Originally published July 14 2014
Natural compounds to improve hormonal function and aid weight loss
by Dr. David Jockers
(NaturalNews) Weight loss resistance is characterized by the inability to maintain an appropriate weight despite exercise and dieting. This is due to hormones and inflammation. Weight gain and particularly abdominal fat is a classic sign of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. There are natural compounds that can help improve hormonal function and favor lean body tissue development and the loss of excess fat weight.
People with weight loss resistance have blood sugar instability and elevated insulin (fat storage hormone) and elevated stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline). They also have poor fatty acid utilization and lowered cellular energy production. This creates a vicious cycle of poor energy, blood sugar dysregulation, chronic stress and fat accumulation.
There are many natural compounds that could be discussed but several great ones include green coffee bean extract, ashwaganda, L-glutamine and L-carnitine.
Green coffee bean extract
The major anti-oxidant in green coffee bean extract, chlorogenic acid, has been shown to profoundly inhibit the release of the G6P enzyme which significantly stabilizes blood sugar levels.
In one clinical study a dose of 400mg of green coffee bean extract showed a 32 percent reduction in the post-meal blood glucose spike.(1) This translates into someone who would have an extremely dangerous 160mg/dL blood sugar level down to a safe post-meal level of 109mg/dL.
Stable blood sugar allows for better energy, mental clarity, hormone function, detoxification capabilities and weight loss. Research has revealed that green coffee bean supplementation is effective at helping overweight individuals lose weight.(2)
Ashwaganda
This exotic herb has powerful antioxidant properties that protect the brain and nervous system. In a study, animals exposed to chronic stress had 85 percent of their cells showing signs of chronic degeneration. When ashwagandha was administered to another group of chronically stressed animals, the number of damaged cells dropped by 80 percent.(3)
In the largest human trial using ashwagandha, the herb was shown to reduce cortisol levels by up to 26 percent. Chronically elevated cortisol increases inflammatory and degenerative processes in the body. Additionally, the participants had a lowered fasting blood sugar level and improved lipid profile patterns.(4)
L-glutamine
Glutamine is also a very important player in healthy neurological function and has been shown to improve mood, concentration and memory. Glutamine easily crosses over the blood-brain barrier where it is converted into L-glutamic acid.
Glutamic acid is essential for cerebral function. Glutamic acid is unique in that it can be converted into an energy source for neuronal cells when blood sugar is low. This characteristic is thought to be responsible for glutamine's ability to damper sugar and alcohol cravings.(5)
L-carnitine
This nutrient is critical for fat metabolism and energy production in the cellular mitochondria. Carnitine is naturally produced in the liver and kidneys. It is used in its most concentrated form in the heart and skeletal muscles where it plays an important role in energy production and detoxification. It is also found in the brain and male sperm cells.
Carnitine helps muscle cells drive energy efficiently from fat metabolism (6). Up to 70% of the energy produced by muscle cells (including the heart) come from burning fats. Carnitine is the gate-keeper that allows fatty acids to pass into the mitochondrial furnace effectively.
With inadequate carnitine the body is unable to effectively burn fat for energy.(7) This makes it more dependent upon glucose and can lead to symptoms of blood sugar dysregulation and weight loss resistance.
Sources for this article include:
1) http://www.lef.org
2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22291473
3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11536389
4) http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/jun2006_report_ashwa_01.htm
5) http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag99/sep99-report3.htm
6) http://www.lef.org/abstracts/codex/acetyl-l-carnitine_index.htm
7) http://www.lef.org
About the author:
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
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