, you will store lesser calories as fat.

At the same time, B12 is energy giving and hence it gives you an energy boost. Most people do not exercise because they are just plain tired after a long day at work. So, with the extra energy, you will feel more energetic and you can afford to exercise more!

You can also choose to take vitamin pills, but remember, vitamin pills are not energy pills! They do not carry any energetic value so remember not to substitute the necessary intake of carbs, fats or carbohydrates with just vitamin pills!

Choosing Supplements for your Diet can be a confusing journey when you embark on your weight loss journey. Click Here to download your free ‘1 Month Diet Plan’ book and start losing weight today.

You Don't Have To Regain Weight-Top 10 To Avoid

It is possible to regain weight after having weight loss surgery. After you've achieved your weight loss, many post-operative patients think they are done and slip back to old habits. Whether you lose weight through weight loss surgery, work with a weight loss coach or do it on your own, you can regain lost weight. A new, healthy lifestyle is the key to lose weight and keep it off.

Here's the Top 10 reasons how to do it:

10. Don't exercise.

9. Don't bother drinking water.

8. Drink alcohol, soda and fruit juice.

7. Grazing throughout your day.

6. Eat mostly carbs in your meal, especially sugary, refined carbs.

5. Ignore taking your vitamins or take them whenever convenient and if you remember.

4. Protein first? Eat protein after you eat your mostly carb-heavy meals only if there's room.

3. Don't bother keeping a food and exercise journal.

2. Don't get support either by a support group, online support, or your own weight loss coach.

And the number 1 way:

1. Thinking you are cured, your surgery will do all the work in maintaining your weight loss, and never have to be concerned about emotional eating or food issues ever again.

Losing weight is a process. We didn't gain our weight overnight and it won't come off overnight either. Keep this list and refer to it. You can maximize your weight loss and the rate that you lose. When we make the decision to have surgery and lose weight, we want it NOW.

Rather than focus strictly on the number on the scale, appreciate all the positive changes you're making. When you reach your desired weight, you will have experienced all sorts of little and big "wins" along the way. By following the Top 10, you'll no longer need a seat belt extender, you'll be able to zip up jackets, wear your jeans you haven't worn in years, you'll have more energy, you'll be able to participate in activities that would have exhausted you before, and many more that will be special and unique to you. Losing weight can be a wonderful adventure and journey with many wins along the way.

The process of losing weight is to change your habits. You need to discard the old habits that made you heavy in the first place and replace them with new, healthy habits. The above Top 10 are the best habits you can incorporate into your life. Habits are learned behaviors. Unhealthy habits caused us to become overweight or obese. You can relearn new, healthy habits that will allow you to lose weight and maintain it. I've never maintained any weight that I lost before. How did I do it? I did it by following the Top 10. You can too.

Cathy Wilson is a weight loss life coach. Cathy lost 147 pounds six years ago. Her passion is helping clients achieve their weight loss and life goals. Cathy works with clients to create a weight loss life plan that is customized to each client. Cathy is a member of the International Coaching Federation, International Association of Coaches, and Obesity Action Coalition. Visit Cathy's website: http://www.LoseWeightFindLife.com

Beyond Weight Loss: The Unexpected Benefits of hCG

HCG is quickly gaining recognition for its ability to help with weight loss. Although the hormone still has not been approved by the FDA for use as a weight loss product, many physicians are recommending it to their patients and weight loss clinics specializing in HCG weight loss treatments are becoming more common. In addition to helping people lose weight, however, many people utilizing this weight loss program are discovering that there are additional benefits as well.The Body Sculpting Benefits of HCG TreatmentsMany of the people that are using HCG to help them lose weight are finding that the hormone helps with the reshaping of their body’s as well. Unlike many weight loss programs that only help with losing weight, HCG appears to help contour the body and decrease the circumference of the body.

HCG also helps tone common problem areas, such as reducing the amount of fat deposited in double chins and getting rid of pot bellies. HCG also appears to help rejuvenate structural fat, which helps make the hands, neck, and face look refreshed.Individuals on the HCG diet are also supposed to follow a low calorie diet of only 500 calories per day. Without the help of HCG, a diet consisting of this few calories can results in a loss of muscle mass. Those on HCG, however, do not experience this side effect. In addition, the hormone appears to actually reduce the appetite, which makes it easier to adhere to the 500 calorie diet.The Health Benefits of the HCG DietObviously, shedding extra pounds will help improve the overall health of a person on the HCG diet. Researchers also believe that taking HCG helps to normalize the cholesterol levels of those on the diet. In addition, the hormone appears to help normalize the thyroid gland and balance the hormones while rebuilding the adrenaline glands.

The Emotional Benefits of the HCG DietPeople on the HCG diet also routinely report experiencing less irritability and generally feeling in a better mood. This lift in spirits seems to continue throughout the entire treatment period. Patients also report having more restful sleep, which may be partially responsible for the improved mood. Similarly, patients report feeling more energized while undergoing the therapy. This may be attributed to the improvement in sleep, the loss of excess weight, and the positive impact HCG has on the adrenaline glands.For many, just the weight loss benefits of HCG would be enough to make this hormone worth taking. With the additional benefits that the hormone appears to have, howeverFree Reprint Articles, it makes the HCG weight loss program that anyone looking to lose weight should consider.

Marion Goldsmith is the public relations director of HCG Medical, a medical hcg weight loss clinic located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Marion is a former medical weight loss physician has written articles on a variety of topics, but currently focuses on HCG weight loss. Visit www.hcgmedical.com today!