Tuesday, September 2, 2014

How To Rise Above Your Food Cravings

By Grover Farkus


Saffron comes from the plant Crocus sativus and it is commonly used as a spice and other culinary applications. And while its extract offers a wide range of medicinal benefits, saffron for weight loss usually gets the most attention from people. Thanks to Dr. Oz, this supplement is now gaining worldwide interest despite the limited scientific studies that support its health benefits.

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.

In a clinical study, it was revealed that saffron could promote weight loss because of how it alters the brain's production of serotonin to aid in the suppression of appetite and cravings. It is said that serotonin can significantly affect a person's psychological and physiological functions such as behavior and mood. Experts believe that increased serotonin helps influence the weight loss process.

Dr. Oz wanted to verify the efficacy of saffron for weight loss so he invited two women having problems with emotional eating to participate in an experiment. Over the weekend the women took saffron supplements without calorie restriction. They both reported a significant decrease in their snacking, even when they were angry or upset. The first volunteer lost 3 pounds, while the other lost 5 pounds.

There was also another study that was published in Nutrition Research in 2010 and it involved 60 women who were mildly overweight. They were divided into two groups - the first group took saffron for weight loss while the second group took a placebo. The result was that those who took the saffron extract reduced their snacking more than those who took the placebo.

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.

Besides being used as a weight-loss supplement, taking saffron extract may also be able to alleviate a myriad of health issues including asthma, coughing, intestinal gas, heartburn, dry skin, and insomnia. It may also help women to get relief from menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome. There are also experts who claim that it can act as an aphrodisiac.

Despite the claims of using saffron for weight loss, it is important to remember that it must not be treated as a "quick fix" for your weight problems. Just as Dr. Oz always says, you simply cannot replace a healthy diet and proper exercise. Supplements are just that - supplements, and they are best combined with diet and exercise to get the best results possible.




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