CLA helps manage weight

CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid, had several benefits including reducing body fat in earlier animal studies, but human studies have been inconclusive, doctors said. In this study, 63 people tending toward overweight or obesity took 1,700 mg of CLA per day, or a vegetable oil placebo, in about 7 ounces of sterilized milk. After 12 weeks, while there were no changes for placebo, the CLA group had lost body weight, improved body mass index score, had less total fat and fat under the skin, a lower percentage of body fat, and a smaller waist-to-hip size. The higher the body mass index at the start of the study, the larger the improvements in all measures.

Calcium burns fat, reduces fat absorption

When dieters take in fewer calories than they burn, calcium supplements may stimulate fat loss, but prior studies have been inconclusive, doctors said. In this review, researchers analyzed eight placebo-controlled calcium weight-loss studies, and found that dieters who got high levels of calcium increased fat metabolism by 11 percent compared to placebo. Those who consumed low levels of calcium before the study-less than 700 mg per day-saw the most fat-loss benefit. Researchers said the higher rate of fat-burning was equal to losing eight pounds per year.

In discussing their findings, doctors said that calcium supplements raised the metabolic rate as effectively as caffeine. The average amount of calcium linked with the largest weight-loss benefit was 958 mg of calcium per day. Doctors also said good calcium levels help control appetite.

Reference: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; October, 2012, Electronic Prepublication

From the January 2013 newsletter

Nutrients lower lipid levels in obesity

Green tea extract

Earlier studies found green tea can reduce weight by helping the body manage lipids, doctors said. In this study, 46 otherwise-healthy obese men and women, aged 30 to 60, took a daily dose of 379 mg of green tea extract plus 208 mg of ECGC-the most common antioxidant found in green tea- or a placebo. Participants did not change their diets or physical activities during the study, which were similar for both groups.

After three months, compared to placebo, the green tea group saw significant decreases in total and LDL cholesterol, an increase in HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, body mass index, and smaller waist size. Total antioxidant activity also increased, and magnesium and zinc levels improved, with increasing magnesium levels helping lower or stabilize blood sugar. Iron levels declined. Explaining their findings, doctors said green tea may help keep cholesterol and glucose from being absorbed through the walls of the small intestine.

Berberine

Obesity drugs often have serious side effects, and doctors are searching for natural products, such as the herb berberine, for safer answers. In this pilot safety study, obese people took 500 mg of berberine three times per day. After 12 weeks, berberine proved safe in preserving overall blood characteristics, and in maintaining heart, kidney, and liver function.

Beyond safety, berberine appeared to have additional benefits. Participants had lost an average of five pounds, a result doctors had expected. More surprising were a 12 percent decline in total cholesterol and a 23 percent decline in triglycerides. To reconfirm the lipids lowering effects of berberine, doctors conducted a lab animal study, which yielded similar results.

Reference: Biological Trace Element Research; May, 2012, Electronic Prepublication

From the December 2012 newsletter

Exercise is key for losing weight, and overweight individuals tend to report more fatigue during physical activity than healthy-weight people. In this study, 20 obese adults ate a calorie-controlled diet with or without 500 mg vitamin C per day. Before and after the study, everyone exercised for one hour at half the rate of his or her estimated maximum oxygen consumption capacity. After four weeks, both groups had lost almost nine pounds, but compared to the non-vitamin C group, the vitamin C group reported feeling much less exertion and fatigue and had significantly lower heart rates during exercise.

Reference: Nutrition Journal; June, 2012, Electronic Prepublication

From the October 2012 newsletter

Whey protein reduced “hunger”hormone

In this study, 90 overweight and obese people who were otherwise healthy took 56 grams of whey or soy protein per day, to the same amount of calories in the form of carbohydrates as a placebo. Doctors measured body weight and fat monthly, and collected food diaries every 10 days. After 23 weeks, the whey group had lost an average of 3.9 pounds more body weight and 5 pounds more fat-mass compared to placebo. The soy group lost about half these amounts compared to placebo, which doctors said was not statistically significant.

The whey group also lost one inch around the waist while the soy and placebo groups had not changed. Researchers also measured ghrelin, a hormone the body produces to tell the brain when it is time to eat, and found lower levels of ghrelin in the whey group compared to the soy and placebo.

Reference: The Journal of Nutrition; 2011, Vol. 141. No. 8, 1489-94

From the April 2012 Newsletter

Early-Stage Nutrition Discoveries-Metabolism

Lab studies find nutrients increase metabolism, reduce fat, improve blood fat and sugar levels, and ease symptoms of metabolism syndrome

Resveratrol and metabolism

In a lab study, mice that consumed a diet including an experimental mega-dose of resveratrol ate 13 percent fewer calories and had an increase in resting metabolic rate of 29 percent. Scientists said resveratrol may help in obesity therapies.

Reference: BioMed Central Physiology; 2010, Vol. 10, No. 11, Electronic Prepublication
Blueberries and diabetes

In a lab study, rats consumed a diet including freeze-dried blueberry powder as 2 percent of total calories. After 90 days, compared to those that didn’t eat blueberries, the blueberry group had less abdominal fat, lower triglycerides and cholesterol, and improved fasting blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. The benefits were greater with a low-fat diet, including lower body weight and total fat and liver mass. The liver can enlarge with obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. Researchers said blueberries affected the genes that help cells burn and store fat and utilize glucose efficiently.

Reference: Science Daily; 2009 Experimental Biology Convention, New Orleans, USA

Melatonin reduced weight, sped metabolism, improved blood fats

In this study, young overweight rats consumed a diet including an experimental mega-dose of melatonin, or no melatonin. After six weeks, the melatonin group had gained less weight than the non-melatonin group. The melatonin group also saw triglycerides decrease 27 percent, LDL cholesterol decrease 20 percent, and HDL-the good cholesterol—increase 26 percent.

Reference: Journal of Pineal Research; 2010. Electronic Prepublication

From the February 2011 newsletter More on weigh loss and metabolism.

Probiotics Help Moms Keep Pounds Off

Weight Management benefits from Probiotics Use

Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal and healthy, but excess weight can lead to obesity later in life.

In this study, 256 pregnant women in the first trimester received dietary counseling plus daily probiotics or a placebo, or a placebo with no counseling, through the end of exclusive breastfeeding, up to six months after giving birth.

The probiotics were Lactobacillus rahamnous and Bifidobacterium lactis. At the end of the study, about half the women who took a placebo had waist size of 31.5 inches or larger compared to 26 percent for the group. Excess weight, particularly around the waist in women, raises chances for disease, and doctors recommend levels below 35 inches.

Reference: Clinical Nutrition; October, 2010, Electronic Prepublication

From February 2011 newsletter

End of probiotics for weight management - back to Home

Van’s Health Foods is pleased to carry the following new product:

Bodylean® CLA Plus from Health Aid can help reduce body fat and increase muscle tone. Bodylean has been designed to help achieve the desired weight and physique through its unique blend of:

• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) - helps improve the way the body stores & utilises energy.
• Green Tea
• Carnitine
• Ornithine
• Creatine
• CoQ10 and Chromium - work synergistically to release energy from stored body fat to maintain a lean, toned & healthy body.

Bodylean does not contain:

• Yeast
• Gluten
• Wheat
• Soya
• Dairy
• Sugar
• Salt

Bodylean is both Vegetarian and Vegan!

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