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Weight Loss

Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss

For an organic way to lose weight Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is very common among people. ACV becomes popular when some research shows that it can help you to lose weight (1).

The Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry journal published a study finding that drinking it for just three months caused significant declines in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference, and triglycerides.

Being obese or overweight is a common health issue that many people are complaining about.  This is the reason why they’re looking for effective ways to lose weight. Also, there are various ways and trends coming up that claim to help an individual succeed in his or her weight loss quest.

Do you know celebrities like Fergie, Miranda Kerr and Megan Fox take apple cider vinegar for weight loss?

How Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss?

Apple cider vinegar is known to be a health tonic drink that has been used many years ago. It does not only provide many health benefits but also for weight loss as supported by various researchers (2).

The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar obviously is apple. But, since it undergoes a process called fermentation, other ingredients such as yeast, sugar, alcohol and acetic acid are added.

Traditionally, making ACV typically lasts for a month, however today, some manufacturers make the process fast for only a day.

Acetic acid is an organic compound that has a strong and sour taste. The good thing is that this health tonic has low calorie and no carbs content.

  1. ACV suppresses appetite

The acetic acid content of ACV is beneficial for fat loss that is essential to weight loss (3). Although there’s no clear explanation of how it aids to lose weight, the common explanation was linked to the ability of the acids and other enzymes to improve metabolism and suppress appetite. Likewise, it reduces water retention and makes you feel more refreshed.

As apple cider vinegar makes you feel full, it follows that the possibility of taking in calorie is reduced as supported by studies. The ability of the acetic acid to suppress appetite also reduces your hunger particularly if you use ACV with a starchy meal.

  1. ACV lowers blood sugar levels

A recent study revealed that the acetic acid content in ACV reduces the blood sugar level and eventually decreases the rate of insulin production.  Scientifically speaking, lower insulin levels can stimulate weight loss (4, 5).

This won’t only make you feel full longer but also lowers the blood sugar levels. However, this condition may pose complications to people with type 1 diabetes. It can cause problems in predicting how long the blood sugar will rise after a meal. This may aggravate gastroparesis.

  1. ACV controls fat absorption

Adding apple cider vinegar into your diet can improve your metabolism, thus makes your body burn fat faster. Likewise, it also controls fat accumulation and reduces cholesterol levels.

  1. ACV detoxifies the body

Aside from the acetic acid content, the apple cider vinegar also has insoluble fiber that detoxifies the body from toxins. With this, it makes your body able to utilize the nutrients from the food you eat. Once your body is detoxified, you can expect an improved bowel movement.

What Type of ACV Should You Use for Weight Loss?

Definitely, there are two brands of ACV available in the market including Heinz and Bragg. Regardless of which one would you prefer, the important thing to keep in mind is that the best ACV should have pale to medium amber color and made from apple juice or cider.

Read: Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar Review

Using organic or unpasteurized apple cider vinegar is more preferable. It’s because the organic ACV contains a substance packed with bacteria and living nutrients that are beneficial to health.

Likewise, organic ACV is unheated and unfiltered. You will see at the bottom of the bottle some sediment that looks like a strand. Thus, you should shake it well before using it.

Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: About 8 oz.
Calories 26
Calories from Fat 0
% Daily Value *
Fat 0 g
Carbohydrates 7 g 2%
Sugar 7 g
Fiber 0 g
Protein 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 10 mg
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) For Weight Loss

There are different ways on how to integrate apple cider vinegar in your diet for weight loss. The easiest way is to use it as a salad dressing along with olive oil. This would make leafy greens, tomatoes and cucumbers tastier.

Another way to use apple cider vinegar is by mixing it with your drinking water. ACV is also available in tablet form, but you must be extra careful with this as it can cause throat burns when the tablet is lodged in your esophagus.

When and How Often Do You Need to Drink ACV for Weight Loss?

The recommended amount of apple cider vinegar that you can be mixed with water is 1-2 tablespoons daily. You can divide it into three doses all throughout the day. The best time to drink it is before meals. You can start using apple cider vinegar with 1 teaspoon and observe how your body will tolerate it.

On the other hand, before using ACV you should consult first your doctor specifically if you’re taking medications, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

You can also drink ACV with juice, coffee or tea. But, keep in mind that these beverages are all acidic. Thus mixing with ACV can cause a dental problem. It is not encouraged to mix ACV with energy drinks or soft drinks because they have high sugar content and other chemicals that can inhibit lose weight.

Does ACV Consumption Have Side Effects?

In spite of the fact that ACV provides several health benefits specifically in losing weight, there are also reports that it also poses side effects.

Taking more than the recommended amount can be harmful to your health and cause some dangers.

  1. Hindered stomach emptying

The effect of apple cider vinegar to delay stomach emptying may negatively impact the condition of people with type 1 diabetes. It may aggravate the symptoms of gastroparesis as it makes the nerves in your stomach function improperly. Thus, the food will stay too long in your stomach (6,7).

  1. Unpleasant digestive symptoms

Human studies showed that taking apple cider vinegar can promote satiety and decrease appetite that may lead to a reduction of calorie intake (8, 9, 10).

However, there are reports that consuming too much ACV can cause unpleasant digestive symptoms like nausea.

  1. Reduces potassium levels

Taking large doses of ACV for an extended period is linked to low blood potassium that may cause bone loss. It can make the bones brittle and may also cause abnormal blood chemistry. (11)

Likewise, a high acid level may also hinder the formation of new bone.

  1. Damage to tooth enamel

Foods and beverages that have high acid content can damage the tooth enamel. Likewise, the high pH levels of vinegar cause loss of minerals from your teeth and dental erosion as well. (12).

  1. Throat burns

Using undiluted apple cider vinegar can cause throat burns. Researchers recommended vinegar be considered a “potent caustic substance” and kept in childproof containers (13).

  1. Skin burns

Applying ACV into your skin can cause skin burns because of its strong acidic nature. In Journal published 6-year-old boy with multiple health problems developed leg burns after his mother treated his leg infection with apple cider vinegar (14).

  1. Drug interactions

Some medications show negative interaction while taking apple cider vinegar. That’s why people taking medications for diabetes, digoxin and diuretics should seek doctor’s advice before using ACV.

Remember:

  • If you take strong medications.
  • If you are pregnant.
  • If you are breastfeeding.

Consult Your Doctor Before Using ACV.

How To Speed Up Your Weight Loss

Taking ACV alone can’t guarantee effective and permanent results for your weight loss efforts. To speed up the results, you must avoid consuming processed foods, fast foods and unhealthy fats.

You should also get moving and do some exercise to increase your metabolic rate. Consume foods that are rich in potassium like avocados, sweet potatoes and bananas. It lowers blood pressure and reduces stress levels. Refined sugars should also be avoided.

How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar at Home

If you want to try the health effects of apple cider vinegar, you can make your own at home by following this:

Ingredients:

  • 5 large apples
  • Filtered water
  • 1 cup organic cane sugar or raw honey

Things needed:

  • Floursack cloth or cheesecloth
  • Large rubber band
  • 1 wide-mouth gallon or glass jar

Instructions:

  • Before making a raw ACV, you should first make a hard apple cider. To form acetic acid, the alcohol present in the hard cider will undergo the process of fermentation.
  • Wash the apples thoroughly before chopping them into pieces. You can include the seeds, stems and cores.
  • Put the chopped apples into the gallon and make sure that it filled half of the container.
  • Add the filtered water allowing the chopped apples to fully submerged. Leave at least 2 inches’ free space at the top of the container.
  • Add the cane sugar or raw honey until they are fully dissolved.
  • Cover the glass jar or the container with cheesecloth and secure it with a rubber band.
  • Leave it for 2 weeks, but you can mix it at least twice a day.
  • When the chopped apples no longer float, it’s the time you can open the hard apple cider.
  • Strain out the chopped apples and transfer the hard apple cider into a clean gallon glass, cover with clean cheesecloth and locked the gallon with a rubber band.
  • Leave the hard apple cider for 3-4 weeks until the alcohol is transformed into acetic acid.

You can use the homemade apple cider vinegar for cooking and vinegar bath as well. Make sure to use just the recommended amount of ACV to ensure your safety.

Apple Cider Vinegar Recipes For Weight Loss

Making ACV drink for weight loss is so simple. Just mix 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) ACV with water. And 2 tp 3 times throughout the day.  Try to drink it before meals.

Cleanse Your Liver to Lose Weight

If all the body organs are functioning well, you are in the best state of health. But, how can you ensure that your organs will function properly and save them from possible damages?

The liver is one of the body organs that play a significant role to make a person healthy. But, there are factors that can damage the liver. The best way to keep your liver healthy is to cleanse it and get rid the toxins accumulated within.

Liver cleansing is a technique to get rid of toxic materials and many people have been practicing such a technique to lose weight. It is important to cleanse the liver to avoid bladder obstruction, constipation or soft feces, and improper micturition.

Liver cleanse may help you to lose weight, but prior to doing it, you should consult first your healthcare provider. Make sure not to abuse using the liver cleanse and keep in mind that it’s not a cure for liver diseases or complications.

Why should you cleanse your liver?

As mentioned above, there are factors that can cause damage to your liver such as eating imbalanced food, lack of exercise, and unhealthy lifestyle.

This may cause accumulation of fat in the liver, thus it is necessary to cleanse your liver. Liver detoxification can increase energy levels and liver function. This means that you’ll feel a lot better and eventually lose weight.

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Foods that help cleanse your liver

The main objective of liver cleanse is to eliminate toxic residue. There are much liver cleanse recipes to follow, but be careful in making your choice. It makes sense knowing the foods that can help to detoxify the liver.

  • Green tea – It contains antioxidants such as catechins that improves the liver function.
  • Whole grains – They help proper functioning of the liver and improve metabolizing fats.
  • Apples – The pectin content of apples along with other chemical components help to eliminate toxins accumulated from the digestive system.
  • Grapes – They contain antioxidants and natural sugars that activate proper liver functioning and stimulate the production of bile.
  • Leafy green vegetables – The chlorophyll present in green leafy vegetables is a great help for cleansing the liver. It absorbs the toxins from the bloodstream and other major organs of the body.
  • Beets and carrots – They are rich in beta-carotene and flavonoids that stimulate the liver function.
  • Avocado – Consuming avocado protects the liver from accumulating toxins and at the same time increases the cleansing power.

Liver Detox Recipes

After knowing the foods that provide great cleansing power, it makes sense knowing some liver detox recipes. You can make your own detox drink recipes using different ingredients that also provide various effects.

  • Warm lemon water

This detox drink recipe is simple to make using lemon. You can consume it in the morning prior to eating breakfast. Aside from being a detox drink, it also boosts the immune system and metabolism that is the key to weight loss.

  • Slim Down Detox Water

The ingredients that you will use in making this detox drink include lemons, cucumber, grapefruit, limes and water. The diuretic effect of cucumber helps your body to release water. The lemons and lime flush out toxins accumulated in the digestive tract, while the grapefruit helps to burn fat. Read cucumber lemon water recipe.

    • Strawberry Kiwi Detox Water

    Strawberries and grapefruit are rich in vitamins and minerals. This drink isn’t only ideal for detox but also for keeping your body hydrated and balances the sugar level.

    • Citrus Detox Water

    The combination of cucumbers, citrus fruits and mint leaves can result in a powerful detox drink. Aside from vitamin C, this drink is also rich in lycopene, potassium, phosphorous and calcium.

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    • Chia Detox Water

    Chia is one of the super foods that are rich in fiber and calcium. Adding chia seeds to water create gel-like consistency thus absorbs the water and curbs appetite.

    • Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Water

    Apple cider vinegar greatly helps to flush out toxins. Adding it to water is an effective detox drink. You can also add lemon, cucumber, and mint to the apple cider vinegar and water mixture.

    • Cayenne pepper and Lemon Detox

    Combining cayenne pepper, maple syrup, and organic lemon juice is a perfect drink that cleanses not only the digestive system but also the liver. Drinking this beverage flushes out toxins from the body.

    Aside from detox drink recipes, you can also consider making liver detox smoothie. There are healthy detox smoothie recipes that you can find online.

How To Use Turmeric For Weight Loss

Many people spending a huge amount of money to buy synthetic and natural supplements, weight loss gadgets, and bariatric surgeries.

But, not all can provide good results. It’s because the reaction of the body differs from one person to another.

The good thing is that there are weight loss supplements or products that are made with all natural ingredients. Turmeric is one of the natural ingredients that can help you shed unwanted pounds while keeping your body in optimal health.

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is an Asian spice that is scientifically called as Curcuma Longa. The rhizome is used in cooking, traditional medicines, and cosmetics.

The bioactive compounds present in turmeric provide several medicinal benefits. Curcumin is the most versatile and active compound of turmeric. Other compounds include Vitamins B and C, sodium, potassium, iron, volatile oils, α-linolenic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrate, proteins, fibers, and others.

These compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, thermogenic, and analgesic properties.

How Does Turmeric Help in Weight Loss?

Turmeric is popularly used for weight loss as it works to prevent fat accumulation. A study showed that curcumin has the ability to prevent fat deposits in the liver as well as the production of fetuin-A (1).

The liver of an overweight person synthesizes fetuin-A and emits it into the bloodstream. The fetuin-A is one of the causes of different metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and fatty liver (2).

You can speed up fat loss by adding turmeric in your cooking. Turmeric stimulates the metabolism and boosts thermogenesis, thus burn fat (3). In this case, the accumulated fat within the tissues is eliminated.

 

 

How Turmeric Benefits In Weight Loss

  1. Turmeric prevents fat accumulation and hastens fat loss

The fat accumulates in the adipose tissues that lead to obesity or excessive weight. However, angiogenesis or the formation of the new blood vessels is linked to fat deposits. Thus, it is important to target angiogenesis to reduce the accumulation of fat.

The curcumin present in turmeric prevents the fat accumulation, particularly in the adipose tissues. Likewise, it also reduces the size of the adipose tissues and reduction of fat.

It was also observed that fat deposition can be prevented by using turmeric. With this, the lipid profile of liver and blood improves.  This means that using turmeric is helpful in managing your weight.

  1. Turmeric can accelerate diet-induced weight loss

If you want to lose weight, you should pay attention to your diet. It is also important to check your calorie intake. With this, avoiding high-fat diet and consuming food that can help you to lose weight can help a lot.

Consider integrating turmeric in your diet that can induce weight loss. Although this spice contains carbohydrate, it doesn’t absorb into your body.

Turmeric also has dietary fibers that are also helpful to shedding extra pounds. The curcumin component of turmeric can significantly reduce fat, thus maintain the recommended BMI.

  1. Turmeric promotes browning of white adipose tissue

The brown adipose tissue is responsible for heat production that can burn lipids and glucose. The heat production of the brown tissue works as a therapeutic against obesity.

Curcumin facilitates browning of the white adipose tissue. Thus, the accumulated fat in your body is burned.  The browning of the adipose tissue prevents excessive weight gain.

  1. Turmeric has thermogenic action

Turmeric works as a thermogenic by burning the calories for energy expenditure. The thermogenic action promotes weight loss. If you’re into weight management, you should follow a diet that can increase the thermogenesis process in your body.

Adding turmeric to your diet can stimulate thermogenesis, thus lose weight. 6-gingerol is a component that is present in both ginger and turmeric. Through the thermogenic action, the metabolic rate is increased that results in burning of calories.

  1. Turmeric suppresses inflammation associated with obesity

Curcumin has an anti-inflammatory property that can address inflammation as a result of obesity. Apparently, the inflammation can lead to metabolic disorders and inability of the body to regulate the blood sugar.

Consuming turmeric slows down the production of pro-inflammatory factors, thus inflammation of the fat cells is prevented. In the same manner, the adipose tissue produces substances called as adipokines that have to pose inflammatory effect.

Turmeric can reduce inflammation as well as oxidative stress. With this, obesity-related disorders will be at bay.

  1. Turmeric has anti-diabetic action

Obese individuals are at higher risk of developing diabetes. Turmeric has the anti-diabetic effect that is useful to prevent or treat diabetes among obese individuals. The curcumin content of turmeric can reduce the blood sugar level.

  1. Turmeric prevents metabolic syndrome

Another health issue that is related to obesity is a metabolic syndrome. It is very common for obese people in which the fat is accumulated around the abdomen area. In this case, there’s a possibility to experience metabolic syndrome that in the worse case may result in coronary heart problems.

The best way to prevent metabolic syndrome is to reduce weight. Consuming turmeric is an effective way to fight against metabolic syndrome. It also reduces blood sugar levels, triglyceride, and cholesterol.

  1. Turmeric reduces depression

Finding the right way to reduce weight can cause depression not to mention the detrimental effects of being an overweight. This means that obesity can cause depression or the other way around.

The metabolic disturbance in the body caused by obesity can trigger depressive behavior. The metabolic disturbances include hormonal disorders, insulin resistance, and inflammatory signals.

How to use Turmeric for Weight Loss?

There are many options on how you can use turmeric for weight loss. You can choose supplements that are available in capsule or tablet form. If you will take turmeric orally, you should take it along with black pepper so that it will fully absorb into your body.

Drinking turmeric tea can also help to shed extra pounds because of its thermogenic effects that speed up the metabolism and burn fat faster. This may result in quick, yet safe weight loss. It is also helpful as a remedy for digestive problems and inflammation.

Aside from losing weight, consuming turmeric tea regulates blood sugar and prevents cardiovascular diseases.

You can make your own turmeric tea by boiling water and the spice. Add some honey to enhance the taste or drink it plain. Drink turmeric tea regularly to start losing weight and achieve a leaner weight.

Another way to use turmeric to lose weight is by adding the spice when cooking or blending it with smoothies. This won’t only make the food delicious but also prevents fat accumulation.

The Dosage of Turmeric for Weight loss

There’s no specific dosage of turmeric if you’ll use it for weight loss. It is believed that this spice is safe to take regularly. The main concern is how the body absorbs the turmeric. It is recommended to use turmeric little by little and slowly increase the amount gradually.

The daily recommended consumption of fresh root or powdered Turmeric root should be limited to 1 to 3 grams per day. If you prefer to take the Turmeric supplements, then don’t exceed the limit of 400-600 mg, 3 times per day (source: University of Maryland Medical Center).

You can start 1 teaspoon three times a day. However, do not take it on an empty stomach. It should not be taken along with medication to avoid negative interaction.

Generally, the dosage varies from one person to another depending on the tolerance of the stomach.

Who Should Not Use Turmeric?

Turmeric provides health benefits and helps in weight loss, but not all can take it. Some individuals should not take it including the following:

  1. Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Pregnant or breastfeeding women are not advised to take turmeric or any weight loss supplements. Instead, you can add turmeric when cooking for safety purposed to avoid the concentrated amount of curcumin.

  1. Individuals with gallbladder obstruction

Curcumin is deemed to be helpful in preventing gallstone formation. But, if a person already has gallstones, it is recommended to avoid curcumin supplements. Otherwise, you may experience severe pain due to contraction of the gallbladder.

  1. Individuals taking medications

Curcumin may cause adverse drug interactions when it interacts with some enzymes. That’s why if you’re taking medications you should consult first your doctor prior to taking turmeric supplements.

  1. People who are at risk of developing kidney stones

Turmeric has oxalate content that can increase the risk of developing kidney stones. That’s why those who are at high risk should take the spice in moderation or not at all.

Conclusion

If you will use turmeric for weight loss you can expect for long-term results. Likewise, it is also safe to use and effective as well as cost-effective.

It is effective for weight reduction and prevents fat accumulation. Because of its anti-inflammatory property, it can make white adipose tissue turns to brown. Likewise, it increases the metabolic rate of the body.

Turmeric fights complications associated with obesity that’s why it is a practical option to lose weight.

Laxatives For Weight Loss – Does it Really Work?

For years, many have sworn the effectiveness of laxatives in losing excess weight. But can laxative agents aid in weight loss?

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate many over-the-counter supplements claiming weight loss assistance. As a result, some products, including laxatives, should not get taken as a primary source of weight control or dietary supplement.

However, because laxatives don’t explicitly market themselves as weight supplements, many still claim that they discover results when taking them. How can you know that you aren’t doing more harm than good, and are laxatives safe for prolonged use?

Before you begin regularly taking laxatives for your health, make sure that you know of all the associated risks. You must also know when you should take them, as well as when to stop and seek medical help.

What Are Laxatives?

Laxatives are a mild form of medicine intended to treat constipation or irregular bowel movements. There are several different types of laxatives, some more natural than others (1).

Many people rely on digestive aids as part of their regular medication needs, and many well-known brands adequately test them before selling. But even the mildest laxatives depends on chemicals which can create prolonged health concerns, regardless of any natural components.

The majority of laxatives directly target the colon, although some may stimulate the lower intestine, the liver, kidneys, and even the stomach. These medicine types may need to get ingested as a syrup or a pill, or they may act as a suppository.

Some laxatives are milder than others, but they may take longer to begin working. They may come as prepackaged powders that mix with water, or they may just come in a pill or liquid.

Other laxatives may naturally come from certain types of oils. Castor oil, for example, has acted as a laxative for many years and may get added to other liquids safely.

Which type of laxative is best for you depends on the nature of your symptoms. Dietary fiber is a naturally-occurring source of laxatives, while stool softeners flood fat cells with water to make them pass through the digestive system more quickly.

Lubricant laxatives, on the other hand, helps stool pass by weighting down waste to force it to leave. However, few lubrication methods are natural, such as mineral oil or castor oil, and may create prolonged side effects or health risks.

Do Laxatives Help You Lose Weight?

Because laxative medicines are efficient at purging excess stool and toxins from your body quickly, they have gotten used by those expecting to see weight loss results from their use. However, there remains little to no medical evidence to support that claim.

Most digestive aids sold in stores do not explicitly advertise as a weight loss supplement or dietary pills. But despite these products remaining labeled only for discomfort or softening stool, some still claim that they lose weight taking them.

Laxatives are effective at removing excess water and the related weight that comes with it. But removing water from the body only leads to temporary weight loss.

Those users expecting laxatives to perform as a regular weight loss supplement may wind up damaging their body in the process. As a result, it’s difficult to justify their prolonged use, especially for those attempting to shed additional weight.

If someone were to depend on laxatives specifically for weight loss, they would be best suited to depend on dietary forms of fiber. Because these laxatives are frequently fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods, they are far healthier to ingest over extended periods.

How Long Do the Effects of Laxatives Last?

The duration of the effects of laxatives depends on what type of medicine the user took. The more pharmaceutical in nature the drug happens to be, the longer the duration and its side effects.

Choosing a natural source of fiber, such as bananas, prunes, and dark, leafy vegetables last for as long as it takes to digest. Suppositories may act within minutes, while pills and other medicated types may take hours to end their effects entirely.

Some laxatives, such as bulk-forming agents, are intended for use as a regular maintenance supplement. As long as they remain taken under the proposed use directions, your risk of side effects should stay minimal, if at all.

Bisacodyl, which is an organic compound that gets included in many over-the-counter laxatives, can last for at least 12 hours at a time. Although it’s safer than other types, it should still only get taken as directed.

Because some types may last for hours or even days on end, repeated abuse shows symptoms before long. As a result, it remains recommended that someone only take laxatives when they need to aid their body’s natural digestive process.

What are the Side Effects of Laxatives?

Taking laxatives daily for weight loss may result in damaging your digestive tract, especially the colon. Because you’re forcing your body to push stool out more frequently, you may wind up wearing out these organs sooner than they naturally would.

As is the case with any medication type, side effects run from milder sensations to highly dangerous health risks. As laxatives target the digestive system, these risks should get seriously considered before taking over long periods.

When taken correctly, the risk of laxative-induced issues is minimal. But with repeated, abused use of these medications so does the chances of a severe health risk developing.

Milder side effects often present themselves in the form of abdominal cramps. Some discomfort remains expected when taking these medication types.

Other side effects may form in repeated, uncontrollable flatulence, bloating, constipation, or even diarrhea. Stronger forms of medication can create more serious health concerns, such as dehydration, hypertension, electrolyte imbalance, dizziness, and fainting.

Patients who also suffer from bulimia or other eating disorders have also reported developing a dependence on abusing laxatives. Over time, your body struggles to operate without them.

Some who repeatedly take medication may develop dark colored stool, prolonged pain in your intestines, or repeated vomiting. Worst still are cases where uses produce kidney damage.

Finally, there is the risk of obstructing your digestive tract rather than clear it away. That may occur from not consuming enough water with the supplement, causing it to harden or clump together instead.

What Will Happen if You Take Laxatives Every Day?

The average person is not going to need to take laxatives. However, as is the case with all medicines, when you do run into digestive issues they need to get swallowed as required.

Extended use of laxatives may prevent you from noticing early warning signs of constipation, as well as other digestive ailments. Your body may find that it struggles to remove wastes naturally after too many uses.

Those who do regularly abuse laxatives may make it difficult for your body to absorb other medications. If you depend on prescription drugs for specific diseases, they may not wholly take because of the laxative.

Your digestive system is more than just your stomach and colon. It also ties together your liver, kidneys, intestines, and even blood cells.

Repeated abuse can harm one or many of these organs. Although they may seem practical at purging additional weight from the body, they are not considered safe as acting primarily as a fat loss supplement.

How Often is it Safe to Take a Laxative?

Due to the varied side effects, laxatives can create, as well as their prolonged risks, some users are hesitant to their use. However, as is the expectation with any medication type, safe, directed use reduces unnecessary health risks.

If you have suffered from irregular bowel movements, or it’s a struggle to use the bathroom, you likely need to try a laxative supplement. Laxatives must remain taken as their labels direct the user.

Most, if not all, medications should advise the user when it’s time to stop taking them and see a medical professional. Depending on the laxative type, that may be a few repeated doses or following a week of using it.

Even though the majority of digestive aids are available without a prescription, they must remain monitored strictly. Otherwise, you may find that your constipation has worsened rather than ceased.

Should You Use Laxatives for Weight Loss?

At the time of this writing, the medical community has not discovered enough supporting evidence to suggest that laxative medications can lead to extended weight loss. In fact, repeated use or even abuse of these substances can cause many health concerns.

The safer alternative is proper dieting and exercising. Although laxatives are safe for their intended use and medical needs, they should not get taken explicitly for weight loss.

Doing so can lead to digestive issues, organ failure, or physical dependence on laxatives. These medicines are also popular among those who suffer from eating disorders, especially types of bulimia.

Laxatives should not get used as a weight loss supplement. Instead, they must only get used as directed. Although more in-depth medical studies should occur for a more definitive ruling, many medical journals have reviewed them over the past few decades.

Rather than risking health and safety, speaking with a nutritionist or health expert is a better choice. They can best explain your exact dietary requirements, as well as promote natural digestive health.

10 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Lose Weight

Losing weight and getting in shape is a common resolution that many people want to start. But, it can be challenging to start and stick to a weight loss plan.

Some people said that losing weight is easier said than done. Others easily start a fitness plan but stop in the middle. This is maybe because their motivation is not solid and sags soon.

Motivate Yourself to Lose Weight

 

Motivation plays a big role in your quest to lose weight. It should keep burning from the start till the end. If you think that your motivation starts to wane, consider the tips listed below.

  1. Determine your purpose

If you want to succeed in anything that you want to achieve, the first thing to do before you start is to identify your purpose. It will serve as your motivation and reminder so that you’ll be committed to achieving your goals of losing weight. Regardless of your purpose, the key to success is if the motivation is from your heart.

  1. Set realistic expectations

To prevent burn out and boost your feelings of achievement, you should set realistic expectations. Keep in mind that losing weight isn’t an overnight task. Health experts recommend that losing at least 1 to 2 pounds a week is a good start (1).

Setting achievable goals can give a feeling of accomplishment once you achieve them, otherwise, you will end up frustrated and give up.

  1. Set process goals

To keep you stay motivated, you should not only focus on outcome goals but also set process goals. SMART goals can keep your motivation on track. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based.

  1. Choose a diet plan that suits your lifestyle

Choosing a diet plan suitable to your lifestyle and you can use for long-term can help a lot in your weight loss efforts. In the same manner, if you see good results from your diet plan, you’ll be motivated to stick to it for long-term.

As much as possible, you should avoid strict diets or yo-yo dieting because you can’t expect good results from them. You can customize your diet plan by reducing the calorie intake, observe portion sizes, including more vegetables and fruits, and reduce intake of fried food, desserts and snacks.

  1. Maintain a weight loss journal

Another thing that can motivate you to lose weight is to maintain a weight loss journal. This way, you can measure and monitor the progress of your effort and at the same time identify the food and other factors that can hinder your weight loss goals.

You can write everything that you eat and the activity that you engage as well as your emotions. Through the journal, you can avoid overeating and find a healthier way to lose weight.

  1. Always practice a positive attitude

If you practice positive attitude, you’ll be more motivated to achieve your goals. If you feel that you’re tempted to skip your routine for a day, you should think about the benefits of living a healthier lifestyle.

Keep in mind that it will take time before you can achieve your goals. But, you should keep a positive outlook and focus on your goals.

  1. Find support

The support from your family or friend is a great thing to strengthen your motivation towards your weight loss goals.

As you need to modify your lifestyle and eating habit, it can help a lot if there’s someone who will encourage you throughout the process.

  1. Pick a role model

Another way to keep you motivated in your weight loss effort is to pick a role model. Someone whom you know is physically fit and has a better body. You can follow his or her fitness plan.

Look at her or his picture so that you’ll be motivated to perform your routine and eventually achieve the body and weight that you dreamed of.

  1. Be committed

Even if you’re motivated to lose weight if you’re not committed to it, you can’t realize your goals. Share your goals with your family, friends, or even to the public. This way, you’ll be held accountable and stay motivated to achieve your goals.

  1. Seek professional help

“We cannot solve the problems that we have created with the same thinking that created them in the first place. ~ Albert Einstein” We always need someone to solve our problem, even for weight loss.

If it’s your first time to perform weight loss plan, you should not hesitate to seek professional help. This way, you’ll know the right things you need to do.

Bottom Line

There are several factors that affect the intensity of motivation towards losing weight. With all those tips discussed above, you’ll surely find one that will keep you motivated.

However, you should not focus on perfection, but rather allow yourself to be flexible while maintaining the intensity of your motivation. Likewise, celebrate with the improvement achieved on your weight loss efforts.

How to Burn 1000 Calories a Day Without the Gym

Burning calories is not that easy as many of us think, but it is achievable as long as you’re dedicated and determined. There are many ways to burn calories either going to the gym or perform exercises diligently.

As you want to burn calories, you should anticipate that there are several factors that determine the success of this task. The fitness level and the weight of the person should be considered. Likewise, the duration, intensity, and type of activity also plays a big part in burning calories.

The good thing is that it is possible to burn calories even without going to the gym. All you have to do is to pick high intensity exercise that requires to use more energy, thus burn more calories.

If you aim to burn 1000 calories per day, the best thing to do is to perform exercises at a time within the day. You can use a calorie burn calculator or a heart rate monitor to calculate the calories burned accurately.

Ideal Activities that Help Burn More Calories

1. Running

Running
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In just a short span of time you can burn more calories through running. A 150 lb individual can burn about 1,022 calories by running 6 mph within 90 minutes.

Running stairs help to burn 1,020 calories an hour. You can burn 670 calories per hour by running 5.2 mph.

2. Jumping Rope

Image Source: https://flic.kr/p/RFNX1j

Jumping rope is a high calorie-burning exercise as it can burn around 11 calories per minute. This means that to burn more calories, you should increase the intensity and speed of jumping.

According to a study, jumping at a moderate level of 140 revolutions per minute can achieve burning 1,022 calories within 90 minutes.

If you will do this activity at a fast pace of 180 to 200 rpm, the same amount of calories will be burned in 75 minutes.

Read: BMI Chart – Find your Ideal Weight

2. Biking

Biking
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The result of bicycling on burning calories depends on the terrainand intensity. Likewise, the amount of calories burned also vary between riding in an outdoor bike or riding a stationary bike.

Biking at a racing pace of 16 to 19 minutes per hour within 75 minutes will help you burn approximately 1,020 calories.

3. Interval training

Push Up To Lose Arm Fat

Interval training is a combination of less intense recovery exercise and short span of high-intensity exercises. A good example of this exercise is doing 2 minutes sprint with one minute recovery jog. The high intensity of sprinting plays a big part in burning more calories.

Doing high intensity walking can shorten the span of walking. The results of interval training depend on the type of exercise implemented.

Other recovery exercises that you can combine with high-intensity exercises include squats, lunges, push-ups, and bicep curls.

Read: 10 Best Exercises To Lose Arm Fat At Home

4. Swimming

Swimming
Image Source: pixabay

Another activity that can help burn more calories is swimming. It is a low-impact aerobic exercise that can burn around 744 calories per hour. Doing the butterfly stroke can burn 818 calories per hour.

While you want to burn more calories without going to the gym, make sure to consult first your doctor before starting a fitness routine. It is recommended to choose and employ a routine based on the diet and metabolism as well as fitness level. This way, you can ensure burning more calories effectively.