Green tea is one herb that increases metabolism.
One way to safely and efficiently lose excess weight is to boost metabolism. In addition to a balanced diet and regular exercise, there are herbal medications that may help to speed up metabolism.
Kelp
Poor thyroid function may lead to a sluggish metabolism and weight gain. However, according to Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., the iodine in kelp and other seaweeds stimulate the thyroid gland to speed up metabolism.
Green Tea
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that polyphenols, L-theanine and caffeine present in green tea extract increase metabolic rate and the oxidation of fats.
Guarana
The theophylline and theobromine content in guarana, an herb from South America, may enhance metabolism, according to researchers at the Medical Center Charlottenlund in Denmark. After monitoring 44 healthy, overweight study subjects over a 12-month period, they found that the group given an herbal preparation containing guarana lost an average of 11.2 pounds compared to less than one pound in the placebo group.
Magnolia Bark
A 2006 study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Nutrition investigating the effects of magnolia bark and the bark of Amur cork tree (Phellodendron amurense) on weight loss in premenopausal adult women showed that these herbs speed metabolism by reducing the release of the adrenal hormone cortisol.
Considerations
Some herbs that speed up metabolism contain high levels of caffeine and may not be suitable for some individuals.
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