Ginseng for Weight Loss and Health

I was window shopping through our local asian neighborhood yesterday on my walk to the gym after work. I often love to shop in the asian stores because there are so many interesting things that you can’t find anywhere else. A wok, a sushi set, a pair of cheap flip-flops and a package of Hello Kitty stationary are only a few of my more recent purchases.

As I was passing by an asian health store I saw a big display for ginseng in the window. I recalled when I was younger taking ginseng to stay awake for school exams and I remembered that it worked really well as an energy booster. Sort of spur of the moment, I went inside and bought a box of Panax Ginseng Extractum.

Ginseng can benefit weight loss in a number of ways, such as increasing energy and stamina and stabilizing blood sugar levels.

Even though I don’t like the taste of ginseng extract, the little vials and tiny straws you get are really fun to use. I sucked a vial of ginseng back once I got out of the store and by the time I reached the gym I was feeling a little buzzed. I have to say that I worked out harder yesterday than most days and I think it definitely had something to do with taking ginseng. So before I make this a regular trend, I thought I would explore if ginseng improves weight loss and health.

There are two types of ginseng: Asian Ginseng and American Ginseng. According to an online herbal remedy source, American Ginseng is the best choice for improving physical activity. Of course, the quality of the ginseng you buy is also very important. You may end up being very disappointed with the effects of a cheap ginseng. This is not to say that you should spend hundreds of dollars either, which high quality ginseng is sold for. I spent about $30US for 30 10cc vials and it worked well for me and I’m pretty sure this is on the cheap side of the scale. Don’t hesitate to ask for a recommendation from someone who works at the store if you’re not sure what brand to buy.

Ginseng has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans and the Chinese. Ginseng is commonly used to boost energy levels, increase stamina, improve the immune system and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Modern day scientists have discovered properties of ginseng that may be responsible for weight reduction. Those who are overweight tend to have slower metabolism rates, which increases the amount of excess food energy that is stored as fat in the body. Research has found that ginseng helps in improving an individual’s rate of metabolism, thus reducing the amount of food energy converted into body fat.

Ginseng can also help people lose weight because it provides the body with energy and stamina. This means that for those who are participating in a weight loss program that requires a lot of physical exercise, taking ginseng can improve your workouts. This is particularly helpful when dieting and your body is not receiving as many calories as it is used to, which can cause you to feel sluggish and low-energy. Ginseng may be able to help give you a needed energy boost to get your exercise done for the day, without an intake of calories.

One of the other great health benefits of Ginseng that may also improve weight loss, is its ability to stabilize blood sugar levels. This is a beneficial aspect for weight loss because it prevents spikes in blood sugar levels that result in the over-production of insulin. High levels of insulin prevent the breakdown of body fat for energy and increases the amount of body fat produced. In addition to weight loss, ginseng’s ability to stabilize blood sugar levels can be a preventative for other health conditions including insulin resistance and diabetes.

Ginseng also acts as a natural stress inhibitor and has many calming properties. It  is also good for stimulating mental alertness and improving blood circulation. Some sources claim that taking ginseng also helps in restricting the concentration of cholesterol around the heart. This may reduce the chances of those who are overweight from developing heart complications.

Ginseng root is widely available and can be used dried or fresh. It can also be purchased in tablets, extracts, teas, drinks and other food products. Ginseng should by no means be considered a complete weight loss program on its own, but can be helpful when taken as part of one. In order to lose weight, a  person should maintain other weight loss activities such as exercising and eating food full of nutrients in small portions. As a precaution, it is recommended that people who want to use ginseng should obtain professional advice from physicians or qualified nutritionists before taking it. Those who are using medication should also consult their physicians before taking ginseng.