Natural Weightloss

What's Your Favorite Natural Skin Care Product?

Friday, October 2, 2009 by Lauren Kent

As General Manager of Daily Balance I get to receive lots of customer feedback regarding our products. This is great because it gives me a sense how our products are received in the marketplace.

In the last year we've introduced a number of exciting formulas--both supplements and beauty products. Trilane, our olive-based squalane formula, has been especially well received for its wrinkle reducing and firming benefits.

We've also introduced a couple of natural remedies for weight loss that have been flying off the shelves. Daily Balance Silhouette helps reduce 'false fat' (water retention and bloating), while TonaLean tackles true body fat and can help you lose up to 30 pounds in 90 days. Both formulas would be a great addition to anyone looking for a natural weight loss plan.

If you're taking one of our supplements, or using one of our beauty products, I want to hear from you! What do you love? Is something not meeting your expectations?

Also, we're always looking for new solutions and natural beauty product to offer our customers. Have a great product to reduce cellulite? Is there a cleanser that you can't live without? Let me know about it! I'd love to hear from you.

Menopausal Weight Gain Worsens Hot Flashes

Friday, September 25, 2009 by Susan Lark

I just read an article this morning about a new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology that states that women who gain weight as they approach menopause have a harder time with menopause hot flashes. According to the article, it used to be believed that excess weight helped protect against this common effect of menopause because fat contains hormones that are converted into estrogen. But this research confirms that the opposite is true, and that higher body fat and body mass index make hot flashes more pronounced.

Similarly, I wrote recently in my newsletter, Women's Wellness Today, that researchers used to think that exercise worsened menopause hot flashes. But what they determined was that the key was the strenuousness of the workouts. Menopausal women don't need to be working out at an extremely strenuous level, but rather on a moderate level for 35 to 45 minutes at least four days a week to get relief from this menopause symptom.

So what is the take home message from all of this? Simply put, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight throughout life--and especially once you hit menopause--can make the transition into this phase of life much easier. If you are overweight and suffering from menopause hot flashes, your natural weight loss plan should include exercises like yoga and moderately-paced walking or biking.

As far as supplements go, I've given you many recommendations for night sweat and hot flash relief in this blog, but here are some of the newest that I discussed recently in my newsletter, all of which you can find at health food stores and vitamin retailers:

Genistein is a phytoestrogen that provides significant help for menopause hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopause symptoms. If your hot flashes occur four or more times per day, taking geinstein in divided doses should help.
Hops is best known as a flavoring agent in beer, but it also contains a potent phytoestrogen known as 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN). Studies show that 8-PN brings significant relief from hot flashes and other menopause symptoms within just six weeks of taking 100 mcg per day.
Kudzu is a prolific vine that contains the phytoestrogen puerarin. It has been used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve menopause symptoms.

Alli is No Weight Loss Friend

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 by Lauren Kent

Last week the FDA announced that is was reviewing new safety information regarding reports of liver-related adverse events in patients taking the weight loss formula, orlistat. Orlistat is marketed in the United States as a prescription product, Xenical, and as the over-the-counter (OTC) product, Alli.

32 reports of serious liver injury, including 6 cases of liver failure, in patients using orlistat were submitted to FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System. The most commonly reported adverse events described in the 32 reports of serious liver injury were jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), weakness, and abdominal pain. Hospitalization was reported in 27 of the 32 cases.

But what's most disturbing is the FDA announcement is that they're not recommending consumers stop taking the product.

I understand that women are looking for help with their weight loss plans, especially women over 40. During this time weight often begins to creep up as estrogen levels begin to fluctuate and female hormones become unbalanced.

But the liver issue, coupled with the unpleasant side effects of Alli, make it clear that this is no friendly weight loss remedy. Just go to the Alli web site and you can read all about it:

You may get:

gas with oily spotting
loose stools
more frequent stools that may be hard to control

So, you may lose some weight, but you have to stick close to home, just in case you experience an "episode".

Dr. Lark advocates a far safer approach, with with a natural weight loss plan that incorporates a healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

Click here to read about Dr. Lark's latest natural weight loss recommendations.

DHEA for Healthy Weight Loss

Friday, August 14, 2009 by Kimberly Day

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is one of the primary female hormones that is very important marker of aging. Research studies suggest that it is a veritable “fountain of youth” when DHEA levels are balanced and healthy in the body.

DHEA works at many levels in your body, supporting physical as well as mental and emotional functions. For example, it has been shown to lessen menopause symptoms, as well as reduce body fat.

One of the ways DHEA helps support a natural healthy weight loss is that it can influence the changes in weight and body composition that occur over time. Some researchers suggest that DHEA may decrease body fat by blocking the synthesis of fatty acids, which eventually become body fat. Others have noted that DHEA can act as an appetite suppressant and dampen the desire for fatty foods. As the DHEA story unfolds, dieters may someday find that DHEA can be an integral part of a natural weight loss plan.

In fact, in one study published in the International Journal of Obesity, 19 dogs were given increasing doses of DHEA daily. Over the six months of the study, 68 percent of these animals lost an average of three percent of their total body weight each month, without any reduction in food intake. This suggests that DHEA may affect metabolism, the process by which food is turned into energy, causing more calories to be used.

Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism monitored 10 men for body fat. The men, in their early 20’s and matched for weight, were divided into two groups. One group was treated with DHEA, a 400 mg dosage four times a day for 28 days, and the other group was left untreated. The men reported no changes in their regular activities or diet. At the end of the treatment period, it was found that among the five men receiving DHEA, their average percentage of body fat dropped 31 percent. However, there was no drop in weight, suggesting that while there was a decline in fat, muscle mass increased. No change in these measurements occurred in the untreated men.

Supplementing With DHEA

While DHEA is certainly an effective natural remedy for weight loos, it is not for everyone. According to Dr. Lark, DHEA supplementation may be most beneficial for women after menopause. Beginning dosages should range from 5–15 mg a day, then be increased by 5–10 mg a day, as needed. DHEA dosages in women should not exceed 25 mg per day.

Conversely, there is no reason for women who are in premenopause or early menopause to consider taking DHEA replacement therapy. Similarly, women with normal menstrual cycles have no need for supplementing with DHEA since their bodies are making sufficient amounts of this hormone.

If you are in the later stages of menopause and decide to try DHEA, take with food. You should also take DHEA in the morning, to reflect your body’s own production of the hormone by the adrenal glands. Plus, if you take it later in the day, it can have a stimulating effect and sometimes causes insomnia.

Note: DHEA is best used under a doctor’s care. If you elect to use DHEA without a physician’s guidance, buy the lowest-dose products available in your health food store or pharmacy, begin to use it cautiously, and do not go above 25 mg without the guidance and oversight of a physician.

Natural Weight Loss Options

Friday, July 31, 2009 by Susan Lark

I just read about some findings at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Weight of the Nation” conference that is being held this week in Washington, D.C. Experts now report that obesity costs our nation $147 billion per year in medical costs—and obese people spend almost $1,500 more on health care each year than people of average weight.

Clearly obesity has been a serious problem for many years, but what’s so disconcerting is that it’s only getting worse, as is evident by this report. Admittedly, losing weight isn’t always easy, especially as you reach midlife and beyond. It takes commitment and dedication to follow a natural weight loss plan—but it can be done. I recommend taking the following supplements, some of which provide natural appetite control and others that help boost your metabolism and help your body burn fat.

L-carnitine is an amino acid found primarily in meat (especially beef and lamb) and dairy products, with smaller amounts also present in grains, fruits, and vegetables. Several studies have been conducted on L-carnitine and weight loss. One study in particular found that individuals who took supplemental L-carnitine every day, in addition to eating a well-balanced diet and engaging in moderate exercise, lost an average of ten pounds in three months -- a 25 percent greater weight reduction than patients who did not take L-carnitine. Additionally, participants taking the supplement reduced their body mass index by 1.5 points, and reduced their low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol levels as well as their blood sugar and blood pressure levels. I recommend taking 1,000 mg of L-carnitine per day, in divided doses.
Green tea contains polyphenols, remarkable compounds with a host of therapeutic actions. Polyphenols appear to block the enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine, a brain chemical that regulates your metabolism. The higher your levels of norepinephrine, the faster your metabolism, which in turn allows you to burn calories even more efficiently. I recommend 300 to 400 mg of green tea extract a day.
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is an extract of Garcinia cambogia, a small, pumpkin-shaped fruit from India that’s traditionally used as a culinary spice in curry dishes and in traditional folk remedies for a number of ailments. It appears to direct calories away from storing fat and, instead, toward building muscle. In addition, HCA inhibits an enzyme called citrate lyase, which plays a role in turning carbohydrates into fat. By blocking this enzymatic process, HCA is believed to boost the body’s tendency to burn, rather than store, excess carbs. HCA can be found in a variety of diet supplements that are available at most health food stores and vitamin retailers. Some good brands include Life Extension HCA Citrimax (available at www.iherb.com) and Natural Max Super CitriMax (available atwww.nutraceutical.com).

And remember, you simply cannot lose weight and keep it off without engaging in a regular exercise program that combines aerobic and strength training, and following a healthy, mostly organic, vegetarian-emphasis diet.

Key Nutrients that Let You Be Cellulite Free

Friday, July 17, 2009 by Kimberly Day

If you would like to up your efforts to reduce cellulite, there are three nutrients that are particularly effective for reducing the appearance of cellulite. They work by helping to increase the integrity of your connective tissues by strengthening the collagen fibers in the subcutaneous layer. They are gotu kola and grape seed extract.

Gotu kola is one nutrient that has been studied for over 30 years for its ability to reduce the appearance of cellulite. In fact, one study from 1975 found that 58 percent of patients who took gotu kola every day for three months reported very good results in their cellulite reduction, while another 20 percent said they were satisfied with their results. If you are interested in using gotu kola, the recommend dosage is 500–1,000 mg twice a day in capsule form.

Grape seed extract also works to strengthen the collagen fibers, plus it offers the added benefit of improving circulation. The recommended dosage is 50 mg of grape seed extract twice a day.

If you are looking to reduce the appearance of cellulite, add gotu kola and grape seed extract to your natural weight loss plan.

Truvia is True to Its Word

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 by Kimberly Day

Twice a year, I hold week-long SkyLab boot camps with Jackie Warner, star of Bravo TV’s Workout. The most recent boot camp we held was in early June this year.

At the boot camp, Jackie was raving about a new sweetener called Truvia. Because I have seen the ads on TV and in magazines, I was immediately suspicious. Usually, when a “natural” sweetener takes up this type of ad space, it is not very natural. Think Splenda.

As it turns out, my concerns were unnecessary. Truvia is made from rebiana, erythritol, and natural flavors. While I’d like to know a bit more about these “natural flavors,” the other ingredients are fine.

Rebiana comes from the stevia plant, and as you know from my June 26, 2009 posting, I am a huge fan of stevia. Erythritol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is nearly calorie-free. Like other sugar alcohols, erythritol doesn’t spike glucose or insulin levels; however, unlike most sugar alcohols, it doesn’t cause the “laxative” response that come people get with xylitol or maltitol.

All of this makes Truvia a great, sweet option for women suffering from menopause symptoms such as night sweats or hot flashes, as Truvia won’t alter hormone levels. More specifically, it won’t increase estrogen levels, which is a huge plus for women with estrogen dominance.

And, if weight loss is a priority for you this summer, Truvia may be your new best friend. Make it a part of your natural weight loss plan by adding it to oatmeal, green tea, or anything that you want to make just a little bit sweeter.

Hmmm…maybe I can add it to my husband!

The Skinny on Sugar Addiction

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 by Kimberly Day

When I think of addiction, I go right to alcohol or drugs. But one of the most common (and most dangerous) addictions is sugar addiction.

Like most narcotics, eating a diet high in sugar gives you a “high,” and can help to mask negative feelings like loneliness, depression, resentment, or fear. In fact, sugar has opioid or narcotic properties, meaning it acts like an endorphin in your body. But, like any drug, this lift is short-lived, and soon you need more and more sugar to achieve the same effect.

There is also physical withdrawal from sugar. During the SkyLab bootcamps that I run, we break sugar addictions from the onset. And within four to five days, many of the participants experience sugar withdrawal. This can take the form of shaking, anxiety, low energy, and extreme cravings as they come off sugar. And research has shown this detox to be very real.

In a study published in the June 2002 issue of Obesity Research, scientists deprived rats of food for 12 hours, then fed them a glucose solution for the next 12 hours. Withdrawal was then induced using either 24 hours of food deprivation or the withdrawal drug naloxone. In both cases, the rats showed signs of withdrawal, including teeth chattering, shaking, and tremors. Researchers concluded that withdrawal from repeated, excessive sugar intake created symptoms that were similar to those of withdrawal from morphine and nicotine.

Sugar Wreaks Havoc on Female Hormones

Sugar depletes your body of important nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This leaching actually leads to cravings and binges as your body desperately seeks to replenish the nutrients that have been taken away.

It also increases estrogen levels, which can exacerbate estrogen dominance and worsen menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopause problems.

Sugar Sabotages Weight Loss

If you have a few extra pounds you have been fighting to lose, then sugar may be the culprit. Sugar is a born enemy of natural weight loss. Sugar contributes to false fat, increases inflammation, and can worsen digestive problems. It also provides empty calories, meaning you tend to overeat sugary, starchy foods without ever really feeling full and satisfied.

So, if you are looking to lose weight, reduce the appearance of cellulite, and regain appetite control, cut the sugar…today!

Sugar Damages Your Skin

Sugary foods overstimulate your sebaceous glands and can trigger excess oil production. They can also contribute to blood sugar imbalances, which can worsen symptoms of anxiety and stress, both of which can lead to breakouts. Who needs acne at our age!

Sugar also has a vasoconstrictive effect, which translates to decreased circulation to the skin. This can lead to wrinkles and sallow-looking skin. So wrinkle-free skin is your goal, then losing the sugar is the best natural skin care program you can find.

Overcoming Sugar Addiction

Beating any addiction can be difficult, and sugar is no different. I have found that the best way to break your sugar addiction is to go cold-turkey. This means no candy, bakery items, sugary coffee drinks, etc. Nada. Nothing.

This will take about five days to completely break. In that time, lean on fruits when you need a sweet treat, and drink lots and lots of water and herbal tea to help flush the sugar out of your system.

You can also try using to of the nutrients Dr. Lark recommends for controlling your appetite and reducing cravings. These include 5-HTP and chromium.

5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin, a critical neurotransmitter in your brain that influences mood and diminishes hunger. Take 50 mg of 5-HTP twice per day. Take it with half of an apple and 50–100 mg of vitamin B6 to facilitate uptake into the brain.

Chromium is an essential trace mineral that is necessary for controlling blood sugar and helping to reduce food cravings. Aim for 100–200 mcg of chromium picolinate once or twice per day.

What is False Fat?

Friday, May 29, 2009 by Kimberly Day

One of the best tips I ever learned from Dr. Lark was the concept of “false fat.” Dr. Lark explained that women gain weight for two entirely different causes—the accumulation of both fat and "false fat."

Unlike typical “fat,” which accumulates in your body when you either consume too many calories or are unable to burn these calories efficiently, false fat is due to the accumulation of excess fluids in and around the digestive organs, which manifests as bloating and swelling in the abdominal area. This condition is due to inflammation, a process that occurs when tissue is damaged or injured.

This makes sense when you consider that all injuries, whether due to trauma (such as a punch in the arm) or allergens (such as food intolerances) are characterized by an inflammatory response. No matter where the injury occurs, the physical manifestations are the same—redness, pain, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion. Other consequences of inflammation are bloating and swelling, which excess fluid retention in our tissues.

So, when you eat a food that your digestive organs deems injurious, the result is swelling and bloating of the intestinal tract, which can cause your abdomen and midriff to swell. Therefore, one of the first steps in any successful weight loss program must include eliminating false fat. This will not only make it easier to lose excess pounds, but will improve your overall state of health.

Menopause, Metabolism, and Weight Gain

Monday, February 23, 2009 by Susan Lark

Often, when women reach menopause, they experience weight gain. You can thank a slowing metabolism for this! Even if you have followed a healthy diet and have exercised regularly your whole life, after menopause, you need to make adjustments to both if you want to keep the weight off. There are three steps to boost your metabolism in early menopause and beyond:

1. Sweat more. When your daily exercise becomes routine, your body condition adjusts to it and allows your metabolism to slide into autopilot. But if you increase the intensity of your workout so that it’s challenging again, you’ll boost your metabolism and lose weight, even if your new workout burns the same number of calories. So increase the intensity, and you’ll boost your weight loss.

2. Pump some iron. By middle age, most women progressively lose muscle and gain fat mass. Because it takes significantly less fuel to feed and maintain fat mass, you can eat the same number of calories and engage in the same amount of physical activity as you did 10 years ago, and still gain weight.

Strength training helps retrieve some of the muscle you’ve lost and automatically increases your daily calorie burn, even on days when you’re not active. Why? Because, as you’ve probably heard time and time again, muscle consumes more fuel than fat. All you have to do is challenge your muscles more than they’re currently being challenged. For instance, if you’re using 5-lb. weights, move up to 8-lb. weights. As your condition improves, either increase the intensity of your workout or change your routine so that you’re working different muscle groups.

3. Add these nutrients, which boost metabolism:
• Brewer’s yeast contains anti-aging enzymes called sirtuins, which boost metabolism and stamina. I recommend Jarrow Formula’s Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS (www.jarrow.com).
• Resveratrol is a sirtuin activator. I recommend 200 mg of resveratrol, standardized to at least 8 percent total resveratrols and mixed with flavonoids for better bioavailability. I like Jarrow Formula’s Resveratrol Synergy
(www.jarrow.com).

Are you a Fast Processor or Slow Processor?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 by Susan Lark

During menopause, I’ve found that things aren’t as simple as just too much or too little of any given hormone. Instead, my patients tended to experience a total shift in their entire physical and chemical makeup that manifested as one of two patterns. Their body and brain chemistry tended toward becoming either too fast or too slow. For this reason, I call the first pattern estrogen deficiency–fast processor. The second is its mirror image: estrogen deficiency–slow processor.

An estrogen deficiency–fast processor woman is in menopause with too little estrogen. Characteristics include:
• Anxiety
• Thin, dry skin and tissues
• Menopause hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Vaginal dryness
• Sore joints
• Increased risk for heart disease and osteoporosis

An estrogen deficiency–slow processor woman is also in menopause, but she has the opposite body type and temperament. Characteristics include:
• Plumper/difficult time losing weight
• Fluid retention
• Stronger bones and connective tissue
• Thicker skin and hair
• Placid temperament

In future entries, I’ll tell you how to balance your hormones, depending on which of these categories you fall into.