Losing weight with appetite suppressing drugs, herbs and macronutrients

Wednesday, July 06, 2005 by: Dani Veracity
Tags: weight loss, appetite suppressants, appetite suppressant

Are you trying to lose weight? If so, let me ask you a question: What would make your weight loss goals easier to achieve? Aside from having those pounds magically melt off, appetite control would probably help you the most, right? Unfortunately for most people, appetite control is easier said than done. We'd all like to look at a chocolate bar, a piece of cake or ice cream and experience no desire for it whatsoever, but many of us have psychological dependencies on these so-called "comfort foods." You may have tried fad diets or dangerous pills to try to lose those pounds and inches. But in the long term, they've all failed. So now what? Now is the time to really take control of your diet and body by finally controlling your appetite the right way.

Here's a general rule: Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Similarly, before you learn how to really control your appetite and weight, you need to learn what doesn't work so that you can avoid it. If you wanted to, you could decide to become a methamphetamine addict and yes, you would lose weight. But you would also lose many other things, like your teeth, your money and your dignity. But still, weight loss would definitely occur.

Of course, the above was an extreme example, but not all misguided methods of weight loss are as obvious. After the FDA banned amphetamines as appetite suppressants, diet pill manufacturers started producing pills containing caffeine, ephedrine and phenyl-propanolamine in one huge triple dose. When combined together, these three substances "produce effects and dangers very similar to those of amphetamines," according to Stephen Cherniske in Caffeine Blues. In other words, the manufacturers found a way to give consumers amphetamine-like diet pills while circumventing the FDA's prohibition. In 1982, the FDA realized what was happening and banned the triple combination of these substances as well.

More recent appetite suppressant fads include the combination of fenfluramine and phentermine (Fen Phen) and ephedrine (Ephedra). In 1997, the Mayo Clinic reported that Fen Phen caused heart valve disease in 24 people, sparking lawsuits and widespread media coverage. To many people, "Fen Phen" has now become synonymous with "dangerous." However, Ephedra is still a hot topic in the media and legal system. The FDA has been steadfast in its ban of Ephedra in spite of a federal judge's decision to strike down the ban.

The FDA's decision probably has more to do with its mission to discredit herbal drugs in favor of more dangerous – yet profitable – prescription medicines than with any earnest desire to keep the public safe, according Mike Adams. You can read about the FDA's real war against Ephedra in both a brief article by the Health Ranger and the Health Ranger's discussion of the FDA's policies on Ephedra versus Sudafed.

So is Ephedra safe? It has been linked to 155 deaths in the United States. But remember also that prescription drugs are linked to 100,000 deaths and 2.2 million injuries per year. Ephedrine, meanwhile, has been safely used around the world for thousands of years. Ephedra certainly seems a lot safer than legal prescription drugs.

Alternative medicine guides list many natural compounds that may serve as appetite suppressants. Among these compounds are guar gum, St John's wort (also an antidepressant), garcinia, Jerusalem Artichokes and Dahlia roots. The most powerful appetite suppressant, however, is a healthy diet. A healthy diet should include vegetable-based proteins. Proteins lower insulin levels, according to Everything You Need to Know about Fat Loss. Lower insulin levels mean more appetite control (spiking insulin initiates hunger pangs).

A healthy diet also should contain carbohydrates with a low glycemic index, according to Dr. Thomas Wolever in The Glucose Revolution. These carbs "fill you up" and make you less likely to overeat. In fact, Dr. Wolever writes, "Consider them natural appetite suppressants!"

If you want to know exactly which foods naturally suppress your appetite, all the information you need is right here on NewsTarget. Be sure to read the Health Ranger's article Five appetite control foods that suppress cravings without adding calories. Just like these natural appetite suppressants, your weight loss goals and desired body image are more accessible than you might think.

The experts speak on appetite control:

At nineteen Liz … went to a doctor and got diet pills, or amphetamines. These little tablets …made losing weight (and cleaning her apartment) a breeze. These stimulant/appetite suppressants are known now as speed and are illegal. Liz knows why. She lost twenty-five pounds and stayed extremely thin as long as she was on the pills, about five years. But after she got married she decided to go off them because of her emotional reactivity and heart palpitations. In just one year Liz gained fifty pounds. The slender bride had disappeared in a hurry.
Breaking Out Of Food Jail by Jean Antonello RN BSN, page 185

Ecstasy Euphoria-inducing stimulant and hallucinogen. It is a derivative of the amphetamine … Developed in 1913 as an appetite suppressant,. …. The drug increases the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin and blocks its reabsorption in the brain; it also increases the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine. .
Britannica Encyclopedia Volume One, page 583

"Use of other stimulants for appetite control and their side effects"

After amphetamines were banned, manufacturers started producing a combination of caffeine and related stimulants like ephedrine, together with a popular appetite suppressor found in diet aids known as phenyl-propanolamine (PPA). All of these drugs are adrenal and CNS stimulants, and when combined, they produce effects and dangers very similar to those of amphetamines.6 In 1982, the FDA caught on and banned the triple combination of caffeine, ephedrine, and PPA.
Caffeine Blues By Stephen Cherniske MS, page 262

After all, amphetamines were the original diet pills. Most of today's appetite suppressants are also stimulants. They include the herb-derived combination of caffeine (from coffee) and ephedrine (from Chinese ephedra, or ma huang) …
Anti-Aging Prescriptions by James Duke PhD, page 307

… Instead of providing a "natural choice," there is, in some cases, a wholesale endorsement of caffeine and other CNS stimulants. ..Herbal weight-loss programs, often accompanied by very scientific-looking literature, keep their adherents hyped up on quasi-legal stimulants to produce appetite suppression. When the users decide to stop taking the pills, their appetites return with a vengeance, and the lost pounds are rapidly regained. In the meantime, their health may suffer tremendously.
Caffeine Blues By Stephen Cherniske MS, page 265

Sympathomimetic appetite suppressants stimulate the central nervous system and elevate blood pressure. Side effects of these drugs include dry mouth, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness and lightheadedness, headache, palpitations, and (rarely) increased blood pressure. Tolerance to the effects of medications in this class usually develops within a few weeks and rebound weight gain may occur after discontinued use of the medication.
Disease Prevention And Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 1151

"Fen Phen"

When taken on an empty stomach, this essential amino acid can increase the concentration of a messenger in the brain called noradrenaline. Phenylalanine works as an appetite suppressant in two ways.
Everything You Need To Know About Fat Loss by Club Creavalle Inc, page 139

Phenylalanine and tyrosine …Some doctors also recommend these amino acids for appetite control. Phenylalanine may trigger the release of an appetite-suppressing hormone in the gut called cholecystokinin. …
Mind Boosters by Dr Ray Sahelia MD, page 142

The combined use of fenfluramine and phentermine for weight loss is a classic illustration of an unexpected deadly drug interaction. These drugs rapidly became known as the famous "Fen-Phen" combination that gained great popularity as a weight-loss program in the mid-1990s… (The FDA approved the prescription appetite suppressant phentermine for single-drug, short-term—"a few weeks"— treatment for obesity in 1959. And in 1973 the FDA also approved fenfluramine as a single drug, with short-term use as a prescription appetite suppressant.);
Death By Prescription by Ray D Strand, page 103

As of this writing, "Fen Phen," the combination diet pill, has been recalled by its manufacturer because of reports of serious side effects among its users, such as potentially fatal heart valve problems.
Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible by Earl Mindell RPh PhD, page 192

"Ephedra"

Ephedra, also known as ma-huang, has become a popular ingredient in natural weight-reducing formulas. … It also has a mild appetite suppressant action, according to Dr. Birdsall.The effects of ephedrine can be enhanced by caffeine, theophylline (a white, crystalline alkaloid derived from tea), and aspirin…
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 835

"Natural compounds that may serve as appetite suppressants"

GUARANA (Paulliniacupana, sorbilis) South American berry orrootfromBrazil and Uruguay with 4-6% caffeine-like alkaloid Guaranine; anti-fatigue stimulant; for mental alertness, quickperception; stamina, natural energy, and endurance; 1 tsp. anti-headache; an appetite suppressant.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 100

GUAR GUM • Used in emulsions, toothpastes, lotions, and creams. …. Employed also as a bulk laxative, appetite suppressant, and to Ixeat peptic ulcers. A stabilizers in foods and beverages. No known toxicity.
Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter, page 229

Enrich's appetite control with Guar Gum Fiber, Senna, Buckthorn, Althea, Peppermint, UvaUrei,Rosehips,Stevia,Orangepeel,Chaparral,Honeysuckle,andChrysanthemum.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 10

Guarana has been shown to stimulate the migration of lipids so fat can be burned as energy. It is also an appetite suppressant.
Disease Prevention And Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 1145

Recently introduced to the West, garcinia has been used for centuries by Ayurvedic healers as a digestive aid and a natural appetite suppressant.
Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible by Earl Mindell RPh PhD, page 78

Hydrocitric acid (HCA), also called garcinia, is a natural appetite suppressant and thermogenic agent that slows down the production of fat from the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins. HCA enhances the ability of the liver and muscles to store glycogen, thereby reducing fat production and diminishing appetite. Animal studies have shown that HCA can suppress fat production by 40 to 80 percent for 8 to 12 hours after eating. Human studies have also confirmed that people eat less and store less body fat after taking HCA.
Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible by Earl Mindell RPh PhD, page 193

… so-called herbal Fen Phen, a combination of a thermogenic enhancer (such as the herb ephedra) and the antidepressant Saint John's wort. It makes sense that these herbs would be helpful for losing weight. We know that ephedra can speed up metabolism, which helps the body burn fat faster. In addition, Saint John's wort is reputed to be a natural appetite suppressant. As yet, there are no studies to confirm that these herbs will work well together.
Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible by Earl Mindell RPh PhD, page 192

Jerusalem Artichokes and Dahlia roots have a natural fructose polymer Inulin that prolongs Carbohydrate metabolism, for appetite control; eat 1 per day alternating between raw and cooked; or use the juice, not the peel.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 40

A more direct route to appetite suppression is applying to the tongue substances that inhibit its ability to taste foods. The theory is that people who can't taste their food will be less inclined to overindulge. Studies confirm this effect, to a degree. Even so, this approach remains a relatively unpopular one for the obvious reason that few people want to forgo for long the sensual pleasures of eating. The local anesthetic benzocaine is included in conventional OTC gums and lozenges that numb the tongue to inhibit taste. Topical application of a natural herb discussed below, gymnema, seems to block principally the taste buds responsible for the taste of sweetness.
Off The Shelf Natural Health How To Use Herbs And Nutrients To Stay Well By Mark Mayell, page 361

"Curbing your diet with supplements"

Take moderate predigested Free Form Amino acids (Proteins) to burn off Fat deposits, and feel satiated. L-Phenylalanine for hormone CCK release suppresses appetite; with L-Tyrosine causes production of Norepinephrine appetite suppressant that works neurologically to reduce hunger pangs; with hormone CCK creates a physiological feeling of fullness.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 10

Most people will lose weight by taking only two standardized avocado extract tablets a day, while those who want to significantly reduce calorie intake may take two tablets, two or three times a day. The amount of avocado extract consumed will be highly individualistic, mostly dictated by how long the appetite suppressing effects remain. Some people will take more avocado tablets when hunger returns or avoid them to enjoy a sensible meal.
Disease Prevention And Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 1137

… Furthermore, one physician friend of mine told me HCA has fairly decent appetite suppressing effects when used in high enough doses. He recommends up to 1500 mg before each meal. In his opinion, smaller amounts are ineffective One natural appetite suppressant I do recommend is 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5-HTP), which cuts cravings, particularly for carbohydrates, by balancing serotonin levels. …However, the problem with any appetite suppressant—natural or prescription—is that once you stop taking it, your appetite returns, often with a vengeance. ...
Reversing Diabetes by Julian Whitaker MD, page 202

If you're looking for appetite suppression, don't forget the less glamorous herbs that provide fiber. Psyllium can help you eat fewer calories and still feel full.
The Herbal Drugstore by Linda B White MD, page 448

Forget diet pills and appetite suppressants. Psyllium, a seed high in fiber, helps create the sensation of fullness while slowing the digestion of carbohydrates. One teaspoon of powdered psyllium seed (found in health food stores) mixed into eight ounces of water may be consumed once a day. But use this remedy with caution: Too much psyllium can interfere with your digestive system.
Uncommon Cures for Everyday

… Khat … is a small shrub whose leaves are commonly chewed fresh by the elderly for a variety of diseases associated with old age. …. In Europe, some companies use it for appetite suppression in weight-loss products.
The Way Of Herbs by Michael Tierra, page 114

… Whether it is called cha de bugre or porangaba, it will probably long be sold as a natural weight-loss aid in Rio and throughout Brazil. It is a great appetite suppressant—but rather than cutting off appetite all together (then causing intense hunger when it wears off at the wrong time) it gives one a sense of being full and satiated after eating only a few bites of food. This seems to promote much smaller meals, more often, which is what many practitioners believe is better for sustained weight loss and keeping the metabolism going throughout the
The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie Taylor, page 229

… Damiana also has been used in combination with other plants for its thermogenic activity.11 Two U.S. patents have been filed on oral appetite suppressants containing damiana, citing its inclusion as an anti-anxiety and thermogenic substance.
The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie Taylor, page 26

Does spirulina have anything else to offer? The vitamins and minerals it contains are easily obtained from other, more economical food sources. What about its effectiveness as an appetite suppressant? Any digestible carbohydrate-containing food will cause an increase in blood sugar and a corresponding reduction in hunger.
The Honest Herbal by Varro E Tyler PhD, page 301

"The most powerful appetite suppressant is a healthy diet."

Recall, protein has a "dragging" effect on insulin which favors lower insulin levels. This not only effects fat burning in a positive light, but lower insulin also translates into appetite control because spiking insulin is a potent appetite stimulant.
Everything You Need To Know About Fat Loss by Club Creavalle Inc, page 137

protein-rich foods as cottage cheese, soy products, almonds, dry skim milk, and many more, can aid in appetite control (while nourishing the brain) if taken one hour before meals with juice or water.
Vitamin Bible for the 21st Century by Earl Mindell, page 137 comments by the editors of Bottom Line Health, page 46

…. In fact, carbohydrates are natural appetite suppressants, because gram for gram, those carbohydrate foods with a low glycemic index are the most filling and prevent hunger pangs for longer periods of time.
Glucose Revolution by Thomas Wolever MD PhD, page 1

You're less likely to overeat low G.I. carbohydrates, because they're bulky and filling. Consider them natural appetite suppressants!
Glucose Revolution by Thomas Wolever MD PhD, page 85

For appetite control, raw celery can be eaten between and during meals …
Healing With Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford, page 500

Remember, too, that fiber, for the most part, does not contribute calories. Also, that it helps you feel full and encourages appetite control because it absorbs fluid, expanding and creating the satisfied feeling the dieter craves.
Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 141

Because of its concentration, whole-leaf stevia concentrate appears to be the most effective form of stevia for appetite suppression. People have reported that taking stevia drops fifteen to twenty minutes before a meal decreases their hunger sensations, helping them to eat less.
Miracle Of Stevia by James A May, page 67

"Brain chemicals and appetite control"

Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, … It can act as an appetite control; it decreases the desire for carbohydrates. Vitamin C, B6, and B3 are necessary to convert tryptophan to serotonin.
Feed Your Body Right by Lendon H Smith MD, page 217

… Another neurotrans-mitter called enterostatin also interacts with galanin as a shutoff switch for fat cravings. Inject this neurotransmitter into the brains of animals, and they lose their desire for fatty foods. Researchers suspect the balance between enterostatin, the endorphins, galanin, and possibly serotonin is critical for appetite control. ...
Food & Mood by Elizabeth Somer MA RD, page 74

"Exercise is also an appetite suppressant"

"Running increases your metabolism," says Dr. Hamner. "The longer you rev your engine, the more running acts like a mild appetite suppressant. For some people, running can change their food cravings. They find themselves craving carbohydrates like pasta instead of red meat."
Healing with motion by the editors of-Prevention health books, page 340