Top 10 Home Remedies For Obesity

Image – © Michael Brown – Fotoia.com

Obesity is not just a vanity issue: It is now considered to be the 5th highest risk factor for death worldwide. ^[1] If your body mass index is between 18.5 and 25, it means the fat accumulation in your body is normal. However, if it reaches 30 or more, you are classified as obese. The higher it gets, the more at risk you are for coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, reproductive problems, and gallstones.

Other than the serious health conditions obesity is linked with, psychological burdens like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem also add to the problem. ^[2]

Burning that excess body fat may seem daunting and “doing the work” is unavoidable. However knowledge is still king – and although healthy eating and exercise are essential, there are many other things that may be able to help you greatly.

The increased production and supply of cheap, tasty, energy-dense food with addictive flavoring, strategic distribution, and persuasive marketing is said to be one of the prime culprits of obesity. Overconsumption of unhealthy food is now regarded as responsible for the most chronic disease. The good news is, obesity is definitely preventable and reversible. Choosing a good diet and knowing which food is good for you is critical. So here’s a detailed report on 10 of the very best natural remedies that have been found by science to have beneficial effects on obesity, cholesterol, and metabolism.

Top 10 Home Remedies For Obesity

1. Lemon

In a study published in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, lemons were found to significantly reduce cholesterol levels in humans. With proper exercise and reduction of fat intake, the group who were assigned to drink one lemon drink per day, significantly reduced their LDL (bad cholesterol) level. Super Tip: The study also found that combining apple with lemon doubles its efficiency in reducing cholesterol levels. ^[3]

Lemons have vitamin C that is considered to help prevent the build-up of plaque in blood vessels that may lead to severe heart conditions. Evidence also suggests that lemon may help keep arteries flexible and protect them against damage. ^[4]

Tips: Drink lemon water about 30 minutes before a meal to get the most energy and nutrients from the food you eat. Choose fresh organic lemons and not packaged lemon juice. Rinse them well. Do not boil hot lemon water, as the heat will destroy some of the beneficial enzymes. Don’t drink it ice cold either because it may hinder the digestive benefits. It’s best to drink it warm or room temperature. One spoon of fresh honey mixed with the juice of half a lemon in a glass of lukewarm water taken first thing in the morning is highly esteemed for constipation, hyperacidity, and obesity.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Dark, unrefined, organically fermented apples naturally contain beneficial enzymes, nutrients and a high concentration of cholesterol-reducing pectin. In a study conducted at Arizona State University, it was found that ACV lowered the impact of carbohydrate-containing foods by raising the blood sugar levels. This could result in better blood sugar readings and improved weight control. Moreover, apple cider vinegar may help satiate appetite, lower high cholesterol level and improve metabolism – thereby reducing weight. ^[5]

Tips: Due to its high acidity, drinking it straight is a no-no. Instead, pour a tablespoon into a glass of fruit drink, preferably orange or lemon to better hide its sour taste. Drink before meals. Also, do not go beyond 2 tablespoons per day as it may lower your bone mineral density.

3. Green tea

Green tea is believed by many to be the healthiest drink in the world. Its antioxidants and caffeine increase metabolism and this may help with weight loss. ^[6] In a new study at Anglia Ruskin University, its active compound called EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate was shown to aid in fat absorption. Combined with exercise, taking green tea capsule each day for four weeks reduced the test subjects’ body fat by 1.63% and increased their fat oxidation rates by 25%. Their athletic performance also increased 10.9 percent over the four week period. ^[7]

Tips: Choose organic green tea, brew with hot but not boiling water… and skip the sugar.

4. Cayenne Pepper

This is interesting: Several studies have indicated that this spicy herb may assist slimming by curbing cravings for sugary, salty and fatty foods. Plus, it lowered appetite. It shouldn’t, of course, be seen as a sole agent for weight loss – but it may provide assistance in equalizing the metabolism. It is also widely regarded to have numerous other health benefits. Its capcaisin content is said to be responsible for temporarily increasing the metabolic rate by 25%. ^[8]

Tips: To suppress appetite, eat an apple, a bowl of soup with cayenne pepper, two glasses of water, and a handful of nuts. A study suggests that a small bowl of light, watery soup before a meal helps in regulating food intake.

5. Curry Leaves

We know curry leaves more as a tasty flavouring agent than as an herbal remedy. Turns out, curry leaves are rich in antioxidants too!

Curry leaves have high antioxidant capacity due to the significant amount of phenols, flavonols, amino acids, and alkaloids. They are reported to lower blood glucose and reduce the risk for heart disease by lowering triglycerides. ^[9]

Tips: Other than using curry leaves as meal flavouring, you can also eat them raw every morning. People who have done it say that they are not bitter like most people assume. The juice in the leaves is reported to contain enzymes that help break down food.

6. Tomatoes

All tomatoes, regardless of color and size, are a rich source of important nutrients and antioxidants = like alpha-lipoic acid, lycopene, folic acid, beta-carotene, and lutein. Tomatoes contain alpha-lipoic acid that aids in the conversion of glucose into energy — among many other functions. Owing to these anti-oxidants, increased consumption of tomatoes is regarded as beneficial in reducing the risk of obesity and mortality. ^[10]

Tips: Raw tomatoes have been shown to be much higher in nutrients than ketchup or tomato sauce! also, note that the tomato skin holds most of the flavonols so don’t waste them. The seeds are safe to eat so don’t spare any part.

7. Cabbage

Early research has linked cabbage to cholesterol level reduction, especially when combined with broccoli. ^[11] Cabbage is high in fiber, which aids in digestion and satiating hunger, but is extremely low in calories. You can enjoy its beneficial vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients without worrying about your caloric intake. This explains why the “cabbage soup” diet is not only satisfying but also healthy (and guilt-free!). ^[12]

Tips: The best way to benefit from cabbage’s cholesterol-lowering agents is to cook it by steaming. It’s interesting to note that this is even more effective than raw cabbage because the fiber-related compounds bind with your bile acids better when they’ve been steamed. Do not microwave or long-cook. Prolonged heat destroys some enzymes that are regarded as helpful in preventing cancer.

8. Fennel

This lovely herb, commonly used in Greek and Italian cuisine, is also packed with nutrients that aid in weight control. All parts of the plant are consumed for taste and nutritional value. One raw fennel bulb already contains a number of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and dietary nitrates.

Certain components of fennel have roles in weight management. Its vitamin B6 for example plays a big role in breaking down carbohydrates and proteins into glucose and amino acids. But fennel’s major weight loss agent is its dietary fiber – which acts as a bulking agent for digestion. As a result, it increases satiety and lowers appetite.
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Tips: For best benefits, eat it fresh and raw. Adding the fibrous parts to salads is a great best way to benefit from it.

9. Honey and cinnamon

When combined together, honey and cinnamon make a great team. Honey is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acid that may help shed pounds and boost energy ^[14] while cinnamon is regarded as a cholesterol reducer – decreasing the body’s negative effects from eating high fat meals. ^[15] Together, they boost metabolism, get rid of the toxins, and increase your energy.

Tips: It’s best to get raw, unheated honey for optimal results. Even raw honey is high in sugar, so use in moderation. Avoid boiling with water or it will lose its beneficial enzymes. For cinnamon, get real cinnamon only – cinnamomum verum. This is very important – see full report on real vs. fake cinnamon.

10. Coconut

Sugary drinks are one of the major culprits of obesity – especially for children. So why not have coconut water instead? Compared to sports drinks, it has fewer calories, less sodium, and more potassium. Most importantly, it has no added sugar or “evil” HFCS. ^[16] Furthermore, it contains natural electrolytes that energize the body and prevent dehydration. Coconut water is considered a highly ideal beverage for the body.

In a study, coconut water was found to counteract the increase in total cholesterol and triglycerides while it increased the levels of good cholesterol or HDL. ^[17] Similar benefits have been found for coconut oil.

Tips: Always choose fresh coconut juice over concentrate. Juices from bottles are most likely heated, and heating juices kill beneficial enzymes. Choose young coconuts because the older they are, the less nutrients remain in the water. There’s nothing wrong with mature coconuts but as they age, nutrients from the waters seep into the meat.