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Friday, April 18, 2014

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

By Craig Desorcy


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 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.

In a study published in Nutrition Research during 2010, a group of 60 mildly overweight women were categorized into two groups. The first group was given saffron supplement while the second group was given a placebo. The group that took saffron for weight loss was able to reduce their snacking better as compared to those that 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.

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.

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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