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Thursday, January 1, 2015

Saffron For Weight Loss - Understanding What It's All About

By Doria Roos


Saffron to most people is a culinary ingredient used as a spice and coloring agent, but in the field of medicine, this product from the plant Crocus sativus can deliver a wide range of health benefits. Despite this, it's most popular application today is in helping people lose weight. After the famed Dr. Oz mentioned it in his show, saffron for weight loss has been gathering a lot of buzz. So what is it all about?

Saffron for weight loss is said to be very effective primarily because it is able to curb one's appetite and tone down cravings. One of the causes of weight gain is compulsive eating, usually as a reaction to emotional factors such as boredom, anxiety, and anger. People don't really think about the quantity and quality of what they eat when under emotional stress and this ultimately leads to weight gain.

With the help of a clinical study, experts were able to determine the secret to saffron's effectiveness in promoting weight loss. This was because this extract causes the brain to produce more serotonin - a hormone that is responsible for controlling physiological and psychological functions such as mood and behavior. More serotonin translates to better control over appetite and cravings.

Dr. Oz himself took initiative in confirming the efficacy of saffron for weight loss and thus he conducted an experiment involving two women with emotional eating habits. Over the weekend, they were given saffron supplements without restricting their calorie intake. As a result, both women experienced less desire to snack even under emotional stress. Both also lost weight of a total of 8 pounds.

In another study that was published last 2010 in Nutrition Research, 60 mildly overweight women were divided into two groups, with the first group being given a saffron supplement while the other group was given a placebo. The group that took saffron for weight loss was able to reduce their snacking by a significant percentage while the other group had minimal results.

Majority of the clinical studies conducted on saffron for weight loss made use of a proprietary blend referred to as Satiereal. Dr. Oz mentioned Satiereal as a key ingredient in saffron supplements, as it is the one you will see in many well-known brands. Supplements containing this proprietary blend are also known to help minimize a person's craving for weight-increasing sugary foods.

In addition to having applications as a weight-loss supplement, saffron extracts may also help provide relief for other health problems such as asthma, coughing, heartburn, insomnia, intestinal gas, and dry skin. Women who have problems with menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome may also benefit from this supplement. Experts also believe that it can act as an aphrodisiac as well.

Even with all the weight loss benefits you can get using saffron for weight loss, you must still keep in mind that it is not meant to be an instant solution for your weight issues. Even Dr. Oz says that supplements are only there to enhance your weight-loss program and they must not replace a healthy diet and regular exercise. Patience and hard work are your allies in helping your achieve your goals.




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