May 13, 2015

Weight Loss Products Part 5: White Kidney Bean Carb Intercept

By Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN, LDN White Kidney Bean Carb Intercept® by Natrol® is a product that claims to work by controlling fat storage related to the ingestion of too many carbohydrates. It works by interfering with specific digestive enzymes and may be appropriate for a client looking for a supplement that is not a stimulant like so many products in the weight loss category. By combining 1000mg white kidney bean extract and 40mcg Foodbound® Chromium, this product claims to neutralize carbohydrates in a non-stimulating way, supporting weight loss. Chromium has been studied for general blood sugar control and in […]
May 6, 2015

Do Natural Weight Loss Product Work? Part 4: Super Citrimax®

By Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN, LDN The Super Citrimax® product by NOW supplement brand aims to improve blood sugars while also promoting a healthy body weight. A low dose of calcium (100mg), iodine from kelp (300mcg) and naturally occurring sodium (15mg) accompany the ingredients that will likely be more active in accomplishing said benefits: ChromeMate® provides 200mcg chromium and the Super CitriMax is a Garcinia cambogia extract containing active ingredient Hydroxycitric Acid or HCA at 1.5grams. Garcinia cambogia is often used as a tool for weight loss. This product also contains 200mg of Panax Ginseng Root Extract which is commonly […]
April 29, 2015

Are Natural Weight Loss Products Safe? Part 3: Bitter Orange

By Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN, LDN The active component in Nature’s Way Bitter Orange product has been studied with interest for its role in weight loss, and despite much caution with regards to side effects, has proven relatively safe in some animal and human research. ­­­­The product has shown some efficacy for modest weight loss and has made its way onto the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list when consumed as a food (peel, flower or leaf). However, when taking the extract which acts like a stimulant to the sympathetic nervous system, or the body’s fight-or-flight system, there are some […]