Losing weight is the herb and spice of life

Tag : Herbs & Natural Remedies

Losing those love handles after overindulging at all the Rayarumah terbuka, is never easy, but a health expert tells AUDREYVIJAINDREN that the secret to shedding those extra kilos can befound in the kitchen THE multiple servings of rendang, the generous helpings of ketupatand the side dishes of serunding may not only have added to theHari Raya festivity, but also to your waistline.

However, you don't have to blow all your duit raya on an expensiveweight-loss programme.

Affordable and natural rem-edies can be found in herb and spicebottles in the kitchen.

For centuries, herbs and spices have been used to add flavour tomeals.

Lately, they have taken on a bigger role. They're helpingweight-conscious Malaysians fight the bulge the natural way.

Nutrition physiologist Rebecca Tay Sook Hui says herbs and spicesare no longer secondary ingredients as they can promote weightloss.

Psyllium, Tay says, is one of the most popular herbs used in weightcontrol. Over the past year, it's been a key ingredient in manyshakes and weight-loss products.

"Psyllium is the husk of the seed of the plantain and is a top herbused in weight control and for intestinal health.
"It contains a spongy fibre that reduces appetite, improvesdigestion and cleanses the system, making it an excellent choicefor healthy dieting."

Other herbs, she says, like cayenne, ginger and mustard seed arejust as helpful in a weight-management regime.

"These herbs are thermogenics, meaning they boost one's metabolicrate and are great for the digestive system.

"Cayenne has been shown to raise metabolic rates by as much as 25per cent.

"It has also been used for centuries as a pain killer, treatulcers, improve circulation, boost the immune system and aiddigestion."

Diuretic activity also plays a role in the fight against the kilos.

Herbs like alfalfa, juniper, parsley, uva ursi, yarrow, dandelionand lemon are known for their diuretic properties.

"Dandelion leaves have confirmed diuretic activity and laxative. Ithas a gentle stimulating effect on the metabolic system.

"It removes fatty acids from the bloodstream (which lowerscholesterol), helping the body lose weight.

"Drinking lemon water or adding it to tea before meals also helpsdigestion and utilisation of fats."

Cinnamon, a favourite with doughnut and pastry lovers, is anothermiracle spice.

"Cinnamon is one of the oldest remedies used in traditional Chineseremedies for digestive support.

"Recent studies have shown that cinnamon may support healthy bloodsugar levels.

"Steeping your favourite herbal drink or tea with cinnamon addsflavour to it and improves your natural weight-loss efforts."

Tay says when it is sprinkled on toast, biscuit, coffee, meat, soupor salad, one can enjoy similar benefits.

"Cinnamon is also particularly good with lamb in curries and Greekdishes. Use it in beef stews and chili.

"Try it with grains such as rice pilaf, couscous and pearl barleyas well as legumes like lentils and split peas."

Another small wonder in your kitchen is garlic.

"Garlic contains many sulphur compounds which detoxify the body,boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and improvecirculation, indirectly improving weight management.

"But garlic can irritate the digestive tracts of young children orwhen over-eaten. It may also interact with Warfarin, ablood-thinning drug. So it has to be taken carefully."

She says skipping meals to lose weight is a bad idea. Taking mealreplacements with soy is a more effective way to shed kilogs.

"Many researches show that when soy consumption goes up, weightgoes down.

"Soy has an effect on these mechanisms and hormones that areinduced in the body to help us degrade lipids and reduce bodyweight. It boosts metabolism and preserves muscle."

Although herbs and spices have been around for centuries, Tay says,people prefer quick over-the-counter fixes.

"If one can include 'weight-management herbs' on a daily basis, thesuccess rate could be high.

"However, the solution provided by over-the-counter re-medies ispreferred by some because they are more handy.

"People like fast solutions that are in a tablet or concentratedform."

But weight loss has to be in moderation.

"One should plan on no more than a reduction of two pounds weeklyto maintain a healthy body and achieve a more permanent effect.

"One should understand that by skipping meals, especiallybreakfast, or adopting a low-calorie diet your met-abolism slowsdown, making it more difficult to lose weight and keep it off."

But before stocking up on herbs, it's important to know thatthere's no short cut to weight loss.

"With any weight-loss programme, a person's eating habit needs tochange. Herbs can help a great deal by reducing cravings andleaving one feeling fuller and more satisfied.

"But the best overall approach to weight management is a holisticone. A well-balanced mind, body and spirit offer one the greatestmental control, joy and fulfilment."