Date:   6/16/2003 2:57:50 PM ( 21 y ago)
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Nutrition, Exercise, & Wellness

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University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Department of Nutritional Sciences
Vol. 12, No. 3 July/August/September, 1998


In This Issue:


Herbal Teas for Weight Loss: Not a Quick Fix
"They're a gimmick . . . and an inappropriate way to lose weight, says Mark S. Meskin, Ph.D., R.D., of California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, who has concerns about some common ingredients:

Ma Huang (Ephedra). Alvita Trim-Time Thermogenic Tea, describes itself as a "synergistic and highly potent thermogenic formula." What ma huang can do is raise blood pressure and cause heart palpitations. The Food and Drug Administration is investigating several deaths linked to ephedra products.
Senna and Cascara. Some diet teas, such as Uncle Lee's Body Slim Dieter Tea, contain the herbs senna or cascara. Both are potent laxatives, which probably explains any weight loss. They should not be taken regularly, as they can destroy bowel tone, making you forever dependent on laxatives.
Chromium Picolinate. Colorado-based Celestial Seasonings has jumped on the weight-loss bandwagon with Diet Partner Herb Tea, which according to the package, contains 30 micrograms of chromium picolinate. While it's true chromium plays a role in glucose metabolism, there's no good evidence to suggest it aids weight loss by burning calories or fat.
Drinking a single cup of these teas is probably safe; but follow package directions for brewing and don't overdose. "We just don't know the effects of habitual use of some of the ingredients in these products," says Meskin.

[Source: Environmental Nutrition, July 1998]

Deconstructing Detox
You've seen detoxifying tinctures, teas, and tablets lining health food store and pharmacy aisles, but how effective are they? Most detoxification products are a combination of herbal laxatives and diuretics that claim to cleanse the liver, when they really just help empty your bowls and bladder.

[Source: American Health. July/August 1998]


 

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