According to the National Institutes of Health, about 60 percent of American adults are overweight and 25 percent are obese. In addition, about 25 percent of American children are overweight or obese.

Obesity is more than just a cosmetic concern. Being obese poses a lot of health risks on the body. Obese people are prone to common health problems such as constipation, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins. They also tend to develop degenerative diseases such as heart problems, certain cancers, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, strokes, kidney problems, gallstones, liver disease, and so on.

Causes of Obesity

There are a lot of possible causes of obesity. Some of the main causes are:

Unhealthy Diet and Eating Habits: Eating high-fat, high-calorie foods and drinks causes weight gain. As well, skipping breakfast and eating a big meal at night can contribute to weight gain.

Lack of Exercise: Sedentary people do not burn as many calories as active people.

Genetics: Your genes may influence how much fat your body stores and where it is stored. Genetics also makes it more difficult for some people to lose weight than others. However, genes alone do not cause obesity.

Age: People gain weight as they get older, because they tend to be less active and lose muscle mass.

Certain Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids, blood pressure medication, diabetes medications, and tricyclic antidepressants, can lead to weight gain.

Medical Problems: Sometimes, obesity is due to a medical problem, such as Cushing’s disease, or hypothyroidism. Conditions such as osteoarthritis cause people to be less active, which can lead to weight gain.

Psychological Issues: Some people overeat when they are upset or stressed.

Natural Remedies for Weight Loss

The best natural weight loss remedies should be a combination of dietary management, exercise, and the use of some herbs, essential oils, and natural supplements to help burn fat and improve metabolism.

Diet Although there are a lot of weight loss diet plans available, the truth is, there isn’t one specific diet that works for everyone. More importantly, no diet works without the other essential components of weight loss, such as exercise and stress management.

Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products
Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
Be low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugar

Nutritional Supplements for Weight Loss

Below are some nutritional supplements that are commonly used as natural weight loss remedies. Note that these supplements alone, without dietary changes and sufficient exercise, probably cannot have significant effect on weight loss. Talk to your doctor before using these supplements.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
Pyruvate
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
7-KETO DHEA
Chromium

Herbs for Weight Loss

Several herbs have been found to be effective in helping weight loss. They include green tea, plantain, psyllium, cayenne, and bladderwrack.

Essential Oils to Help Weight Loss

Essential oils can be used as natural weight loss remedies in various ways.

Some essential oils, such as bergamot, can blunt hunger pangs. You can just hold a vial of bergamot oil under your nose and inhale.

Some essential oils can help with digestion. If you have had too much to eat (e.g. during Christmas time), here is a good formula to help you digest the foods.

10 drops of Mandarin oil
5 drops of Lemon
3 drops of Coriander
2 drops of Ginger
2 drops of Peppermint

Mix the above oils together and add one to two drops of the oil mixture to a cup. Add a teaspoon of honey and hot water. Stir well and sip the drink slowly. Finally, if you tend to overeat when you feel stressed or down, try to lift your mood by essential oils instead of sugar! Mood-lifting essential oils include lavender, rose, orange, and geranium.

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