When I started fasting for weight loss, I soon realized I was going to need extra energy to help
me maintain my daily activities. I did not have the luxury of taking a vacation while I fasted. In fact,
I had to maintain a demanding work schedule and be productive ... so the challenge was before me from
the start. Looking for information (I wanted to fast no matter what), I came across green tea weight loss
studies that talked about its
thermogenic or body heating effects. Intrigued, I continued my research.
I learned that drinking
pure oolong tea or
green tea extract- a more concentrated
form of oolong tea - could give me more energy. It also could help accelerate fat burning
or oxidation and consequently, facilitate weight loss. I was amazed, yet still skeptical. By
the way,
green tea contains a powerful antioxidant called
Epigallocatechin (EGCG)
which helps the body repair itself at the cellular level.
Practical Results
At the time I was new to fasting but my efforts were going fairly well. I started with juice fasting
and had gotten pretty good at mixing fruits, vegetables and even yogurt to sustain me. I also
did several three-day water only fasts, which were even more challenging.
But, through it all, I found myself feeling very weak and the hunger pains had me against the ropes.
They were relentless. Also, the pounds were not melting as swiftly as
I had hoped. As I recall, I was coming up on a special engagement that required me
to be at a very specific weight.
I can tell you from first-hand experience that green tea, while
not a fix-all, DID help to expedite loss of weight. It was not shockingly
dramatic but it did help. It
made the weight loss consistent and noticeable. I had fasted before without using green tea
and noticed a positive difference. Drinking green tea also DID pep me up
and allow me to stay
functional. I was convinced. Green tea weight loss and energy-boosting properties were real.
Green Tea Studies
Micronutrient research by the
Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University has looked
closely at green tea and its effect in humans. According to the institute, green tea
weight loss occurs because the body appears to use more energy after the tea is ingested due to the
herb's inherent fat oxidation and body heating properties.
The tea leaf contains large quantities of
phytochemical polyphenols called flavonols, commonly known as
catchetins.
Although green
tea and black tea originate from the same leaf, they have different chemical structures
due to how they are processed. Apart from an initial brief steam roasting to stop fermentation,
the production of green tea is largely a manual process.
Japanese Green Teas contain more catchetins
than Chinese green teas. I personally discovered that this added energy from catchetins can help
immensely while fasting, especially when one needs to maintain daily activities or work.
The green tea weight loss properties were an added bonus!
Green Tea Weight Loss vs. Coffee
In addition to Linus Pauling, I found another interesting study published in the
American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition (1999) where subjects were given caffeine and asked to compare its effect to the one
produced after drinking green tea. The participants drinking green tea showed higher thermogenic
(body heating) and fat oxidation than those taking just caffeine. Why? Because, the study indicates,
it is the catchetins in green tea that produce this energy boosting, fat burning result
- not the caffeine as initially suspected.
Further supporting green tea weight loss claims, the
International Journal of Obesity has stated that
green tea increases the body's ability to burn calories and fat, thus helping people to lose weight.
So if you do not like caffeine (like me) you can have the same green tea weight loss results with
decaf green tea. One more study by
American Journal
of Clinical Nutrition is dated Jan. 2005 and concludes that daily consumption for 12 weeks of
green tea containing 690 mg. of catchetins helpes to reduce body fat. This, the journal added,
suggests that the catchetins in green tea might be useful for obesity.
Green tea weight loss and energy-boosting properties are truly helpful.
The Ephedrine Factor
One question I am often asked about green tea weight loss is whether it helps to
ALSO drink or take
supplements that have ephedrine. Green tea does have caffeine, but not as much as coffee. But when you
add ephedrine AND caffeine,
in my opinion, the result is a bomb that your body does not need - especially if you are fasting.
Ephedrine is similar to amphetamines and is found naturally in the Chinese herbal medicine
Ma Huang and in
Mormon's Tea- also known as Brigham Tea.
Some college students and truck drivers use it for its sleep-suppressing
effect. But
ephedrine also raises heart rate and blood pressure. Ephedrine has been tragically
associated with strokes and deaths in adolescents. So be very cautious.
Read labels and, when possible, shun green tea
(whether liquid, capsules or powder) that has been "enhanced" with ephedrine.
While initially it may seem that the 'burst' of energy one receives is great, ingesting this type of
'drug' goes totally against what fasting represents and is downright dangerous - in my opinion.
It is
better to go through a little discomfort than to cut corners and take this type of risk. Green tea
weight loss benefits do not have to be supplemented in this manner.
Fasting is
a very special time of deep introspection and dynamic change - let's not taint it with anything that
can be counterproductive. If tried to take shortcuts and 'easier-softer ways' in many areas of
my life for a lot of years. IT NEVER WORKED.
The result was nearly-always more trouble and heartache.
What about Power/Energy Drinks?
Neither can I recommend the ingestion of so called
energy drinks as a
replacement or supplement
to green tea weight loss properties. Nearly all of these drinks
contain too many stimulants and, especially when fasting, may cause very unpleasant nervousness
rather than energy.
They also usually have large amounts of sugar or corn syrup which, when
fasting, could very much upset your stomach
(not to mention perpetuate intestinal toxicity).
You are fasting to lose weight and for detoxification, not to replace food with ephedrine and loads
of sugar.
Stick to green tea with or without caffeine, but say NO to additional stimulants!
I can tell you that while I was fasting, the experience was much more pleasurable when I drank a
cup of green tea several times a day. I had more energy and the hunger pains were not as strong.
I also lost weight more steadily thanks to the catchetins' fat burning effect.
Usually when I am fasting
I take green tea with me in a thermos. But you also can use it in powder form, extract, herbal
preparations etc? Remember: you are fasting to improve your health and quality of life.
This takes time. Take it easy. Breathe. Do not rush or try to cut corners with so called power
drinks or teas spiked with ephedrine!
Green Tea & Insomnia
Green tea weight loss and energy faculties are very helpful. But be careful if you have sleep-related
problems. Green tea, if ingested too late during the day, may strain your system and actually
worsen insomnia.
My suggestion is that, if you do have trouble sleeping, that you do not drink
any tea with caffeine after 6PM. The whole point of using green tea while fasting is to reduce
the discomfort associated with the process, not to increase it.
To be fasting and NOT be able to sleep is like being
in purgatory, trust me. I have been there many times and do not wish it on anybody. The more time I can
consume sleeping during a fast - so much the better.
There are other types of soothing herbal teas that can also
help with the hunger pains, without possibly disrupting your much-needed rest during this period of
fasting.
Royal Camomile is my personal favorite. It is calming and excellent to soothe hunger pains, especially
useful at night before going to bed. Remember, green tea does have caffeine. Not as much as coffee, but it
does contain it nevertheless.
Beyond Tea & Pills
It is my firm opinion that fasting for weight loss combined with at least three cups of green tea
per day can place your efforts in the fast track to success. If you prefer green tea powder or capsules,
I would stick to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition's recommendation of 690 milligrams per day.
I recommend these 100% pure and organic (Items #3 & #8)
Oolong Tea products as support to your
fasting and weight loss goals.
It might taste a little strong for you at first if you are not used to it, but it is by far the best -
in my experience. And I have drank lots of tea. So, in closing, I want to emphasize that the new life
you seek through fasting is much more than just drinking tea or juices.
Green tea weight loss capacities
can be an excellent support to your efforts. But this is about permanently changing your
eating habits and embracing a more active lifestyle. No pill, juice or tea is the one and all solution.
Please, let me repeat it once more: The new life
you seek is about changing your eating habits and embracing a more active lifestyle.
For additional support while fasting please visit
Fasting Motivation
and
Fasting and The Mind.
If you are serious about changing your life through fasting, you may also wish to consider starting a
Fasting Journal
to record the magnificent changes that with effort and faith will certainly materialize in your life.
Green tea weight loss and energy-boosting properties can serve as positive support to help you achieve
your goals.
A Standing Recommendation
In addition to green tea weight loss properties, I want to share with you is the inclusion of a
very powerful
supplement, and that is Himalayan Crystal Salt. Crystal salt has
very powerful properties that can help your body heal and cleanse while you are water fasting.
What I do is add three tablespoons to a gallon of water and make it a point to drink it in its entirety
over a 24-hour period. The benefits have been so amazing that I have continued to add the salt to my
drinking water even when I am not fasting.
Himalayan Crystal Salt. is known to contain energy and healing properties that assist in
bringing the body's regulatory system
(homeostasis) into balance. This fosters improved blood pH, digestive
system functions, brain activity, respiration, and it also helps remove heavy metals from your body.
Highly recommended supplement as compliment to green tea weight loss properties.
Fitness Through Fasting Resources
We have launched the
FastingOlogy course, a 9-month training comprised of weekly lessons in PDF format delivered via e-mail,
at a cost of $23 monthly. I have searched across the Internet and have
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detoxification. If you are interested in breaking free of destructive eating and are willing to go to
any length to achieve your weight loss and health goals ... then this program could be for you.
In FastingOlogy, members are guided through the process of transforming eating habits, achieving deep
digestive system detoxification, as well practicing water and juice fasts from 24 hours to 30 days in length.
It is truly a life-changing journey. Furthermore, if at any time you wish to receive some one-one-one coaching and fasting support, you can visit the
Coaching Page and sign up
for daily interaction with me via private message board. The cost is $85 monthly, paid via Paypal.
Dont' forget to drop
Fasting Forum I and/or
Fasting Forum II and join the community
conversation. You can ask for feedback on a question and/or concern, look for a fasting buddy and/or
add your knowledge for everyone's benefit.
Robert Dave Johnston Fitness Through Fasting-Editor/Webmaster
Publisher:The Anti Prevention Nation Ezine &
FastingOlogy 9-Month Membership Course.
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