People have been asking me to research this new “natural” weight loss pill for several weeks now.  During that time period I watched and heard of their great success with this product.  It’s all natural because it comes from artichokes.  It is also fortified with B vitamins.  I searched high and low to look for any side effects both online and with clients and friends.

The artichoke pills help to speed up bile production which can aid in constipation and water retention.  It has also been proven to help with bloating, gas, as well as nausea.  Here is some more info from webmd.

Artichoke is used to stimulate the flow of bile from the liver, and this is thought to help reduce the symptoms of heartburn and alcohol “hangover.” Artichoke is also used for high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), kidney problems, anemia, fluid retention (edema), arthritis, bladder infections, and liver problems (source).

As a side note, clients have told me that when they sweat, they can smell the artichoke coming out in their pores.  While researching I also found that 26% of people taking this supplement report acid reflux symptoms and heartburn.  Most reviews on this product say that it’s strong, natural appetite suppressant formula is what helps them to lose weight.

This product seems to have little side effects.  Make sure that you drink plenty of water with this pill to stay hydrated.  My main concern with this product is that people may not eat enough calories.  This will actually put your body into a fat storing mode and cause your body to burn your valuable muscle mass while in this deprived state.  If you are considering taking this pill you should

1. drink enough fluids
2. eat enough calories
3. eat a low fat diet
4. keep your protein intake high enough to retain muscle
5. don’t become dependent on these pills
6. Don’t gorge on high fat foods (even though you may be eating less)

Make sure you don’t become completely dependent on these pills.  They may help you lose weight but there may also be side affects that could be more long term.  Hopefully, this isn’t the next phen phen.

Adria Ali

The super red is packed full of antioxidants from a variety of berries (1670 mg) as well as a pro-biotic blend ( 2710) with enzymes.  There are also tons of the latest super foods such as goji, acai, noni juice (1970 mg)  and more! Each scoop has only 40 calories and 9 carbohydrates.  It has over 8000 ORAC units.  This is 16 times the amount of anitoxidants in 3.5 oz of cherries!

Fit Tip Detox Recipe (with fiber and protein)

• 1 scoop of  Trader Joe’s “Super Red” mix
• 4 oz of  juice (cranberry, pomegranate, or any other berry juice)
• 4- 8 0z of water
• 1 tablespoon of Chia seeds (for added fiber and protein)

Since this drink gives you energy make sure you drink it during the day.  Use it like a daily multi vitamin to give you energy, clear up your skin, and help flush the toxins from your body!  The drink mix runs for 19.99 at TJs but it’s definitely worth the money.  Each Can has 30 serving, so for less then a dollar a day you can have the energy and the stamina to keep up with all of your fitness resolutions.

AKA

      Jillian and Bob from “The Biggest Loser” have definately changed how the world perceives trainers.  Both have made their mark on tv and also through fitness products.  The newest endeavor for Jillian can be seen in your local super market.  It seems as though we have been flooded with products.  The question is… do these products really work?  Or, are they just another way to make money? 

     Here’s the picture I took at Rite Aid.  As you can see, these products aren’t cheap.  However, consumers might try it just based on the fact that a well known face is on the box.  Lets take a closer look at the ingredients of the Fat Burner….

Ingredients

Maximum Strength Fat Burner Proprietary Blend 509 mg.: 

• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Specifically targets abdomen fat and improves muscle development
• White Willow Bark Powder has been used for centuries to reduce pain, fever and inflammation.
• Grapefruit Extract is used as a remedy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, there is no evidence that Grapefruit Extract promotes weight loss.
• Bitter Orange gives you a smooth flow of energy without the jitters while also increasing your metabolic rate. Bitter Orange burns fat without bothering other receptors  that over-stimulate your heart rate and blood pressure
• Sweet Orange is most effective in treating  flatulence, constipation, stress,  dull skin and a slow digestive system
• Coleus Foskohlii Leaf Extract increases lean body mass and optimizes body composition
• Tribulus Terrestris Root Extract has been used for centuries to treat impotence, improve mood, and increase overall health. It is a natural way increase testosterone levels and muscle mass without taking hormones.

Proprietary Xanthine Complex  493.00 mg:

• Yerba Mate Leaf acts as a stimulant and digestive aid.
• Coffee Bean Extract is  high in polyphenols which reduces free oxygen radicals in the body- a major cause of accelerated aging. Green coffee extract has been shown in research to support normal cellular regeneration and growth. Green coffee extract is high in chlorogenic and caffeic acid, two primary compounds responsible for the activity of green coffee.
• Guarana Seed Extract is an exceptional source of natural caffeine, by stimulating the nervous system Guarana  can  boost  the body’s metabolism and act as an appetite suppressant
• Cocoa Seed Extract is associated with mood elevation and appetite suppression.

Other Incredients:  Rice Flour, magnesium stearate, Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Gelatin, Titanium Dioxide, Riboflavin

 

      After reading the ingredients, as well as, how they work.  This product appears to be one of the best out their.  However, there is always an issue when it comes to fillers.  The ingredients listed at the bottom would be considered your “fillers.”  It hasn’t been determined how much flour has gone into this product.  I will say that Jillian did hit the mark by adding mood enhancers to her pill.  People might actually stay on this product based on the mere fact that it makes them feel better ( I know I would!).   

      It should be advised that if you are going to try this product out; make sure you stay well hydrated.  The elevated amount of caffeine (although natural) still has the ability to dehydrate your system.  Based on dehydration, people will see weight loss pretty fast.  However, without a true change in your diet and a consistent exercise routine; this could end up being  just another “magic pill” that doesn’t work. 

Adria Ali

     This is not a new supplement nor has it been ignored over the years.  However, gym goers and workout fiends look past supplements when they need help.  Chromium Picolinate not only levels out your blood sugar, it also has the ability to cut cravings.  This could be huge when someone is trying to come off of sugar or gets late night cravings on a consistent basis.  Check out this study from “Muscle and Fitness For Her.”

Researchers from Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) found that women who took 1,000 mcg (1 mg) of chromium picolinate daily for eight weeks reduced their food intake by a whopping 25%. Those who took a placebo decreased their food intake by only 8%. Both groups experienced eased cravings for carbohydrates, high-fat foods and sweets over time. Women taking the chromium, however, reduced their cravings for high-fat foods to a greater extent than those taking the placebo.

Despite the fact that the human body doesn’t absorb it well, chromium plays an important role in the metabolismof protein, carbs and fat.

 

   As A kid in high school, I remember taking this supplement.  Maybe it’s time that I purchased a new bottle.  There could be a review of this in the future   

Adria Ali

    Since supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, it’s hard to find ones that use the best and freshest ingredients.  We were lucky enough to get samples of some of the best products by “Naturally Nova Scotia.”  Originally, I didn’t think I would be able to tell the difference between one product and the next.  However, after taking some of their most popular products, it was evident that their IS a difference. 

    People love to shop at Costco for vitamins.  As long as they can get the best price, they believe that they are getting a product that is worth the money.  However, the quality of the product and how it is processed does make a difference! 

   Naturally Nova Scotia’s products were fresh and are made with products that are organically grown; free of pollution froom the air, water and soil.  Their manufacturing process is state of the art and uses whole herbs instead of isolated amounts.

    Here are some of the products I tested out….

The fruit contained in our Fruit Antioxidant are rich in free radical fighters. These antioxidants help protect your cells from oxidative damage caused by the generation of free radicals which can lead to cancer, premature aging, and other health issues. Our Fruit Antioxidant contains a synergistic combination of naturally occurring phytonutrients and buffers that aid in absorption and digestion.

Traditionally used to fight off colds, flus and infections of the respiratory tract. The herbs contained in our certified organic herbal tinctures are of the highest quality and are processed using cold temperature techniques to preserve the naturally inherent active ingredients. Botanicals found in whole herbs co-exist with natural plant complexes. This ensures the stability and related bioavailability and activity of the various active ingredients. Our organic herbal tinctures are an excellent source of potent, non-synthetic, bioavailable, herbal botanicals. Our herbal remedies paired with the presence and synergistic effect of Nature’s stabilizers (inherent plant complexes) make Naturally Nova Scotia’s herbals a preferred line of tinctures.

Used in Herbal Medicine to protect the liver, to promote a healthy liver, and to help relieve mild digestive disorders associated with the liver.

    I have used all of these supplements like clock work and they have made a huge difference in my energy and immune system.  All their products taste incredibly fresh, especially the fruit antioxidant!  I’ll be sticking with their brand for years to come!

 Adria Ali

    Coenzyme Q-10 has been promoted as a heart healthy supplement.   However, it wasn’t untill recently that I discovered that it was also an natural energizer. The scientific explanation behind this fact can be confusing.  So, here is the break down in simple terms. 

    Inside the cell your body produces energy in the form of ATP from carbs and fat.  Coenzyme Q-10 works inside the cell to aid the body in the process which converts what you eat into energy.  Therefore this supplement helps you form more ATP (energy).

Research supports the notion that supplementing with CoQ10 boosts energy levels. A recent study from Japan reported that subjects who supplemented with 300 mg of CoQ10 per day for eight days had significantly less fatigue during exercise and recovered faster between exercise bouts.

Energize me: Take 100–200 mg of CoQ10 with breakfast and another equal dose at lunch or dinner (source).

 

   If you are like me, then you want all the help you can get to have more energy and burn more fat!  Looks like I will be heading to the store to pick up some of this.  I can add it to my long list of supplements! 

Adria Ali

     Pushing yourself hard at the gym can lead to some pretty sore muscles the next day.  Although high amounts of caffeine can tax the body; researches are finding that a moderate amount could ease muscle pain. 

Caffeine Reduces Perception of Pain

“Caffeine works on the adenosine neuromodulatory system in the brain and spinal cord, and this system is heavily involved in nociception (perception of pain or injury) and pain processing,” he said. Since caffeine blocks adenosine from working, he speculated that it could reduce pain sensations.

When he was a competition cyclist, he and his team mates used to meet for coffee before their training sessions. “The notion was that caffeine was helping us train harder … to push ourselves a little harder,” he said. “We didn’t know why it worked, but it did.”

Study Shows Caffeine Reduces Pain

Dr Motl and colleagues studied two groups of male college students who they subjected to high level cycling exercise. One group drank less than one cup of coffee a day (less than 1000 mg caffeine), while the other group were habitual coffee drinkers who regularly had three or four cups (4000 mg caffeine) a day.

Students were asked to abstain from coffee or cola drinks before the tests, and then were given a tablet an hour before each high intensity cycling session. The tablets were either 5mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight (equivalent to two cups of coffee) or a placebo, and all students received each tablet.

They were then subjected to 30 minutes of fairly gruelling high intensity exercise, during which their oxygen consumption levels, heart rate, work rate and perception of pain in their quadriceps muscles was regularly recorded. The students were able to cycle longer and harder when they had swallowed the caffeine pill.

The study has been published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

    Don’t get crazy with this information and rev up your caffeine consumption.  Read the article above carefully; they actually only had the amount of caffeine in 1 -2 cups of coffee.  However, if you suffer from pain brought on by strenuous workouts, then you may want to supplement your diet here and there.

      Be careful if you are choosing to supplement with caffeine pills.  Most are dangerously high.  Try using natural sources such as teas, coffee, or a mild dosage. 

Adria Ali

     In the heat of the summer we all perspire.  For many, the hot weather has a way of letting us know that we might need to freshen up here and there.  Who has time to go home and take a shower for the second half of their day???  If you want to be  fresh all day, it could be as easy as chewing a piece of gum!  This new gum, is said to have the ability to freshen your whole body!

Here’s a real challenge, then: chewing gum and smelling great all over. Impossible, you say? Not for the Japanese, who have invented a gum designed to freshen your whole body as it freshens your breath.

It’s all simple enough. Just pop a stick of Fuwarinka’s fresh citrus or fruity rose gum into your mouth. Masticate. (You might even try a little walking.) About an hour later, notice a marvelous aroma and wonder who in the world could smell so terrific. Realize it is you. Rejoice.

How does it work? According to its manufacturer, the scents are transmitted through your skin by mysterious substances called geraniol and linalool (source).

Available online at compactimpact.com.

   Now, dont’ get crazy… you still have to take a shower and wear deodorant.  However, chewing this gum could help make crowded places a little more pleasant.  They should be giving this gum out at the local gym; we could use some help!

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

     Antioxidants can be great for your body on many levels.  They make your skin clear, rid your body of toxins, and keep you energized.  Antioxidants can be consumed in many ways.  One of the best ways is through your food intake.  Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may boost your endurance during y0ur exercise routine.  This study preformed on a group of healthy college students unveils the positive affects of antioxidants on endurance. 

The 12 fit college students, who were not regular exercisers, were given quercetin supplements for 7 days, which appeared to boost exercise endurance compared with a similar 7-day period without supplements, researchers report in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.

Quercetin, a compound abundant in red apples, red onions, berries, cabbages and broccoli, and green and black teas, is believed to have multiple antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and cell-energy activation properties that benefit health.

To test whether quercetin supplements benefit energy production in humans, Davis’ group enlisted 7 men and 5 women, an average of 23 years old, to participate in a crossover study. At the beginning of the study, investigators measured students’ maximum oxygen uptake and the number of minutes they could ride a stationary bike.

For 7 days, the participants followed their regular routines and diet, but drank Tang plus placebo, twice daily. For another 7-day period, the participants drank Tang containing 500 milligrams quercetin. The investigators again measured the volunteers’ maximum oxygen uptake and exercise endurance. This process was repeated after another 7-day period when volunteers drank similar tasting and colored Tang without quercetin.

Compared with days of no supplementation, the quercetin supplement periods were associated with a modest — nearly 4 percent — increase in maximum oxygen uptake. Quercetin was also associated with a 13 percent increase in “ride time” before the volunteers were too fatigued to continue.

These findings suggest quercetin “may be important in relieving fatigue that keeps (people) sedentary,” Davis commented in a university press release (source).

    To preform daily activities and exercise, oxygen is necessary to keep the muscles firing and endurance levels high.  Antioxidants play a key role in filtering out toxins and speeding up the rate at which your body exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide.  If you have been slow, sluggish, and tired then maybe you should consider increasing the amount of anitoxidants in your diet.  If you can’t seem to get it from your food then seriously consider a supplement!

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

    If you know people or have ever had a migraine; then you understand how pain full and debilitating they can be.  Many people seek out help from Doctors who prescribe some pretty powerful drugs that may or may not help.  Research is showing that migraines could be linked to a deficiency in the vitamin B2.  The LA Times had this to say about migraines.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) has been reported to help prevent migraines in some people (Current Treatment Options in Neurology, January 2008). Other possibilities include magnesium, Coenzyme Q10 or the herbs feverfew and butterbur. Not everyone will benefit from such therapies, but we are pleased to learn that riboflavin worked (source). 

 

   A reader followed the advice of the Newspaper article and followed up with this comment…

Thank you for writing about taking vitamin B2 on a daily basis to prevent migraine headaches. I have suffered from them for 17 years and have been to many medical doctors, including two neurologists, two ear, nose and throat doctors and an acupuncturist. I had sinus scans and tried many medications that never worked.

I started taking vitamin B2, and I couldn’t believe how much it helped. I may get an occasional headache now, once a month if that. I used to get a couple every week. I am thrilled to finally be free of headaches for the most part.

   For many this could be the possible cure to their pain and suffering; much like the reader above.  B vitamins are good for many things such as your metabolism and cleaning your body of toxins.  If you don’t take one already, then go out and find a good quality B complex supplement to fulfill your daily needs.

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)