besity results when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Energy can be expended by performing work or producing heat (thermogenesis).
Being obese - is very dangerous for anyone. As usual obesity leads to early diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and other serious health problems. Obesity - is the modern epidemic. In 2000 year it will cause about 350 000 extra deaths only in the United States. Scientists and doctors worldwide advised a lot of methods to burn fat and control body weight.
NE (naturalelixir.com) just briefly cover some modern approaches to fix the obesity.

There are five main approaches to control weight:

1. Influence the neuro-hormonal regulation of body weight
Two years ago there appeared a new revolutionary prescription drug Reductil or Meridia (Sibutramine). This drug reduces food intake by increasing the content of hormonal substances: serotonin and noradrenaline. These substances suppress food intake by blocking signals of hunger coming to brain. Reliable controlled trial showed a 15% reduction in weight when intake Reductil comparing with placebo group. Reductil does work! But like almost all chemicals drugs posses various side effects including dry mouth, insomnia, headache and fatigue. It may increase blood pressure and heart rate.

2. Accelerating thermogenesis
Low energy expenditure is predictive of future weight gain. Thus those experienced often cold sense may have more efficiently accumulate fat and have low thermogenesis. Administration of sympathomimetic agents, (beta-adrenergic-receptor agonistic), cause an increase in energy expenditure. Next 2-3 years there will appear new drugs increasing thermogenesis in humans. Among herbal products the most effective "thermojetic" is Ephedra sinica (Ma Huang). But due to cardio-vascular complications that may occur after treatment with dietary supplements containing Ephedra these herb is prohibited to use in some countries (Canada, Japan).

3. Decreasing food intake
Traditionally for this purpose dietitians may recommend to use fasting (0 kcal) or very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs - 400-600 kcal/day) or low-calorie diets (LCDs - 800-1200 kcal/day). This approach may be successful only when combined with post starvation educational programs and healthy lifestyle. Fasting generally is not accepted by medicinal authorities as it seams to bee too radical, but often it is the most powerful method for curing various diseases (read the book of Paul Bragg "The Miracle of Fasting").

VLCDs have a proven ability to achieve rapid weight loss but do nothing to counteract the bodies natural tendency to return to its pre-diet weight and adiposity. A major concern with the use of VLCDs for weight reduction arises from the reports that obese people being on VLCDs sometimes experienced sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmia. That is why it may be too risky to go on VLCDs if you have arrhythmic disorders.

Unfortunately new data failed to advise Very-Low-Calorie Dieting as some special method to cut weight in long-term: Researches Dr. Torgerson JS et all. from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden reported the results of randomized two-year clinical trial (1). In this trial one group received VLCD for 12 initial weeks plus regular dietary and behavioral support over two years while the other group received two years of the same supportive program only (without going to VLCD). As a result both treatment groups maintained highly significant weight losses at two years but the initial VLCD-treatment appeared to have given no significant long-term benefit compared to the supportive program. What dietary strategy is more effective in long-term treatment of obesity VLCD or LCD? One may find an answer on this question in another study (2). Swedish scientists compared the long-term effects of three different programs including initial 6 weeks diets 420 kcal/d, 530 kcal/d, 880 kcal/d on sustained weight loss, attrition and obesity associated conventional cardiovascular risk factors. As a result VLCD (420 kcal or 530-kcal/ d and LCD 880 kcal/d) were equally effective in long term treatment of obesity. The tendency to fewer side effects with LCD suggests that LCD is preferable method comparing to VLCDs.

4. Preventing of fat absorption
Fresh example of this approach is the discovery of a new drug Orlistat (Xenical) - It inhibit the gastrointestinal lipase. Orlistat can block up to 30% of orally ingested triglyceride. Clinical trials proved that Xenical produce a 10% weight loss, after 1 year of treatment, but unfortunately Xenical may cause some gastrointestinal side effects: fecal oily spotting, fecal urgency.

5. Modification of fat metabolism or its storage
Supplementation with "fat burners" or "lipotropic fat burners" produces favorable changes in body composition. Fat just substitute with muscles. Results obtained by Hoeger WW et al. (Boise State University, Idaho) (3) indicate that 4-week supplementation with lipotropic fat burners accelerates the rate of body fat loss and helps maintain fat-free mass (lean tissue), thereby producing favorable changes in body composition. This supplementation contains a patented combination of chromium picolinate, inulin, capsicum, L-phenylalanine, and other lipotropic nutrients. A double blind, weight-loss intervention design was used. Participants were randomly divided in two groups. First group: assigned to either a diet/exercise/supplement group (n = 56) or a diet/exercise/placebo group (n = 67). Analysis showed significant differences between groups in percent body fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass. It was interesting that no significant differences were found (P > .05) in body weight, body mass index, or energy intake.

The herbal product Coleus forskohlii also looks promising as this herb contains forskolin, substance stimulating the lipolisis of the fat that was deposited long ago. Forskolin activates adipocites to respond more effectively upon hormonal stimulus to cleavage fat. Fat burner supplements or exercises? Better both of them!
Nongu N & Sachan DS from the University of Tennessee, USA published results of the experiments in rats (4). In these experiments it was definitely shown that supplementation of rats with carnitine and with choline decrease body fat to the same extent as does exercise. If this effect works in human it means that you may not exercise but just eat these fat burner supplements and achieve same effect.

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Lipotropic Fat Burner tablets - right what we need! Modern strategy in treatment of obesity: not just decrease bodies weight, but remodel your body

FAT BURNERS COMPLEXIS USUALLY contain 6 key ingredients:

L-Carnitine, Choline, Inositol, Betaine, Methionine and Chromium Picolinate. These 6 ingredients act by both increasing your body's metabolism to burn fat plus by aiding your body in removing and transporting fat out of your body and increasing synthesis of muscle protein.

Lipotropics prevent an abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver. They are methionine, choline, inositol and betaine. Lipotropics increase production of lecithin by the liver thereby helping to keep cholesterol more soluble and lessening deposits in blood vessels. They also detoxify amines, which are by-products of protein metabolism.

Methionine is a lipotropic amino acid, which reduces fat and aids in lowering cholesterol. It can be substituted for choline that aids in reducing liver fat (lipotropic agent). It detoxifies amines, which are by-products of protein metabolism. Methionine seems to act as a catalyst for choline and inositol thus speeding up their function. A deficiency of Methionine may lead to fatty degeneration and cirrhosis of the liver.

Choline is another lipotropic (fat emulsifier). It aids in emulsifying cholesterol so that it doesn't deposit on arterial walls. It works well with inositol to utilize fats and cholesterol, and it also works well with methionine in detoxifying amines, which are by-products of protein metabolism.

Inositol metabolizes fats and cholesterol and aids in transporting fat in the blood system. Thus it is an aid in the redistribution of body fat. It helps to lower cholesterol levels.

Betaine (trimethylglycine) is a great source of methyl groups. Methyl groups can deactivate harmful substances in the body and convert them to helpful substances. High levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of heart disease. It is relatively easy to lower homocysteine levels by taking methyl rich betaine, converting it to helpful methionine, a beneficial amino acid.

	LIPOTROPIC FAT BURNER TABLETS (Vitamin Station) contain the following ingredients per tablet: L-Carnitine 10 mg Choline Bitartrate 150 mg Inositol 150 mg Betaine 150 mg Methionine 150 mg Chromium Picolinate 50 mcg
	Take 1 to 2 tablets 3 times a day before meals. to buy here

Athletes have long used l-Carnitine for longer workout periods. It is used in fat burners because it helps in converting stored fat into energy. It can also help in controlling hypoglycemia and thereby benefits diabetics. A deficiency can cause impairment of heart tissue. Carnitine has only been recently noted as an important amino acid (the L-form only) essential to our health. L-Carnitine is known to transport fatty acids to the innermost section of the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell), where they are used to create energy resource - adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Studies have shown that carnitine deficiency lowers ATP levels in various tissues and increases the susceptibility to fatigue during strenuous physical activity. Carnitine has been shown to reduce blood triglycerides and cholesterol levels by increasing fat utilization: At the same time, it can raise the HDL ("good") portion of the cholesterol, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Carnitine is stored primarily in the skeletal muscles and heart, where it is needed to transform fatty acids into energy for muscular activity. Many athletes have noted an increased endurance muscle building effect with proper carnitine supplementation.

Chromium picolinate is the most absorbable form of chromium. Chromium is a rare metal and probably 99% of the American population do not get enough chromium in their diet. A higher sugar diet can increase the excretion of chromium. Researchers believe that a chromium deficiency leads to Type II diabetes. It is a good remedy for elevating blood cholesterol and triglyceride. Chromium works well in combination with inositol to lower LDL and increase HDL levels. Research has shown that chromium picolinate can burn fat and enhance muscle even without exercise or a special diet.

The average people taking 6 tablets per day will loss 1 kg (approximately 2 pounds) per week with no diet modifications. Lipotropic fat burner tablets can reduce your body fat levels without having to practice starvation dieting or similar means.

Unjustified hopes
Unfortunately some promising anti-obesity herbal products failed to be effective weight control substances. For example a lot of slimming agents use herbal extract Garcinia cambodia, claiming to be a fat burner. A comprehensive randomized controlled trial (5) was done in which it was determined that hydroxycitric acid, the active ingredient in Garcinia cambodia , which is incorporated into many weight-loss products (for example - CitriMax), did not offer significant weight and fat loss beyond that observed with placebo.

NE's resume:
a) If you are not dramatically obese in order to cut fat and to stay fit you need just control your calorie intake (not more than 2000 kcal per day), add fat burner (remodeling) supplements and go exercise. That will be enough for you. b) If your body mass index exceed 25-30 you are in great danger. Consult you doctor. He might prescribe you Reductil (Sibutramine) or Orlistat (Xenical). He might advise you go on low-calorie diets with educational and psychological support. But anyway Lipotropic Fat Burner would be of imperative use also.

(1) Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1997 Nov;21 (11):987-94.
(2) Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1997 Jan; 21(1):22-6
(3) Adv Ther 1998 Sep-Oct; 15(5):305-14
(4) J. Nutr. 2000 Feb; 130 (2): 152-7
(5) JAMA 1998 Nov. 11; 280(18): 1596-600)