When you talk about losing weight, there is always the issue of suppressing appetite. Well, it makes sense, after all, weight gain is much a result of what and how much goes into the mouth. Health experts have always pointed out that to effectively lose unwanted pounds and maintain ideal weight, a person should learn how to control the quantity of food that one eats. This logical step goes hand in hand with ensuring optimum amounts of calories are burned by the body.

No wonder then that a lot of weight management products are specially formulated to decrease the appetite or craving for food. Take for instance Phenocal. This is one of the fast rising weight loss products manufactured by Pharmaxa Labs and being sold via the Internet. Available in capsule form, Phenocal claims to restrict and put appetite in check.

For many weight watchers, this may seem a bold assertion. But how the product can deliver its potential can only be revealed by the components that make up each capsule. Reviewing the ingredients in Phenocal, as stated in its label and website, shows that it indeed contains some of the well-known appetite suppressants used since ancient times.

Cocoa Extract

Cocoa is the same plant where chocolate is derived from. The fact that this plant can help in losing weight may sound unbelievable for some, since goodies made from chocolate are some of the worst causes of gaining unwanted pounds. Well, strictly speaking, the copious amount of sugar in some chocolate bars may be the one to blame. But as for the cocoa plant, particularly the extract, it contains a substance known as theobromine which has been known to increase the secretion of serotonin in the brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is responsible for controlling biological functions like sleep and appetite. Having sufficient amounts of serotonin can bring about a feel-good perception. But more than the happy state of mind, it can also effectively suppress appetite which may be a direct effect of the induced sense of fullness or contentment.

Green Tea Extract

When it comes to suppressing appetite, green tea stands on a very high pedestal. In a study done at the University of Chicago, green tea extract was injected into laboratory rats. After a week of observation, the subjects were found to have lost over 20.

As for humans, a related study done at the University of Geneva in Switzerland and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men who were subjected to a daily brew of caffeine and green tea extract had better control of their appetites and burned a lot more calories than other men who were only allowed to have caffeine and placebo. Researchers believe that a plant-based chemical called pigallocatechin gallate, which is abundant in green tea, can spur the production of a hormone known as noradrenaline or norepinephrine, which in turn can suppress appetite for food.

Glucomannan

This is a soluble fiber that can fasten itself to a wide variety of other substances. When inside the digestive tract, glucomannan can help relieve constipation and considerably reduce fat and carbohydrate absorption in the intestinal walls. For this reason, glucomannan is often included in supplements that deal with high levels of triglycerides or cholesterol in the bloodstream.

As for appetite suppression, glucomannan can take up significant amounts of water when inside the digestive tract; this allows a person to feel full for longer hours. Hence, this highly soluble fiber is a good ingredient in weight management products as well.

By using these three natural-based appetite suppressants, Phenocal can assist people who are overweight or obese in their quest to shed unwanted pounds. And since these components are all plant-based, chances of having harsh side effects are lessened if not totally nil.