In the United States obesity is reaching epidemic levels. More and more people are turning to weight loss pills in hopes of shedding those unsightly pounds. With the New Year right around the corner, stores will have their shelves well stocked with weight loss pills in anticipation of the after holiday rush. But do weight loss pills really work?



Most reputable companies put out decent products that work to some degree, but not to the extent most people think they do. In the early 90's ephedra hit the market with a lot of fanfare. It promised to burn fat like no other compound. And for the most part, it lived up to that promise.

Unfortunately along with its fat burning power, there was a long list of side effects as well. Many could not handle the powerful stimulant affects of this compound and it was blamed for many deaths. Whether or not this was true, the writing was on the wall and ephedra was banned in the United States and is no longer available.

Are there any other products that work?

Since ephedra was taken off the market, there really hasn't been anything that rivals its weight loss power (save for possibly one).

The most popular weight loss pills today are those containing Green tea and Hoodia. Green tea works through a process called thermogenesis (fat burning), while Hoodia is claimed to be an appetite suppressant. Both are said to be effective at shedding the fat, but nothing like ephedra.

There is however one promising compound that seems to block fructose from converting to adipose tissue.

What's the big deal about fructose?

Fructose may be the biggest cause of obesity in the United States today. Here's a quote from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:

"evidence that a marked increase in the use of HFCS, and therefore in total fructose consumption, preceded the obesity epidemic and may be an important contributor to this epidemic in the United States."

Over the last thirty years, there has been a 40% drop in the use of cane sugar and a 300% increase in the use of high fructose corn syrups! If you look at the label of most products on supermarket shelves today, you will likely find high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient.

What is this new natural substance?

This all natural compound is derived from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Heartwood of Acacia. There more common names are Chinese skullcap and "Black catechu".

What does this compound do?

There are two obesity markers in the blood stream that this natural compound substantially decreases. Chronically obese people have high levels of these two markers. These natural compounds inhibit fat conversion via fructose pathways by down-regulating fat accumulation and up-regulating fat breakdown, thereby decreasing these two obesity markers.

Subjects between the ages of 40 and 75 participated in an independent double blind scientific study conducted by scientists at JSS Medical Research, Inc., in Montreal, Canada. None of the participants were given any advice on dieting or exercise and typically this age group has the most difficult time at losing weight.

On average each participant lost an astounding 7% of their bodyweight compared to zero pounds lost for the participants who were not given this natural compound.

Their results would likely have been much better if they combined an exercise program along with a sensible diet.

These compounds show a lot of promise and may very well hold the key to the obesity epidemic, especially for those who consume a lot of fructose in their diets. Always check with your physician before taking any weight loss supplement.