Thyroid boost: When you consume less calories, the body slows down metabolism making fat loss that much more difficult Levels of thyroid hormone, which help support metabolism, drop off when calories decline. The following three products support thyroid levels so you can continue burning the maximum calories while dieting.

a)Phosphates. Phosphates salts of sodium, calcium, potassium keep thyroid levels up while dieting. A study showed that women eating as few as 1,000 calories per day increased their metabolism by 12%-19% when taking a supplement that consisted of sodium phosphate 25mg., potassium phosphate 107 mg., and calcium phosphate 537 mg. Several manufactures offer this balanced supplement: MuscleTech Caffeine-free Hydroxycut, FSI Nutrition Phosphate Edge.

b)7-Keto. This is a precursor to DHEA that supports thyroid levels. A study showed that overweight women taking 200 mg. daily lost more weight than those not taking the supplement.

c)Guggulsterone. This is a plant derivate common to India that supports thyroid hormones. Guggulsterone has been used for hundreds of years in Asia as a weight-loss remedy. It helps burn fat and can help lower cholesterol. Take 500-mg. daily.

Thermogensis. Mildly increasing core body temperature, causing more calories to be burned rather than stored as fat. When dieting, thermogensis often declines. The following four ingredients help.

a)Capsicum. Red pepper. They incite the sympathetic nervous system, causing the body to burn more calories. Research shows that peppers boost metabolic rate. 100 mg. three times a day.

b)Green tea. Green tea contains a small amount of caffeine, which increases calorie expenditure. But it is the polyphenols that stimulate calories burning brown fat that surrounds the organs and spinal column. Combining green tea and caffeine boost the metabolic rate and thus fat-burning potential for a full day. Green tea also contains strong antioxidants that prevent the development of some forms of cancer. Dosage: 400-mg. daily.

c)Citrus Aurantium. Also called bitter orange or Zhi shi, this fruit is common to Asia. Extracts stimulate special parts of the nervous system called beta-3 receptors, resulting in calorie-burning. It burns calories without "wiring" you. It prolongs the effects of caffeine. One study showed that caffeine and citrus Aurantium added to the herb St. John's wart was extremely effective in shedding fat. Dosage: 15 mg. daily.

d)Forskolin. The main ingredient of the herb Coleus Forskolin, it initiates fat-burning by activating an enzyme called adenylate cyclase, which encourages the use of fat for fuel. It is a member of the mint family and is used in herbal medicines to treat indigestion and some heart aliments. Dosage: 30 mg. daily

Herbs

a)Fenugreek. This is an herb that may control the rise in blood sugar associated with heating. Controlling blood sugar levels helps you stay out of a fat-storing mode and keeps your appetite under wraps. Dosage 500 mg. twice daily

b)Yohimbe. Is an herb derived from the Carynanthe yohimbe tree common in

West Africa. It blocks the release of alpha-adrenergic fat-cell receptors, which in turn upgrades fat-burning. Dosage: 20-30 mg. daily.

c)Garlic. Garlic is known as stinking rose. It stimulates adrenaline and UCP (uncoupling proteins). UCPs are located in brown fat, the metabolically active fat surrounding the spine. UCPs cab increase calorie-burning. Garlic may help regulate blood-sugar levels, preventing the crash from eating carbs. Dosage: fresh garlic daily.

d)Calcium. Dietary calcium triggers hormones that prevent fat production and boost fat breakdown. Calcium helps control body weight by reducing the amount of fat absorbed after meals. Non-fat dairy products (stick to the cheese and yogurt - many are allergic to milk) help maintain blood sugar longer. Adequate calcium intake is important for bone health and weight control. And calcium, it seems, helps overweigh intervals lose weight primarily from their waste lines. Dosage 200 mg. daily.

Tid-Bit: when is a calorie not a calorie?

One of the most basic rules we learn in any nutrition class is caloric balance - calories in vs. calories out - determines whether you gain or lose weight. Why is it then that some people lose more weight on high protein diet than a high carb or high fat diet?

Researchers think they've found the reason. It takes energy to digest food. Consuming one gram of protein (5.65 calories) yields only 4.0 calories of energy. One gram of fats (9.4 calories) yields 8.9 calories of energy. One gram of carbohydrates (4.1 calories) yields 4.0 calories of energy. You lose nearly 30% of the energy when consuming protein, but only 7% from fat, and 2% from carbohydrates. This accounts for about half the weight loss difference from people on a high carb vs. low carb diet. The other half is due to water loss in people on a low carb diet. Every gram of glycogen (stored carbohydrate) is stored with three grams of water. Low carb diets deplete the muscles and liver of glycogen, which releases water and causes weight loss.