Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 7/26/2006

Question
I've seen commercials on TV for natural pills you can take to directly decrease the amount of tummy fax and excess fat in the hip area that women get after the age of 30. I'm 29 and after three kids, I have a big pooch. I used to go to the gym before the kids, but now working full-time, being a part-time student, and a mother of three little ones, I don't have the time. How safe are these pills and do they work? Thanks.

Answer
Ms Castano,
Thanks for your question.  I can understand your concern and need for simple options for losing weight, given your busy schedule.  Unfortunately, those weight loss pills are not effective for long-term weight loss, especially in the areas women commonly gain weight in.  They are sometimes effective in the short term, but usually after going off the products, the weight is regained, with the bonus of increased difficulty losing it the next time.  Also, these products are often not safe, containing herbs/ supplements that are harmful for many people, especially when used in excess amounts.
The secret to weight loss is that there is no secret:  it's all information you have heard, like eating less, eating more nutritious foods, decreasing stress, sleeping 7-8 hours a night, and exercising more.  However you can fit that into your schedule, it needs to be done.  It's the best strategy for long-term weight control, plus you will feel better and prevent many chronic conditions by following just those guidelines.  Specifically, decreasing simple carbohydrates (all breads, baked goods, sugar, white rice, potatoes) and increasing protein from beans, eggs, and organic grass-fed dairy & meats can help with weight loss in the abdomen and hips.  There are also a couple of supplement categories to look into:  adrenal herbs, which can increase energy and are often needed for those who burn the candle at both ends, like you are doing; blood sugar regulators (like chromium, often deficient in pre-diabetic and diabetic people); and metabolism boosters (like green tea, the safest of them) to increase calorie burning.  I don't recommend the TV advertised supplements, even though they may contain some of these supplements; they are overpriced, poor-quality, and unregulated.  Stick with your local health food store instead, but always be a savvy consumer with supplements and herbs.  If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
I hope that gives you some ideas to start with.  Good luck in you search.  
Dr Conner