While shopping last week I just dropped my head in sadness. Every store I went to had some larger than normal or should I say larger than physician recommended female hounding a salesperson or a pharmacy technician for the latest, greatest wonder pill. You know the one. The wonderful new Raspberry Ketones! Does Dr Oz realize the power he has? I am not so sure. Sure he is doing wonderful things with his million dollar weight loss program in association with Weight Watchers, but telling women that Raspberry Ketones melts away the fat, and I am quite sure I heard them discuss in conjuction with an exercise program. But, NO WOMAN in her right mind, looking for the easy answer heard that! There was also mention of CLA…something body builders have been using for years because it does assist with muscle mass. Exercise and calories in vs calories burnt is still the only answer! I have been searching for a week and here is the best reason to not rely on it to melt away your fat! What’s all this talk about raspberry ketones? Well, Dr. Oz has inherited the “Oprah effect,” and if he mentions it everyone wants it; or at least wants to know what it is. So i did your research for you. You decide what your going to do. But, I am not taking this stuff….
Via Care2:
Since his episode aired earlier this week announcing the new “miracle” weight loss supplement raspberry ketone, the Internet has been ablaze with searches. Stores are already back-ordered, and pharmacists are having to become experts on the subject almost over night.
“The amount of questions that came pouring in to my pharmacy about raspberry ketones just hours after Dr. Oz’s episode about them makes me think I need to start DVRing the show,” said Dr. Sarah G. Khan, our resident pharmacist at DietsInReview.com. She explains that the raspberry ketones have a weight loss effect because they increase “the metabolism by increasing the release of a hormone called norepinephrine.” Dr. Khan further explains that the other mechanism at play is “a protein that is found on fat cells called adiponectin… [which] decreases glucose levels and has been found to be very successful in lab tests with mice regarding weight loss.”
While she thinks long-term use of such a metabolism-boosting supplement could have effects on your thyroid, she also advises against their use by diabetics.
She’s not the only one speaking out against the new it-pill of the moment. Our resident dietitian Mary Hartley suggests that these raspberry ketones are nothing more than TV hype. She describes them as “compounds that give red raspberries their aroma.”
Where has Dr. Oz found support for his shining recommendation? Mice.
“That fat-blasting claim rests on two small mice studies that show when mice are fed a high-fat diet supplemented with raspberry ketones they gain less body fat than expected,” explained Hartley. “But be clear: raspberry ketones have not been studied in humans and they have not been proven to work.”
The dose, as directed by Dr. Oz’s assistant on the show, Lisa Lynn, is 100mg for breakfast and then 200mg at lunch. Hartley notes this dosing regimen will cost you “$20 to $60 a month, for a still unproven product.” She and Dr. Oz agree on one thing, you couldn’t possibly eat enough fresh raspberries to match the concentration in a dose of raspberry ketones, which would require about 90 pounds of berries.
The bottom line, as Dr. Khan asserts, “With any supplement I say go in it with a grain of salt.” As it’s untested in humans, and supplements like this don’t require any FDA oversight or approval, any supplement you buy leaves you at the mercy of the manufacturer. Your best bet, avoid these unproven supplements and stick to a healthy diet and consistent exercise regimen. However, if you do find yourself looking to buy, be sure that the raspberry ingredients are listed as main ingredients and not buried at the bottom of the list or excluded entirely.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/health-experts-explain-the-raspberry-ketone-craze.html#ixzz1mxmws2Ux
Then I searched some more on CLA;
by Mary J. Shomon
January 2001 — Major news for people with thyroid problems who are facing weight loss challenges is the news that the natural dietary supplement conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat in people who are overweight.
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, published in the December 2000 issue of the Journal of Nutrition found that CLA reduces fat and preserves muscle tissue. According to the research project manager, an average reduction of six pounds of body fat was found in the group that took CLA, compared to a placebo group. The study found that approximately 3.4 grams of CLA per day is the level needed to obtain the beneficial effects of CLA on body fat.
Dr. Michael Pariza, who conducted research on CLA with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reported in August 2000 to the American Chemical Society that “It doesn’t make a big fat cell get little. What it rather does is keep a little fat cell from getting big.” Pariza’s research did not find weight loss in his group of 71 overweight people, but what he did find was that when the dieters stopped dieting, and gained back weight, those taking CLA “were more likely to gain muscle and not fat.” In a separate study conducted at Purdue University in Indiana, CLA was found to improve insulin levels in about two-thirds of diabetic patients, and moderately reduced the blood glucose level and triglyceride levels.
CLA has been the subject of a variety of research in the past several years, and findings also suggest that some of the other benefits of CLA include the following:
Increases metabolic rate — This would obviously be a positive benefit for thyroid patients, as hypothyroidism — even when treated — can reduce the metabolic rate in some people.
Decreases abdominal fat — Adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this benefit could be quite helpful.
Enhances muscle growth — Muscle burns fat, which also contributes to increased metabolism, which is useful in weight loss and management.
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides — Since many thyroid patients have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, even with treatment, this benefit can have an impact on a thyroid patient’s health.
Lowers insulin resistance — Insulin resistance is a risk for some hypothyroid patients, and lowering it can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes and make it easier to control weight.
Reduces food-induced allergic reactions — Since food allergies can be at play when weight loss becomes difficult, this can be of help to thyroid patients.
Enhances immune system — Since most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature, enhancing the immune system’s ability to function properly is a positive benefit.
If you’re interested in taking CLA to help with weight loss, keep in mind that it’s not a magic pill, and you will need to start a program of diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off.
Did you guys get that? Both of these drugs mess with your thyroid function!! Seems to me you would be getting a double whammy if you took them together? We also need to think about the regulations on it. Is it monitored as heavily as prescription drugs, I think not. That means you will probably get any kitchen sink variety!
Again….listen with tender ears, do your research and make smart healthy decisions. Exercise and diet are still the biggest factors in weight loss and general health and well being.
