Due to the popularity of recent findings, green tea has almost become synonymous with weight loss and diet. The addition of green tea diet into diet pills and weight loss supplements is perhaps spurred by reports of harmful side-effects of other drugs like ephedra.

Why Choose the Green Tea Diet?

For four thousand years, green tea has been used all throughout Asia as a beneficial health and medicinal drink. It is different from all other tea diets because its liquid is extracted by steaming the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant as opposed to full oxidation. In this way, the green tea diet manages to preserve a lot more antioxidants and keep them intact for the body to use.

The green tea diet is an excellent source of polycatechin polyphenols, a group of antioxidants that act on free radicals. These free radicals have harmful effects on the body since they are the major causes of diseases and aging. With polycatechin polyphenols, a person has a better chance of avoiding ailments and keeping himself healthy for a much longer period of time.

Another antioxidant in the green tea diet is also being studied as a potential cure for cancer. Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG found in the diet has been discovered to destroy cancer cells while keeping surrounding healthy cells unharmed.

The EGCG also acts with another compound, caffeine (a small amount of this is found in green tea). The interaction of these two compounds causes the diet to promote thermogenesis in the body.

It has been noted by a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that with the consumption of the green tea diet, the body’s total 24-hour energy expenditure is increased by up to four percent. This is roughly equivalent to losing more than 10 pounds of weight a month.

The diet helps increase the body’s metabolic rates. With its thermogenic properties, it is only natural that it can also promote faster metabolism of fats and sugars. Excess glucose found in the body is turned into fats by the hormone insulin. Because green tea has an inhibiting effect on insulin, it therefore helps keep sugar from being stored as fats and instead, send them directly into the muscles for immediate use.

The Downside

Although the diet has a reputation for boosting health, scientific proofs of its health benefits are still somewhat mixed. However, in an article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, American researchers collaborated with their Chinese counterparts to discuss the beneficial effects of green tea diet on cholesterol levels.

Using 240 men and women (average age 55) who possess mild to moderately high LDL cholesterol levels, the researchers instructed them to retain their usual low-fat diet, green tea diet intake, and activity levels. After twelve weeks, it was found that those who consumed the green tea diet extract with their regular meals lost more than fifteen percent of their total LDL cholesterol levels.

Although the researchers never explained how the green tea diet may influence cholesterol levels, previous studies have shown that certain compounds play a role in reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body, increasing amount of cholesterol excreted, and thus keeping cholesterol from being stored in the liver.

Subsequent studies were made to test the findings of the first group of researchers. Their results were contradictory. They found there was no significant effect on the cholesterol profiles of their subjects.

There is no such thing as a miracle diet. The green tea diet like all other diets needs a lot of work and input from those who enroll in it. It requires both discipline and determination for it to make any significant impact on your weight loss goals.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Julie Health writes about weight loss with green tea. Feel free to learn more benefits of drinking green tea.

For 4,000 years, Asians have regarded green tea as something more than just a beverage. the tea was used as herbal medicine and treatment for everything from headaches to depressions and even to weight loss.

Researches have been conducted over the last few years to identify what compound present in the tea makes it a potent health drink. The scientists have found that green tea contains several antioxidants which are responsible for many of green tea’s health benefits, including weight loss benefit.

A research study by American and Swiss scientists on the weight loss benefit of tea was concluded and the results of which were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Urology. During the course of their study, they have found that the tea contains certain compounds that contribute to its weight loss benefit.

Lead researcher, D. Abdul Dulloo said in a press release that there are only two ways to achieve weight loss, either reduce energy intake or increase energy expenditure. Green tea, it seems, has compounds that can increase the body’s normal metabolism rate, thus giving it its weight loss benefit.

At the University of Geneva, where the study was conducted, Dr. Dulloo and his colleagues experimented on ten healthy young men. They theorized that the main contributor to tea’s weight loss benefit is its caffeine content. To test this hypothesis on the tea’s weight loss benefit, they placed the study’s participants on a typical Western diet which is about forty percent fat, thirteen percent protein, and forty-seven percent carbohydrates.

Thrice everyday, the researchers measured their subjects energy expenditure (the measurement used in determining the number of calories burned in 24 hours) and monitored their respiration quotient to find out how well they utilized their carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

When they interpreted the data they collected, they found out that the men receiving regular dosages of the tea extract showed a significant increase in their 24-hour energy expenditure and a reduction in their respiration quotient (which means that more fat is burned, thereby achieving maximum weight loss). On the other hand, those men who were only given caffeine or placebo with every meal showed only minimal increases in their metabolism rates.

The scientists construed that the substance catechin polyphenol present in the tea adds to its weight loss benefit. These substances in tea may alter how the body uses the hormone norepinephrine which is responsible for increasing the metabolism rate, thus leading to weight loss.

In their conclusion, the scientists inferred that the healty tea owes its weight loss benefit to the presence of antioxidants and the substance catechin polyphenol. These substances help

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Green Tea Info is an informative website that looks into all aspects of green tea, used for everything, from detox all through headaches and even depression. To find out more visit Green Tea

For 4,000 years, Asians have regarded green tea as more than just a beverage. It was used as herbal medicine and treatment for everything from headaches to depressions and even to weight loss.

Researches have been conducted over the last few years to identify what compound present in green tea makes it a potent health drink. The scientists have found that the tea contains several antioxidants which are responsible for many of green tea’s health benefits, including a weight loss benefit.

A research study by American and Swiss scientists on the weight loss benefits of green tea was concluded and the results of which were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Urology. During the course of their study, they have found that green tea contains certain compounds that contribute to losing weight.

Lead researcher, D. Abdul Dulloo said in a press release that there are only two ways to achieve weight loss – either reduce energy intake or increase energy expenditure. Green tea it seems, has compounds that can increase the body’s normal metabolism rate which is where it gets its weight loss benefit.

At the University of Geneva, where the study was conducted, Dr. Dulloo and his colleagues experimented on ten healthy young men. They theorized that the main contributor to green tea’s helping remove those extra pounds is its caffeine content. To test this hypothesis they placed the study’s participants on a typical “Western” diet which is about forty percent fat, forty-seven percent carbohydrates, and thirteen percent protein.

Thrice everyday, the researchers measured their subjects’ energy expenditure (the measurement used in determining the number of calories burned in 24 hours) and monitored their respiration quotient to find out how well they utilized their carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

When they interpreted the data they collected, they found out that the men receiving regular dosages of green tea extract showed a significant increase in their 24-hour energy expenditure and a reduction in their respiration quotient (which means that more fat is burned, thereby achieving maximum weight loss). On the other hand, those men who were only given caffeine or placebo with every meal showed only minimal increases in their metabolism rates.

The scientists construed that the substance catechin polyphenol present in green tea adds to its weight loss benefit. These substances may alter how the body uses the hormone norepinephrine which is responsible for increasing the metabolism rate, thus leading to weight loss.

In their conclusion, the scientists inferred that green tea owes its weight loss benefit to the presence of antioxidants and the substance catechin polyphenol. These substances help decrease fat and calorie burning leading to the lose of those extra pounds.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Julie Health writes about the many good health effects drinking green tea has at www.benefitsofgreentea.info. If you’re interested, you can also learn more loosing weight by drinking green tea. Jokingly, her last name is said to be the reason for her involvement in health.

The low carbohydrate or low-carb diet has been one of the most influential diet programs of recent years. The demand for other diet products has grown on the back of its success. Just one of the new trends that have been developed is the weight loss patch.

The idea for these adhesive rectangles originated from the nicotine replacement patch that has successfully helped many smokers to quit their habit. Many diets relied on people taking tablets or capsules to encourage a smaller food intake. Not following this regimen would nullify the effectiveness of the diet. The weight loss patch, on the other hand, need only be applied to the skin once a day. This then provides the supplement at a steady rate throughout the day.

Appetite suppressants, such as algae and seaweed, form the basis of many weight loss patches. Further research also discovered that green tea would make an effective ingredient in the fight against obesity. There have been numerous tests into the actual effectiveness of green tea weight loss patches as appetite suppressants. One such study from the University of Chicago showed that rats lost up to 21% of their bodyweight when injected with green tea.

The health benefits of green tea have long been appreciated in Chinese culture. The drink has been prescribed as a herbal remedy and general tonic for centuries. References to this beverage have been traced to the Ming Dynasty, and even earlier. More recently, research has been undertaken into the possible presence of polyphenol in green tea being successful in preventing the growth of cancerous cells.

It is not just in the prevention of cancer that the polyphenols in green tea may have beneficial effects. The high levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea contributed to an increased metabolic rate in the body. These findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. As someone with a higher metabolic rate is able to burn more calories than another person with a slower one, this leads to slower weight gain. Of course, these findings led to many pharmaceutical companies developing weight loss products that used green tea, including weight loss patches.

Importantly, other products that are used to stimulate the metabolic rate can have dangerous side effects for people with hypertension or a history of hear problems. This makes green tea a far safer and more popular alternative. It is not just supplements that are used to increase the metabolic rate that have potentially dangerous side effects. Unlike green tea, many other chemically produced dietary supplements can cause problems, too.

Another beneficial factor of weight loss patches that include green tea is that they are effective in combating high levels of LDL cholesterol in the body. LDL cholesterol is the cause of coronary heart disease and other serious health conditions. Antioxidants that are found in the green tea in weight loss patches helps eradicate this bad cholesterol and promote the production of another non- harmful type of cholesterol. This is probably one of the main factors that have led to green tea being associated with maintaining the balance of the body.

Disclaimer: If you need more information about green tea, talk to your doctor or a qualified professional.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Copyright © 2006. The above article with information relating to green tea has been submitted by Heather Colman from: green-tea-shoppe.info.

In this world of extreme makeovers and desperate diets, there are two definitive actions that bring about effective long-term weight loss—(1) a high nutrition and high protein, low calorie meal plan and (2) consistent, regular exercise routine. Forget about magic pills that melt the fat away or sauna wraps that steam away inches. There are, however, herbs for weight loss that can supplement—not replace— healthy eating and exercise. These herbs can help increase the body’s digestive and metabolic efficiency and make easier the process of long-term health and weight management.

The principle behind weight loss is that energy intake must not exceed energy expenditure. What you eat must have fewer calories than what you put out in day to day activities. A body composed of lean muscle (built from protein and exercise) will use more calories than an unexercised body. There is every reason to maintain a solid exercise regimen and high protein consumption because you need both to turn your body into a fat-burning machine.

Some herbs that can help weight loss and make this process more efficient are Green Tea, Flaxseeds, Psyllium and Chromium.

Green Tea is not only a powerful anti-oxidant but a fat-burner as well. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (January 2005), consuming green tea rich in catechins leads to a lowering of both body fat and cholesterol. These compounds enhance nervous system activity at the level of the fat cell, causing it to release more fat. In another recent study, one group of subjects was given green tea extract (with 150 mg of caffeine) and 375 mg of catechins three times a day.

A second group was given just 150 mg of caffeine alone and a third group was given a placebo. These subjects spent three 24 hour periods in an energy chamber during which they received their green tea, caffeine or placebo 3 times a day. Results show definitely that the green tea group burned the most energy—by almost 5 percent more when compared with those who received the placebo alone and 3.2 percent more than those who received the caffeine alone. In addition, fat burning was increased in the green tea group.

Researchers speculate that a special antioxidant compound in green tea called EEG may trigger fat oxidation and thermogenesis (fat burning). What is also interesting is that the maximum fat-dissolving capacity of green tea comes from the tea in concentrate form, which provides the benefits of 5-6 cups of tea in a single dose of tea powder. Green tea is an herb that has demonstrated effectiveness in encouraging weight loss.

Flaxseeds provide essential fatty acids which are building blocks the body uses to make fats. The body must get various kinds of fats ( fish oil, flaxseeds oil) not only to ensure proper health but to stabilize blood sugar level. Stabilized blood sugar means stabilized appetite. Unusual hunger and food cravings develop in people who do not consume sufficient essential fats. These people often turn to a high consumption of carbphydrates ( bagels, donuts, chips) because their bodies are on a frantic search for the missing nutrient—essential fats. Moreover, the body has an intelligence of its own; when it is deprived of fats, the body will lower its metabolic rate, store fat as well as make fat. A body deprived of essential fats will turn into a fat-producing machine. Flaxseeds are therefore another form of herbal tools for weight loss.

Psyllium is a soluble fiber that comes from the small reddish black seeds of the “Plantago Psyllium” plant. Psyllium seeds not only help ease constipation, they are effective in lowering cholesterol and promoting weight loss when used in conjunction with exercise and healthy eating. Psyllium helps stabilize sugar in the blood which also controls food cravings. The bulk in psyllium adds to the sensation of fullness and satiety when it is taken in its recommended dose:1-3 tsp of powdered psyllium dissolved in water taken 3 times a day before meals. In a British study, women who took psyllium with water 3 hours before a meal consumed less fat and fewer calories during the meal.

Chromium is a trace mineral found in whole grains, potatoes, prunes, nuts and brewer’s yeast. It seems to help the body use insulin more effeciently so that normal blood sugar levels are maintained. Chromium also helps the body break down protein and fat. In a recent study, people consuming 400mcg of chromium picolinate a day lost 6 pounds over 3 months while another group receiving a placebo lost only 3 pounds. The most significant aspect of the study was that the weight lost by those taking the herbal supplement chromium was in the form of body fat, not muscle.

While all four herbs have demonstrated that they can help promote weight loss, they are by no means magic pills and should be taken in conjunction with a solid nutrition and exercise program.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

A fitness and weight consultant, Mary is helping people reclaim their bodies through nutrition, exercise, positive vision and creative engagement. Visit her atGreatBodyat50 or at ProteinPower

There’s recently been a LOT in the weight loss news concerning green tea.

Green tea’s weight loss effects have been causing more and more people to start sipping the ancient Japanese brew.

But just how does green tea help you lose weight? And does it really work or is it all just hype? This article gives you the real facts about drinking green tea to lose weight.

Advantages of Drinking Green Tea for Weight Loss:

1) Green tea revs up your metabolism

A study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a metabolism ‘boost’).

The researchers also concluded that that over a 24-hour period, green tea extract increases the metabolic rate by 4%. These effects are probably due to the high concentrations of catechin polyphenols found in green tea. These work to help intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the rate at which your body burns calories).

2) Green tea inhibits fat absorption and helps glucose regulation

Experts tell us that the catechins in green tea help to inhibit the movement of glucose into fat cells. Green tea may also act as al glucose regulator. It helps to slow the rise in blood sugar after a meal. This prevents high insulin spikes (lots of insulin promotes fat storage) and the subsequent fat storage.

3) Green tea may help reduce appetite

Scientists at the University of Chicago found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21 percent of their body weight. Rats injected with a green tea extract lost their appetites and consumed up to 60 percent less food after seven days of daily injections. This may have something to do with the blood sugar regulating effects of green tea.

4) Green tea can help you save calories on your morning brew.

We are a nation hooked on our java. Be it the regular double-cream, double-sugar standard or that mocha, dappa, frappucinno, the calories we ingest just to get our morning caffeine is wreaking havoc on our waistlines.

If you want to save mega-calories in the morning but still get your caffeine fix, try substituting green tea for coffee. Or have a green tea in the afternoon instead of that 700 calorie mocha-chillate dream. You’ll definitely notice the difference in your waistline after a few weeks.

So there are 4 ways that green tea can help you with weight loss. But how much do you actually have to drink to get these amazing metabolism boosting effects?

Experts vary but the general consensus seems to be that 3 – 5 cups of green tea per day is optimal. Doing this can help you burn an extra 70 calories per day which amounts to 7 pounds per year. Pretty good for not exercising or cutting calories, right?

However, 3 – 5 cups can be a lot for some people, so you might also want to consider green tea extract, green tea pills or a green tea patch.

Disadvantages of Drinking Green Tea For Weight Loss:

#1) Green tea is not a magic bullet

While some people will tell you that green tea is the be-all-end-all for weight loss success, I think the keyword here is balance. You’re not going to eat 5000 calories a day, drink a cup of green tea and make it all go away – it just isn’t going to happen. A healthy diet and increased exercise will go a long way in helping you lose weight and keep it off.

#2) Be cautious of the caffeine if you have health problems

For some people that have heart troubles, high blood pressure or stimulant sensitivities, the caffeine in green tea may not be the best idea. If you’re worried about the caffeine from green tea, try taking green tea extract. Most green tea extract is made from decaffeinated green tea so you can still get the weight loss benefits without the caffeine.

If you think the caffeine may be a problem, make sure to consult your doctor before starting green tea for weight loss. Also make sure to consult your doctor before starting green tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Bottom Line: Green tea helps you with weight loss by boosting your metabolic rate, regulating your blood sugar, suppressing your appetite and giving you something else besides that high calorie, high sugar coffee beverage to drink in the morning. While it’s not the magic bullet, it can definitely give you a boost in weight loss and in your overall health!

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Kathryn O’Neill is a contributing writer to Diet and Weight Loss Reviews . For more free weight loss tips and diet reviews, visit www.freetobethin.com.