What it does: Destroys cravings, primes your metabolism and more.
Why It works: "Often we crave food because we need specific nutrients. For example, chocolate is an excellent source of magnesium," says Tucker. "Other times, we crave food to boost our energy - energy that's low because we're not covering our nutritional bases." In short, the better nourished you are, the less hungry you'll be. Various vitamins and minerals are also necessary for metabolism. Still others boost your immunity, and there's new evidence that a virus may be to blame for some of our excess pounds. While traditional vitamins, synthesized in a lab from various chemical components, are fine, you'll get better results if you take vitamins in a form that's easier for your body to assimilate, explains Tucker: choose vitamins that are extracted whole from ordinary food. `That way, you're not just getting the isolated nutrient, but also subnutrients and undiscovered nutrients contained in, say, a carrot, that help the body absorb different vitamins and minerals," she says.
Living-proof success story: Diane Cothren, who went from a size 14 to a size 6 in three months, says that after three days of supplements, her nonstop cravings for pasta and cheese stopped. "I remember going to an Italian restaurant that makes my favorite spaghetti," she recalls. "I didn't even want it!"
Recommended daily dosage: Follow the package instructions on any formula marked all-natural such as Solgar's Earth Sources or Source of Life, or GlycoLean Catalyst (GlycoLean products are available at ---)*
What they do: Shrink hunger, increase energy and more.
Why it works: "People say, `You are what you eat,' but really you are what you absorb," says Steve Nugent, N.M.D., PhD, who specializes in nutritional supplements. Like Tucker, he recommends folks with weight to lose take digestive enzyme and fiber supplements. Why? First, studies have shown that enzymes enable your body to break down food more completely and extract more nutrients - nutrients that are valuable weapons in the war on fat. Second, by taking these enzymes in combination with fiber - which slows the rate at which food moves through the digestive system - you give your body more time to extract nutrients. And third, fiber expands in your stomach, so you feel satisfied but eat less food. It also keeps blood sugar stable, which has been proven to minimize cravings.
Living-proof success story: `The first time I took the supplements, I felt satisfied after eating about half the food on my plate," says Dana Baker, a Nashville writer. "As time went on, I wanted less and less food." She also wore smaller and smaller sizes. "One day I pulled out a size 8 dress that hadn't fit in years," she says. `That's when I realized how much the supplements had helped me. I hadn't even been exercising!"
Recommended daily dosage: About 30 minutes before meals, follow package instructions on a flaxseed fiber supplement, such as Natural's Psyllium Seed Husk or Aloe Life Fiber Mate, and a digestive enzyme supplement, such as Natural's Papaya. Other options: Tucker's Eliminator or GlycoLean's Fiber Full, which contain fiber and enzymes.
What they do: Boost your metabolism and make exercise feel easier.
Why It works: Nature has its own proven metabolism boosters - including green tea and cayenne pepper. But most of us don't consume enough of them to make a difference in our calorie-burning power. "By taking a concentrated form of the compounds that raise the metabolism, you see and feel a big difference very quickly," Tucker explains. Plus, when you burn more calories for energy, fatigue flies out the window and you become more active!
Living-proof success story: "I was a yoyo dieter for years, and I thought I messed up my metabolism so badly, it would never be normal again," says Dana. "But ever since I lost the weight, I don't even pay much attention to what I eat. I just burn it off"
Recommended daily dosage: About 20-30 minutes before breakfast and lunch, follow package instructions on a formula containing green tea extract, cayenne pepper extract or both. Brands to try include Herbal P.F. Stage 2 (available at health-food stores) or GlycoLean Accelerator**". "Because thermogenic herbs are mild stimulants, anyone who is more than 30 pounds overweight and on more than two prescription drugs or anyone on high blood pressure, diabetes or thyroid medication should not take them," cautions Tucker.
What they do: Control your sweet tooth, help replace jiggly flab with sleek muscle and more
Why they work: Research has shown that chromium increases lean muscle mass and reduces body fat. In one study, a group of overweight women who took 400 mcg. of chromium supplements daily lost 50% more fat than a group who didn't take chromium. Scientists also have evidence that chromium helps control your appetite, particularly cravings for sweets, by stabilizing blood sugar levels, says Tucker. Similarly, DHEA has been shown to help replace stored fat with lean muscle.
Living-proof success story: "Even when I was younger and slimmer, I always had a little pot belly," admits Tucker. "I thought I was stuck with it. But now my tummy is flatter than it ever was." Recommended daily dosage: 400 mcg.of chromium picolinate supplements and 25 mcg. of DHEA supplements daily. Tucker's "Build and Burn" formula --- contains both ingredients.
-Lindy Warren
*Check with your doctor before taking this or any other supplement.
**These products may contain ephedra; check with your doctor before taking.
Woman's World 8/28/01 Page 17-18