Slim by Nature - melting fat in time for summer

It’s that time of year again! As temperatures rise and we peel off
winter layers, thoughts of bikini and board short clad days prompt us
to start thinking of melting excess body fat, detoxifying and getting
fit for fun summer activities. A thoughtful approach and selection from
ancient and cutting edge formulas could ensure that you keep your lean
lines year round.

Love your liver
By putting your liver on a “weight loss” program, losing unwanted flab
will be - dare I say it? - a piece of cake! When the liver is clogged
with toxins and the wrong types of fat, it is unable to accomplish its
mission of processing fats, allowing them to be burnt off, while
keeping blood sugar levels stable.

Herbs that focus on upgrading the health of the organs of digestion,
especially the liver will go a long way in correcting this common
imbalance.

Free Restraint is a remarkable Chinese medicine formula emphasising
moving Liver Qi (energy) and burning fats fast by detoxifying and
speeding liver metabolism. It is part of the revolutionary Clear and
Cleanse energetic and physical detox programme, which also includes
Mountain Breeze purification tea. This formula, with its proven effect
on the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins in the liver,
increases assimilation of nutrients, stabilises weight and restores
feelings of vitality and lightness. For those with long standing Liver
Qi stagnation or who want faster results, Victory, another liver
formula, also regulating the stomach, can be added.

Your fat fighting arsenal
L-Carnitine and Acetyl L-carnitine
These amino acid derivatives, synthesised from L-lysine and
L-methionine, are found in muscle cells where they carry long chain
fatty acids into cellular mitochondria to be burned as fuel. Increased
muscle saturation with L-carninite means more fatty acids can be
transported and burned for energy optimising fat loss. Acetyl
L-carnitine is the turbo charged version that has the added benefits of
being a metabolic antioxidant.

Chromium
This essential trace element, in short supply in our foods, promotes
fat loss and lean muscle gains by increasing the efficiency of the
hormone insulin and regulating carbohydrate metabolism.

Bridleberry (Garcinia quaesite), a member of the citrus family,
inhibits the enzyme, Citrate lyase that converts carbohydrates eaten
into body fat, reducing fat production by 40-70% while naturally
suppressing carbohydrate cravings.

Give yourself an oil change
There is an oil that can actually assist in fat loss! Research and
clinical experience has shown that when 12.5-15% of daily calories
consist of Omega 3 oils, equivalent to about 3 tablespoons (45ml) or
more of fresh, unrefined flax seed oil, fat loss is optimised through
stimulating fats to be burned at unprecedented rates on a cellular
level. Pleasant side effects include excess fluid being dumped, fluid
metabolism stabilising and energy levels increasing. Adding Gamma
Linolenic Acid (GLA) found in Evening Primrose and Borage oils, can
enhance this process. Drizzle some on your veggies today!

It is easy being green
Spirulina
This sea algae has a legion of fans when it comes to shaping up. It
provides a detoxifying action on the body, also supplies GLA and is
nature’s richest source of almost every nutrient discovered as well as
those yet to be discovered! This broad spectrum nutrition defeats
cravings before they begin and if taken prior to meals, the naturally
present phenylaline reduces appetite painlessly. Its detoxifying action
is a powerful weapon in those seeking to reduce cellulite.

Barley Grass and Wheat Grass powders
Their powerful enzymes detoxify the liver, remove metabolic stagnation,
put a spring in your step, clears skin problems and brightens the eyes.
Nature’s answer to cellulite.

Clay - it can move mountains
Eat dirt..? Although this approach is almost unheard of in Australia,
allow me to let you in on a European secret for weight loss, digestive
cleansing and liver purification that has the welcome side effect of
banishing cellulite at the deepest level. In many European countries,
where the pure Argiletz clay is seen as a detoxifying dream, consuming
a teaspoonful in a glass of water (urgh!) on an empty stomach is seen
as a the fastest and most healthful way of obtaining a flat tummy.

Worth your weight in salt
Refined salt, with its fluid retention and high blood pressure
promoting properties is rightly avoided. However unrefined Celtic sea
salt can actually help reverse these conditions with its full spectrum
of minerals. Used moderately in cooking, it can also help overcome
carbohydrate metabolism imbalances, regulate thyroid gland function,
reduce susceptibility to cellulite as well as spider and varicose veins
and normalise body fat levels.

Nothing to be sniffed at
Research indicates that sniffing essential oils such as peppermint can
dampen appetite, while massaging blends of juniper, cypress and lemon
can help mobilise fat, breakdown cellulite and speed detoxification.

Flower essences
Stressful lifestyles can trigger emotional eating. Try Bach flowers
Aspen for worry, and anxiety and Crab Apple for body image issues.
Useful Australian Bush Essence blends include Calm and Clear,
Purification for physical and emotional detoxification or Women Essence
to balance hormone related discomfort and cravings.

copyright 2006 Ilanit Tof. All rights reserved.