Wednesday, September 17, 2014

By Lynnette Coma


Saffron comes from the plant Crocus sativus and it is commonly used as a spice and other culinary applications. And while its extract offers a wide range of medicinal benefits, saffron for weight loss usually gets the most attention from people. Thanks to Dr. Oz, this supplement is now gaining worldwide interest despite the limited scientific studies that support its health benefits.

Saffron for weight loss is said to be very effective primarily because it is able to curb one's appetite and tone down cravings. One of the causes of weight gain is compulsive eating, usually as a reaction to emotional factors such as boredom, anxiety, and anger. People don't really think about the quantity and quality of what they eat when under emotional stress and this ultimately leads to weight gain.

In a clinical study, it was revealed that saffron could promote weight loss because of how it alters the brain's production of serotonin to aid in the suppression of appetite and cravings. It is said that serotonin can significantly affect a person's psychological and physiological functions such as behavior and mood. Experts believe that increased serotonin helps influence the weight loss process.

In order to test the efficacy of saffron for weight loss, Dr. Oz came up with his own experiment. He asked two women volunteers to take saffron supplements over the course of one weekend and they claimed to have decreased their snacking even when under emotional stress. In effect, one of the women lost 5 pounds while the other lost 3 pounds.

In another study that was published last 2010 in Nutrition Research, 60 mildly overweight women were divided into two groups, with the first group being given a saffron supplement while the other group was given a placebo. The group that took saffron for weight loss was able to reduce their snacking by a significant percentage while the other group had minimal results.

It is important to be aware that many of the clinical studies involving saffron for weight loss made use of Satiereal, a proprietary blend of saffron that has been mentioned by Dr. Oz in his show. According to studies, Satiereal saffron supplements can also help a person to shy away from sugary foods, which can be a big factor in additional weight gain.

Besides being used as a weight-loss supplement, taking saffron extract may also be able to alleviate a myriad of health issues including asthma, coughing, intestinal gas, heartburn, dry skin, and insomnia. It may also help women to get relief from menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome. There are also experts who claim that it can act as an aphrodisiac.

Even with all the weight loss benefits you can get using saffron for weight loss, you must still keep in mind that it is not meant to be an instant solution for your weight issues. Even Dr. Oz says that supplements are only there to enhance your weight-loss program and they must not replace a healthy diet and regular exercise. Patience and hard work are your allies in helping your achieve your goals.




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