Overweight is a big problem for millions of people in this world. Statistics shows that around 70% of American population is victim of overweight, and the number is continuously on the rise. Further, overweight has been widely touted as the root cause for many critical illnesses like heart diseases, depression, and diabetes, and less critical ones such as osteoarthritis and sleep apnea. So the scene is alarming and there is only one way out of this abyss – reduce those extra pounds around one’s waist. And the best way one can do this through a controlled diet and using dietary supplements to compensate for the loss of nutrients due dieting.

In the following paragraphs, we’ll see about the need for weight loss supplements, some popular dietary supplements and a piece of advice on selecting the right supplement from the store near you. Here we go!

The easiest way that comes to one’s mind for shedding weight is to do the opposite of the action that in fact puts up weight – to skip meals. But this is the least advisable step because doing so deprives the body of essential nutrients and other compounds thereby adversely affecting the entire metabolic functions. Hence it is better to follow a balanced dietary program with necessary dietary supplements consumed to backup the losing minerals and vitamins. And while selecting dietary supplements or diet weight loss supplements, better prefer herbal nutritional diet vitamin supplements over pharmaceutical ones.

The popular herbal dietary supplements available in the market include Arginine, DHEA, HMB, Fiber, 7-KETO, and Chitosan. Further, it is advisable to use weight loss herbs such as Spirulina, Green Tea, and Garcinia Cambogia as ‘supplements’ to these herbal dietary supplements for it will enhance the results further.

And we end with a piece of advice – As there is not strict law in US to check the quality of herbal weight loss supplements, it is the duty of the customer to see that the product he/she buys is indeed the original one and not anything spurious. Else it is not weight alone that is going to get affected, but one’s overall health as well. Hence make doubly sure that you are paying for the right dietary supplement. Good Luck!

Before there were packaged goods, processed foods, GMOs and an ongoing debate between organic or not, there was dirt, seeds, water and roaming animals. It may be hard to consider now, but the dawn of man produced hunters and gatherers and humans had to get their own food – not by heading to the supermarket.

There were no sprays to kill insects, no chemicals or genes added or modified. No extra-large tomatoes or vibrant yellow bananas. Food was simple. It was either found, picked or hunted. And although there weren’t doctors or research scientists to confirm the benefits of such eating, it seems that when it comes to dietary habits, eating like our ancestors has some merit.

Diets come and diets go, but one in particular seems to have staying power and for good reasons as well. It’s based on eating similar to that of prehistoric man and it’s being touted as one of the best way to eat. It’s called the Paleo diet.

What is the Paleo diet?
The Paleo diet was created by Loren Cordain, a now-famous author, speaker and professor of health and exercise science at Colorado State University, who specializes in disease and diet. The Paleo diet itself reflects food items and methods of eating similar to our Stone Age ancestors – that’s right, this diet is framed around eating like cavemen. Through scientific research and peer-reviewed studies, Cordain has uncovered many health benefits to eating the Stone Age way.

There are seven premise on which the Paleo diet guidelines are based:

High protein
Low carbohydrates and low glycemic index
High fiber
Moderate to high fat intake – monosaturated and polysaturated fats with omega-3s and 6s

High potassium, low sodium
Net dietary alkaline balances dietary acid – some foods produce acid (meat) and others are alkaline (fruits and vegetables). Eating a balance of both alkaline and acid foods can have positive health effects.

High intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and plant phytochemicals.

Honey is not a sugar but a natural compound that is sweet. It contains some vitamins and minerals that make it nutritious as well, whereas the normal sugar is simple plain sugar which has no other ingredients. Sugar is considered the main culprit to add to the body weight and anything that can replace it to have a sweet taste is a great help in losing weight. Honey can be the most acceptable sugar replacement.

Low glycemic index for starters
Honey does not make a rush in the sugar level in the body. It is absorbed slowly into the body to have a steady supply of energy. The brain cells may panic when there is a drop in the blood glucose level. When honey is consumed, it urges the liver to release the stored glucose into the bloodstream to balance the normal levels.

How honey helps in weight loss
Replace the sugar to add sweetness. The less the sugar is used, less will be the contribution towards the stored fat. It provides energy boosting by speeding up the metabolism. The faster metabolism will also bring down some amount of fat as well. Unlike sugar, honey can also provide antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It can serve as an immune booster also.

Controls appetite: Honey is a natural appetite controller. Many a times the reason for weight gain or lack of weight loss is over eating, even if we eat enough, the body and mind does not feel full and we end up eating more than what is necessary. By adding honey in the diet- drink or food, the food cravings, especially the sugar cravings can be cured.

To melt the fat away: Yes, you heard it right. Honey is an excellent way to lose fat molecules at night when we sleep. Increasing the metabolism at night is possible by drinking a glass of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of honey. The usual night-time metabolism may be increased this way and more amounts of fat molecules are broken down than usual. The midnight snacking, dry mouth at night or at early night is also solved with this method. It improves the liver functioning and helps make it healthier.

Endure the workouts: Without workouts or physical exercises it is not healthy to lose weight. For those who are heavy workout freaks, get a bottle of warm water with a teaspoon of honey mixed in it. Keep it handy and sip this water before, during and after the workouts. It hydrates, cleanses the system, and provides energy for the intense workouts and at the same time help loses fat also.

Reduce cholesterol levels: Studies show that honey can reduce both the total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol levels. It reduces cardio vascular risks and weight gain. The antioxidants in honey will prevent the cholesterol from getting out of the bloodstream into the cells or adhere to other body parts. It also has minerals and other nutrients that can naturally lower the blood cholesterol level.

Some honey recipes
Honey is nutritious and helps lower the body weight as it is. It has improved benefits when it is combined with some specific partners such as cinnamon, lemon, or warm water.

Honey and warm water is an excellent drink to improve metabolism. It works anytime, especially in the morning and at night before going to bed. Keep it comfortably warm and not hot. The heat can destroy the useful ingredients in honey.
Honey and lemon is a natural detox mix. Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice and 1-2 spoons of honey in a glass of warm water in the morning on empty stomach. It cleanses the digestive system and gets rid of many toxins to help with faster weight loss.
Honey with cinnamon: mix one teaspoon each of honey and cinnamon in a cup of warm water and have it on empty stomach in the morning. It not only lose fat molecules but can also regulate the blood sugar levels. It is an excellent remedy for weight gain during diabetes.