Recently a new and supposedly natural means of weight loss has become a hotly discussed topic: it is the sacred lotus leaf (Nelumbo Nucifera) from the Far East that is supposed to help in weight loss and also improve overall health.
The sacred lotus leaf for weight loss
It is said that the sacred lotus leaf belongs to the lotus family and has long been known to have certain health benefits – from resolving very heavy menstrual flow to stopping blood in urine to arresting bleeding it is even thought to stop diarrhea and cure skin diseases. It is now also being claimed that this can be a safe and natural way to promote weight loss.
A study conducted by researchers Ji-Yung Park and Huan Du at the Department of Food and Nutrition at the Inha University in Incheon, Korea claim that a supplement made from the extract of the lotus leaf would help prevent fat tissue from forming.
This is achieved by inhibition of the process of absorption of fats and carbs and by increasing the metabolism or the rate at which the body expends energy.
It is being claimed that lotus leaf therapy is holistic and safe and has no harmful side effects.
Are these supplements really “natural”?
Right alongside reports such as those of the lotus leaf as a weight loss supplement, we find that government advisories are being issued against the so-called ‘herbal’ diet pills and supplements to enhance sexual performance.
The FDA is reported to have issued a warning letter to a Hollywood based company called Globe All Wellness LLC due to the ingredients of their so-called herbal medications.
The company manufactures a product called SlimXtreme, which is supposed to be made from all natural ingredients but is seen to contain anti obesity drug sibutramine hydrochloride known to increase heart disease and stroke risk. Their product ViaXtreme is seen to contain sildenafil, the same active ingredient as Viagra.
The company’s claims that their weight loss supplement contains lotus leaf, konjac root and bitter orange and that their product for enhancing sexual performance was made from horny goat weed and Asiatic dogwood. There is no mention of the pharmaceuticals that the supplements contain.
This serves as yet another warning not to take claims of ‘herbal’, ‘safe’, ‘natural’ and so on at face value, just because manufactures make those claims on their websites or even on the product package.