Non-Rx Weight Loss Aids

By Vern S. Cherewatenko, MD, MEd

INTRODUCTION

Do you have a CHRONIC weight problems, Over 55% of our population in the United States does according to recent findings by the National Institutes of Health. Many of us suffer from Yo-Yo dieting and never seem to stabilize our weight effectively. The medical industry is finally beginning to understand the plight of the person who battles the bulge on a daily basis. During the recent Fen-Phen era doctors treating obesity found that something clearly was involved with metabolism and excess weight. Researchers from the prestigous Pennington Research Center in Louisiana to the UCLA Obesity Research Center in California have put great effort in finding keys to treating this chronic disease. Several new helpful non-prescription and prescription items have been developed to help people manage this aspect of their health.

Several factors are involved in our bodies ability to maintain a given weight and not put on extra pounds. A gene, called the OB-OB gene, governs our bodies weight levels. Some feel this gene is not working correctly in many of us who suffer from the disease of Obesity. Unfortunately the excess pounds directly affect other systems in our bodies leading to several, actually many, other diseases. High Blood Pressure, for example, is directly caused from obesity in most cases and losing the weight avoids a cascade of other health problems and costs.

The research findings have supported several mechanisms which are involved in weight regulation or non-regulation by our body. The brain has several neurotransmitters ir chemical messengers which turn on or off our desire for food. Serotonin and Nor-epinephrine, for example, are two of these bio-chemicals that are intimately involved in hunger, feelings of fullness, energy level and metabolism. Increasing these levels are key in some people for them to have a chance at controlling the excess pounds. Ask most people who benefited from Fen-Phen, they will say that they hardly thought about food when they were on the medications. "Something was different, it was like magically the cravings went away," is c common statement I have heard from my patients. So products, either prescription or non-prescription, that help boost levels of serotonin or nor-epinephrine usually help people control cravings and increase their energy output.

Other mechanisms are also involved in putting on the pounds. As we eat carbohydrates, if our muscles and liver have sufficient quantities of glycerol (the breakdown product of starches and carbohydrates), our bodies convert the sugar molecules to triglycerides or fat for storage. Several naturally occurring compounds are now being used to help avoid this excess storage of energy (i.e. fat) and are available without prescription. Some of these natural compounds are formulated in supplements that can be very effective for weight loss or weight maintenance efforts. Many of the supplements, when combined with sensible eating, exercise and behavioral lifestyle changes are much safer than their prescription counterparts.

One naturally occurring product is a compound called Hydroxycitric Acid or HCA. This acid is found in the rind of a fruit called Garcinia Cambogia. It is available in several different products and is combined with other natural compounds which, we feel, are advantages for those trying to manage their excess weight. HCA comes from the rind of the Brindel Berry, and has been used for centuries in the food industry in Asian countries.

Hoffman-La Roche, a pharmaceutical company extensively studied this compound and found it blocked a step in the process of converting glycerol to fat. It also seemed to curb the appetite. Several manufacturers have put this in various products along with vitamins and other natural supplements to help in several different ways.

Fen-Free^TM is a product in our weight management arsenal which contains St John's Wort, Garcinia (or HCA), Kava, Chromium, Vanadyl Sulfate, Folic acid and Vitamin B-6 along with some ginger root extract. This combination has been found to help many individuals decrease hunger sensations, anxiety and depression. They have also felt their energy increase on the supplement according to Steven Kaye, MD who has found it to be a very good alternative for weight loss patients.

TipTop C-3Max is a product which combines three key weight management aids in one capsule. HCA, Chromium and Creatine. Creatine is a popular energy producing supplement shown to improve muscle power in those who use it. This supplement has and is being studied by researchers in a double blind, placebo controlled study and the results are showing great benefit. More on creatine can be found in the book Creatine, Nature's Muscle Builder available in the HealthMax Bookstore.

HydroxyMax is a supplement available with HCA, Chromium, Riboflavin (B12), Niacinamide (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Manganese (Arginate) and L-Carnitine. This Garcinia-Nutrient mix is also being used in my patients for treating their Diabetes and weight problems at the same time. I have seen many of my patients with Diabetes improve on these supplements combined with their lifestyle efforts.

Juice Plus+ Thins are a fourth source of HCA along with fiber, Lecithin, Hawthorne Berry Fruit Powder and Trivalent Chromium. Each wafer has 625 mg of (-) HCA and 3gm of dietary fiber.

As you can see, several different choices exist for those individuals who are looking for a nutritional, non-prescription supplement to help them with weight loss.

I feel it is critically important that people understand that Obesity is a disease. Obesity is a chronic disease which causes a host of other medical problems or "co-morbidities."

People should not be embarrassed about their condition or feel guilty, they should know that there are skilled practitioners out there who can help them. They should know that putting the time and effort in to learning more about Obesity will actually help losing the weight and keeping it off. HealthMax has and will have even more information available on this site for teaching people about obesity and related conditions. It is important that people with excess weight do not give up hope. Now, more than ever, we have better products, better services and better programs to help people with this frustrating condition.

Take time out of each day, to begin to increase your energy output, by walking or by any increase in activity you can. Start reading information about the research on obesity as the more information you have the more power you will gain to manage this medical problem. Try some of the various forms of supplements designed for weight management, if recommended by a reputable source. There are many "diet aids" out there buyer beware!

One of the goals of HealthMax is to recommend products we feel are effective in doing what they claim to do. Work with your medical physician and programs which identify obesity as a chronic medical condition, not just a "behavioral problem" or a "lack of will power." We also seek to provide references to medical providers who understand the complexities of obesity and understand the multi-dimensional approach we must take to help people with this condition.

I welcome you to browse our site frequently, as we will continue to add information and products we feel are useful in dealing with weight related issues.

Look for our in-depth discussion regarding the precursors of Serotonin and Nor-Epinephrine and a product called NeuroLean-AM and NeuroLean-PM which address these issues.