7 New Weight Loss Supplements With Top Scientific Ratings

With all the new weight loss medications entering the market – and engendering controversy – many people are also looking to supplements to aid weight loss. But a visit to those shelves at your local Whole Foods or other health food store, and you’re guaranteed to feel overwhelmed.  Which really work and which don’t? And are they safe?
For information, I looked at the recommendations of prominent naturopathic doctors and the organization Natural Standard, a reputable database of the latest research on supplements.  You’ve likely never heard of many of the supplements listed here, but they’ve all a Natural Standard Grade A or B for having positive scientific evidence supporting their use for weight loss.
(And if you’d like to hear about three more new weight loss supplements with scientific cred, check out this follow-up.)
1. Hydroxycitrate, Hydroxycitric Acid or HCA
HCA is actually a salt derived from the rind of dried fruit, in particular the Southeast Asian plants brindal berry and Garcinia cambodia. A traditional Indian folk remedy, HCA has been used to treat joint and stomach problems. It’s sold in drug stores and supplement stores as HCA, brindleberry or brindal berry and garcinia, and is the primary ingredient in diet products with names like Citrilite, Citrin, PhyrtriMax, Bio-Max 3000, and Garcinia Trim-Pulse. Research backs the effectiveness of HCA at reducing fat absorption, increasing fat metabolism,  inhibiting appetite, and lowering LDL cholesterol.
2. Chitosan
Read about the origins of chitosan and it sounds pretty gross. Chitosan is a fiber that comes from chitin,  which is the main component in the shells (or exoskeletons, for you scientific types) of insects and crustaceans. Recommended by wholistic practitioners to lower cholesterol , chitosan has also been promoted as a type of dietary fiber that may help reduce the absorption of fat.
3. Whey protein
Healthand sports supplement stores have been touting the benefits of whey protein for years, but mainly for building muscle, which it appears to do. However, whey protein also suppresses appetite, thus helping you eat less. Whey protein, which as you can guess is derived from the whey of milk, is an easily digestible form of protein. It contains high levels of the amino acid cysteine.  And having more muscle helps with weight loss too.
4. Beta Glucan
A concentrated soluble fiber derived from yeasts, mushrooms, and algae, beta-glucans come in many forms but all have the effect of lowering cholesterol with the additional benefits of weight loss and helping control diabetes.
5. Conjugated Linoleic Acid or  CLA
Omega 3 fatty acids and healthy fats are beneficial for all sorts of things, from brain health to heart health. But one of them, CLA, seems to aid in weight loss as well (in addition to having anticancer benefits). CLA is found primarily in beef and dairy products, so if you’re vegetarian or vegan, you likely aren’t getting enough. CLA-enriched dairy products are in the works, but right now you have to take a supplement, most of which are derived from safflower oil.  CLA is one of the more popular health food supplements for reduction of body fat, though the evidence is mixed. Animal studies have sown it to be effective, but human studies have been mixed.
6. Glucomannan

Derived from an Asian plant called Konjac, glucomannan is a fiber considered extremely effective for diabetes and blood sugar control, with the additional properties of weight loss.  Glucomannan has traditionally been an important food source—whether fried, baked, or as a candy. The fiber helps absorb water in the digestive tract, reducing cholesterol and carbohydrate absorption, and research supports its role as an obesity treatment. Glucomannan is also traditionally used as a gel to be applied to the skin.
7. Mango Seed Fiber

Fiber from the seeds of the African mango tree is a traditional African weight loss remedy that’s finding new popularity either alone or combined with other dietary supplements. It’s most commonly used in Africa as a natural antibiotic  and pain reliever. It’s currently being studied for weight loss, diabetes and cholesterol reduction.
If there’s a weight loss supplement that’s worked for you, please share. No marketing though, please.

Source : http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2012/10/01/7-new-weight-loss-supplements-that-really-work/

Meal Plans for a High-protein Diet

Among different weight loss diets, the high-protein and low-fat diet is a very popular diet plan. People opt for a high-protein diet for weight loss as well as for muscle building. An interesting fact about proteins is that they can help you lose extra pounds, and at the same time and also gain muscle mass. Proteins are a fundamental component of all living cells. Proteins are considered the building blocks of the body. They are needed for the production, maintenance and repair of skin, hair, bones, and other organs of our body. Proteins also play a significant role in the production of enzymes and hormones. For these reasons, proteins form an integral part of a healthy and balanced diet. A balanced intake of proteins in our diet can effectively help to lose weight.

High-protein Meal Plans

** Each meal plan must include 2 liters of liquids; and one is suggested to have the following in various combinations:
Water
Tea (chamomile, peppermint, dandelion leaf)
Juice (apple, kale, celery, carrot)
Fresh lime juice (with honey)
Plan #1
Breakfast
2 eggs (scrambled or boiled with low-fat margarine)
2 pieces of sliced toast
1 sausage link
½ sliced grapefruit or orange, or 3 slices of tomatoes
½ cup low-fat milkLunch
2 slices of whole wheat bread
3 oz. chicken salad (3 oz. chicken with ½ tsp light mayonnaise and 4 grape halves)
1 cup sliced vegetables
8 oz. water, unsweetened tea or coffee
Evening Snacks
½ cup cottage cheese with peaches or pineapples
2 tsp peanut butter with celery
1 oz. peanuts or mixed nutsDinner
1 cup of green beans, carrots or broccoli
4 oz. lean chicken, beef, pork or fish (cooked or pan fried)

Plan #2
Breakfast
2 slices of bread
50 g ricotta
1 glass of low-fat milk with honey and cinnamonLunch
100 grams grilled chicken
Salad greens with tahini
Evening Snacks
1 apple
GrapesDinner
1 whole meal pita with 150 grams chopped, grilled chicken and spinach
Cucumber and yogurt salad

Plan #3
Breakfast
2 hard-boiled eggs
2 slices of whole wheat bread with cheese spread
1 glass of low-fat milkLunch
Brown rice
Grilled chicken with scallion-ginger sauce
Steamed broccoli
A glass of water or fresh juice without any added sugar
Evening Snacks
Sprout salad or salmon sandwich made with whole grain breadDinner
Steamed chicken with hummus (made from chickpeas, hummus is an excellent high-protein dip)
2 whole grain flour tortillas
A glass of juice (apple or kale)

Plan #4
Breakfast
1 cup yogurt with 10 grams flax seeds
1 cup muesli with 1/2 cup berries
1 passion fruitLunch
1 cup brown rice
Lentil soup (boiled lentils mixed with 1 clove garlic, 1 medium chopped onion, 1 chopped carrot, 1 small, diced tomato, shredded spinach and 500 ml water)
Evening Snacks
1 banana
7-8 cashewsDinner
1 cup steamed squash, eggplant, and mushrooms
½ cup cooked brown rice

Plan #5
Breakfast
Steak and egg, either boiled or scrambled
One cup of tea or coffee without milkLunch
Pita pocket loaded with tuna salad
Almonds (small serving size)
Evening Snacks
Peanut butter smoothieDinner
A mixture of cauliflower and broccoli with broiled salmon

Healthy Meal Plans for a High-protein Diet

Proteins can be obtained through various dietary sources. The daily protein requirement for kids is approximately 0.5 grams per pound of their body weight. Adults need about 60 grams of proteins everyday. Major sources of proteins are meat, fish, and seafood, dairy products, eggs, seeds and nuts, soy products, legumes, beans, and cereals such as wheat, rice and oats, etc. Most animal foods like poultry, eggs, fish, meat, and milk are rich in complete proteins and contain all essential amino acids. Most plant foods such as vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains, and legumes contain incomplete proteins, which have small quantities of one or more essential amino acids. Seafood is one of the best sources of proteins with low amounts of fats.

A high-protein diet is helpful in healthy weight loss as it keeps your hunger satisfied and makes you feel full for a longer time. When you have more proteins and fewer carbohydrates in your diet, you feel less hungry throughout the day, leading to a lower calorie intake. Such a diet stabilizes blood sugar levels. Some of these diet plans focus on bodybuilding. Such diet plans include protein bars, protein powders, and protein drinks. Some of the popular weight loss diets that include abundant amounts of proteins are the Atkins Diet, Zone Diet, and Sugar Busters.

Meal plans for a high-protein diet are one of the most effective ways to lose weight fast and improve your overall health. High-protein foods that can be, and should be, included in your daily diet without changing your meal plans are cheese, eggs, soybean, and products sourced from soy (such as tofu, soy milk, etc.), milk, lean meat, legumes, etc. Even while snacking, you can switch to healthier, high-protein options such as a tuna sandwich made with whole wheat bread or a sprout salad.

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/meal-plans-for-a-high-protein-diet.html