Sorry to be a pain – but I’ve actually set up a new website, with a new name; weight-loss-tips-tastic.com. This will help me move up the search engines!
I’ve put a few really cool new weight loss tips on there already and I’ll be moving everything I’ve already done over there, including the very important energy density charts.

To keep being updated as I add new weight loss tips to the site, you would need to subsribe to the RSS feed at the new site.
Again – sorry to be a pain – but I promise – the wonderful new weight loss tips I have in store will make up for it.

To get to the new site, you can follow the link here; weight-loss-tips-tastic.com. Thanyou!!

The supplement is composed of white kidney bean extract and is called Phase 2.

During the digestive process, your body converts carbohydrates, found in starchy foods such as potatoes and pasta, into sugar, so that it can be absorbed into the blood stream.

Your body does this by breaking-down the carbohydrate molecule with alpha amylase, an enzyme that is produced in the pancreas.

These sugar calories are either burned off, through exercise, or stored as fat cells for future use. Unfortunately, inactivity means that these stored fat cells accumulate. The result is weight gain.

Preliminary research and clinical studies indicate that an extract in from white kidney beans “neutralizes” the digestive enzyme alpha amylase before it can convert starch into glucose, thereby reducing the amount of carbs (and carb calories) absorbed.

Essentially, it allows the carbohydrates to pass through the system with less caloric intake.

Recently, UCLA researchers have found that supplementing the diet with Phase 2, an exclusive, all-natural nutritional ingredient extracted from white kidney beans, in a clinical study, lost body fat, not lean muscle.

It was found that Phase 2 reduced starch absorption by 66%!!

A Success Story

According to a report in ScienceDaily.com; one user of Phase 2; Nora Cosgrove, found that the pill was very effective in helping her overcome her life-long struggle with her weight.

She admitted to probably having been on every diet, but nothing had worked.

But when her doctor said she was on the fast-track to developing type 2 diabetes, she tried Phase 2.

After three months, she lost 30 pounds and six dress sizes! “I’m not tired anymore,” Cosgrove says. “That’s the main thing.”

Personally – It Works For Me

I personally, have found Phase 2 supplements to be very effective; which is why I’m writing about them now.

I really found that if I was having a bad ‘carbohydrate patch’, and had been OD- ing on toast or cereal, that if I then took some Phase 2; I would not have to suffer the after-effects of such naughtiness and that it would prevent the expected fat face and thighs.

In fact, quite honestly, I actually felt slimmer!

I can honestly tell you that the Phase 2 carb blockers really do allow me to get away with my carb blow- outs and really help me keep a good figure.

A good Phase 2 supplement, which I have found to be effective, is the ‘Dietrine’ Carb Blocker Pill.

You can find details on the original clinical and scientific research carried out with Phase 2 at the Dietrine website and the product is available to purchase from this site too.

Double Blind Placebo Controlled Studies to Prove Effectiveness

Proactol’s active ingredients were put to the test in a recent ‘double blind placebo controlled cross over study. The quantity of fat excreted compared to the quantity ingested increased, on average, by 27.4% in the group of volunteers taking Proactol™’s active ingredient, compared to those taking the placebo.

It is also medically backed by the Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC and is;

100% organically made has no known negative side-effects. And is clinically proven to;

• Reduce your daily fat consumption by up to 28%
• Suppress your appetite and food cravings
• Cut your calorie intake by 150 calories per main meal
• Increase joint flexibility and energy levels
• Lower blood cholesterol levels

Numerous Positive Consumer Testimonials on the Proactol Website, with ‘Before and After’ Pictures.

Testimonials can’t always be trusted, but their credibility increases where there are a greater number of original and authentic sounding reviews, combined with ‘Before and After’ pictures. Proactols website offers a superior portfolio of testimonials, in terms of numbers and ‘Before and after’ pictures. It also gives evidence of success stories, which have been reported in the press and which cannot be fabricated. Further evidence of its effectiveness is the fact that it has been voted in the Telegraph, by slimmer’s and dieticians – for the second year running – as being one of the top 5 ways to lose weight and diet.

If you would like to read more about Proactol or purchase the product, to try it for yourself; you can use the link provided to visit the official Proactol website;

Proactol Website

From my own experience; I have found that such methods DON’T WORK and are merely marketing gimmicks, based on half -truths, assumptions or even outright lies and designed by savvy individuals to get hold of your money!

Personal Testimony

I am 34 and over the years, I have tried every weight loss strategy and diet under the sun; Atkins; Low- Fat; The Carbohydrate Addict’s diet; Low GI; The Only Eat Standing on Your Head diet, you name it!

I have exercised for hours daily; with weights, aerobics, high intensity, low intensity etc.

Although I did manage to find a lower weight, I was still a long way off from my weight loss goals. I was getting increasingly frustrated; thinking I would never reach them.

I was also finding myself confused by the many different, conflicting messages being presented as fact by the various authors of different diet books.
My confusion and frustration led me to carrying out my own research into the scientific reality behind the hype.
It seemed that the only way to get to the truth was to look at the original scientific research papers, upon which many of these diets base their theories and draw my own conclusions; taking – not just one part of the story and basing my eating and exercise habits on that, but trying to piece together a ’bigger picture’ theory of weight-loss, which would be more useful and take into consideration all the numerous factors, which influence the real-life scenario ‘usefulness’ of any weight–loss strategy, thereby helping me to make the best dietary choices for optimum weight loss and the best use of my time, for exercising for weight loss.

My intensive research led me to 2 important conclusions:

1) Calories DO matter. If you want to lose weight, you have to consume fewer than you expend.

2) When the body senses that it is losing fat, (whether through diet or exercise) certain bodily mechanisms are enacted, which predispose it to regain the lost weight.

These include;

a drop in resting metabolism, (which reduces the number of calories burned when at rest),

reduced fat burning,

increased storage of calories as fat and, most importantly;

a dramatic increase in appetite.

Appetite and Food Cravings: the Powerful Enemy in your Weight-Loss Battle

Appetite is often over- looked as something which can be conquered; if we are just strong enough or self controlled enough.

However, appetite is a very powerful human instinct designed by the body to ensure survival and it should not be underestimated in its power to literally ‘make’ us eat.

The body makes it so uncomfortable for us when it wants us to eat that few of us, if any, are able to live with that level of discomfort for any length of time and as soon as we start doing what the body wants us to do, i.e. eat and eat more than you were before losing the weight, (because your body wants to regain the lost weight); the weight piles back on, and at an even faster rate due to a depressed metabolism.

This powerful appetite surge is usually experienced as ‘cravings‘ and, similar to the difficulty experienced by drug addicts in overcoming their cravings, people on a diet struggle immensely to live with cravings on a daily basis.

These cravings are, for women, especially, experienced as sugar cravings, sweet cravings and most powerfully – chocolate cravings – hence the term; ‘chocoholic’.

The powerful mechanisms of the body pushing dieters to regain lost weight is evidenced by the statistics of how disastrously unsuccessful diets are in the long term; two-thirds of the people who lose weight on diets gain it all back within one year and after five years; 97 percent of dieters regain their weight-that’s an incredible 97 percent failure rate!

For women, especially, research shows that exercise can be equally unsuccessful.

Regularly exercising male rats tend to lose their appetite and drop weight; female rats get a bigger appetite, eat more and maintain weight!

Limited human research supports those findings.

Will I Ever Be Able To Maintain A Lower Weight?

Although it was a relief to gain clarity on the processes governing my weight; realizing the many forces that the body was enacting to prevent me from maintaining any lost weight made me begin to think I would never be able to keep a lower weight.

Although there are certain dietary strategies which can reduce hunger, suppress appetite more effectively and curb cravings, (sweet cravings, sugar cravings and chocolate cravings); I have not found these to be sufficient to control my hunger and sugar cravings enough to get to my target weight loss goals.

Also, when living ‘on the run’; the lower calorie foods with which to fight cravings are not always readily available, resulting in grabbing those higher calorie foods, such as chocolate, crisps and chips.

However, during my research, I also came across an intriguing natural substance causing excitement amongst weight loss experts.

It interested me particularly as it’s mechanism of action was to combat the main barrier to long -term successful weight loss; the powerful increase in appetite which accompanies it.

Hope!

This all natural substance, causing the stir, is a plant resembling a cactus found in the Kalahari Desert in Africa.

The San tribesmen living within this desert have used it for thousands of years in order to prevent themselves from becoming hungry during long hunting expeditions.

The plant is called Hoodia Gordonii.

The San tribesmen, also say it makes you feel stronger, more energetic, and more focused.

The plant has been chewed for literally thousands of years by various generations of the San, with no ill effects known whatsoever.

Pharmaceutical companies have studied the plant intensively to identify the appetite suppression components of the pure dried Hoodia Gordonii powder.

The effective molecule was identified and named the P57 molecule.

The P57 molecule within Hoodia Gordonii is almost 10,000 times stronger than glucose and works by fooling the body into believing it is full when little or no food has actually been eaten.

During a recent double – blind – placebo – controlled clinical trial in England; volunteers were either given a placebo or an extract of the Hoodia Gordonii plant, and then were told to go about their business. None exercised at all. They watched TV, read books, ate and slept.

After 15 days, the results showed that the group on the Hoodia extract had reduced their caloric intake by 1,000 calories per day, automatically, with no effort whatsoever.

They weren’t even aware of the effect. But they were automatically eating less, and they weren’t exercising at all!

My Own Experience

I decided to try it for myself and the effects became apparent within 2 hours.

On my weekly Sunday trip to a local cafe for breakfast; I would normally either feel jealous while my boyfriend had a full fry- up, while I ate cereal or I would end up succumbing to temptation and having one too, accompanied by a side order of guilt.

On this particular Sunday trip; although happy to eat some scrambled egg; I wasn’t struck by the usual ravenousness and intense jealousy towards my boyfriend’s meal.

This was a totally unique experience for me; generally possessing the appetite of a horse!

For me , it has been  a revelation, especially as the effects came completely side-effect free, with absolutely none of the ‘jitters’ or feelings of nausea, that I have experienced with other diet pills.

Easy Weight Loss – Without the Pain of Sugar Cravings

It truly curbed my sugar and carb cravings, making the whole process of dieting and weight loss so much easier!!

Since finding Hoodia; I have lost 2 stone over a year, with ease, and have kept it off for nearly a year; with absolutely no difficulty, sugar cravings or discomfort.

For me, it has been the holy grail of weight loss, having tried literally EVERTHING else!

How to use Hoodia

To experience the full benefits of Hoodia, however, it is important to know how to use it. Different producers suggest taking different amounts of the product. Hoodia has been sold to tens of thousands of customers, many of whom took between 500 and 6,750mgs of Hoodia daily for 2-24 months, with no side effects and the San Bushmen ate Hoodia in very high amounts.

The company which I recommend suggest taking three capsules a day. This may be sufficient for some, but for many, myself included, I found taking more to be more effective.

Different people require different amounts of Hoodia to have an effect so you should experiment and find the amount and timings which work for you to reduce your appetite to lose weight in a safe and sensible manner.

Also, I really do suggest taking it very first thing in the morning; as far away from breakfast as possible, as I found that this made a big difference to its effectiveness.

This may be because it is not competing for absorption with other foods in the stomach, as happens when you take it later in the day.

Authenticity

There is one last point, which is very important to stress with regard to using Hoodia as a weight- loss tool.

When buying Hoodia, it is very important to be aware that it is difficult to find authentic Hoodia.

It is estimated that more than 80% of Hoodia sold on the internet either contains other parts of the Hoodia plant; which are not effective or other species of Hoodia, which are more easily obtainable but not effective for weight loss.

I have personally bought Hoodia which did not work as it was not the real thing.

Since Hoodia is very rare (the only known place to get the correct species of the plant is in the Kalahari Desert), it is in high demand.

Authentic sellers will have a CITES certificate to prove they have bought the Hoodia from there.

I have found one of the few sellers which have proof of the authenticity of the Hoodia they sell and a guarantee of effectiveness.

This is the Hoodia which I have found to be so effective in helping me reach my weight loss goals.

If you would like to try Hoodia for yourself, I recommend this manufacturer highly. Their brand of Hoodia is named ‘UniqueHoodia’.

You can find consumer testimonials and purchase the product at their official website; UniqueHoodia Website.

Great news – the pure Tamaunu oil product I have been developing is now up and ready to roll.

I have been using it myself for 3 days now and I can see an improvement already!
My skin definitely feels smoother and my open pores have virtually vanished along with the oiliness I usually get.
I’m convinced it also looks more luminous and even a bit tighter.
This is despite my usual skin cream costing 4 times more than this one (I don’t skimp when it comes to looking after my skin!).

The product is 100% pure,certified organic, cold pressed Tamanu oil, with no other ingredients or preservatives added.

It is a 25ml pippete bottle, with attractive labelling.

I really hope you enjoy the benefits of this oil that so many others have reported experiencing. I have high hopes for it!

Your feedback would be really appreciated, to help form a clearer picture of the extent of the powers of this oil for regenerating the skin.

If you would like to contribute to the detective work; you can feedback on the bestbodytalk forum (I will be posting a link on the website in the next few days), or through comments on this blog.

The store can be found at the top right hand corner of the website.

Enjoy your new skin!

Fats do have a mild appetite suppressing effect, (shown in several studies).
However,  it would appear that the appetite reducing benefits are not increased with  increasing  amounts of fat, therefore; only a small amount of additional fat is recommended for  appetite suppressing effects.
For most fats; increasing their content in the diet is not beneficial for weight loss as the negative effects of  their high calorie density is not outweighed by the weight loss benefits of appetite reduction and satiety.
However; there is one type of fat which behaves differently. 
Researchers at McGill University, in Quebec, Canada are now advocating the use of a special type of dietary fat to treat and prevent obesity.
They recommend a fat rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).
The vast majority of fats in our diet are composed of molecules known as long-chain triglycerides (LCT).
As the name implies, LCT are larger in size than MCT. 
Most of the vegetable oils used in cooking and food preparation are composed entirely of LCT. This includes corn, safflower, soybean, canola, and other typical cooking and salad oils.
The only significant natural source of MCT are found in coconut and palm kernel oils.
In a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers reviewed all the published studies to date on MCT and weight management. These studies demonstrated that diets containing MCT result in an increase in energy, a rise in metabolism, increase burning of calories, decrease in food consumption, lower body fat mass, and reduced body weight.
One of the reasons why coconut oil is effective in reducing body fat and lowering weight is that it contains fewer calories than any other fat. However, it’s main advantage in weight management is due primarily to its affect on metabolism.
Medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil are smaller than other fats and, therefore, digest very quickly, so quickly in fact, that the body uses them as an immediate source of fuel rather than pack them away in storage inside our fat cells.
One study evaluated the body weight and fat storage for three different diets- a low-fat diet, a high-fat diet containing LCT and a high-fat diet containing MCT.
Calorie content in the diets were elevated to induce weight gain.
At the end of the study; the MCT group had a 60% reduction in the amount of body fat stored as compared to the other diets!
 The increase in metabolism also leads to a rise in body temperature. People with low thyroid function report that after using coconut oil, their body temperature rises to normal levels and remains elevated for many hours. Coconut oil also appears to be more satisfying than other fats.
For example; in one study women were given a drink which contained either MCT (from coconut oil) or LCT oil.
Thirty minutes later they were offered lunch in which they could choose and eat as much as they wanted.
The women who had the MCT oil before the meal ate less food, and as the authors of the study stated, “significantly decreased caloric intake in the lunch.”

Studies have shown that when oils containing MCT are used in place of other fats in the diet people can lose as much as 36 pounds a year even when total calorie consumption remains the same!

Fat in the diet is important for absorbing certain vitamins and phytonutrients; it has a small effect in appetite reduction and increases the versatility of cooking.
It is therefore recommended that the diet does contain a small amount of fat and if you are concerned about your weight; it would seem that the best choice for added fats in the diet would be coconut oil, due to its increased effects on metabolism, appetite reduction and its lower calorie content.
It also adds a nice subtle flavour to meals.

The Very Worst Type of Fat (Avoid like the Plague)

Trans-fat from processed foods; like biscuits, crackers, and chips may make you fatter than other types of fat like animal fat and fat from olive oil, canola oil.
Trans-fat is found in food made with hydrogenated oil (check nutrition labels at the back of food products).
Monkeys who were fed diets that had 8% trans-fat gained three times more weight than those who were fed a diet without trans-fat but with the same amount of calories!
The same could be true for humans since monkeys and humans metabolize fat the same way.

Zotrim’s claimed main method of action is to help control hunger/appetite by boosting satiety – the feeling of fullness - so you eat smaller portions and snack less.

This would be an incredibly powerful tool in the fight against being over-weight, as it is our hunger and appetite which is our greatest and strongest enemy, when it comes to losing weight. (I discuss the bodies powerful mechanism of increased appetite in response to dieting, in more detail on page 3).

Are there Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Studies to Prove the Product’s Effectiveness?

When reviewing the efficacy of any weight loss product; the most important consideration is the existence of double-blind,  placebo controlled studies, which provide reliable scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the product.
Zotrim is one of the few products we have found on the market at present, whose claims have been  substantiated in this way.

 An Overview of The Science Behind Zotrim
 Zotrim has been independently investigated in five studies.
In summary, the total 223 subjects that took Zotrim over the whole series of studies, lost an average of 0.7kg per each 10-day period.

In the key study (1) 47 overweight subjects took either Zotrim or a placebo for 45 days. Those taking Zotrim lost an average of 5.1kg (11.2lbs) compared to just 0.3kg (0.7lbs) with the placebo.

That would equate to about 8lbs a month at a rate of around 2lbs a week.

In three further studies, average losses were: 
2.3kg over 28 days in 48 subjects wishing to lose weight (4),
1.8kg in weight and 4.3 cm in waistline over 28 days in 56 overweight women (5)
2.3kg in weight and 3.6 cm in waistline over 42 days in 73 overweight healthcare professionals (6)

Initial evidence for an effect of Zotrim was on slowing the rate of stomach emptying.
Using ultrasound studies with subjects who drank 400ml apple juice, the stomach emptied much more slowly (average 58 minutes) after taking one dose of Zotrim compared to those taking a placebo tablet (emptying in 38 minutes).

What this would mean in the real world, is that, if you took Zotrim with a drink with your meal; you would start to feel hungry 20 minutes later, following the meal than if you did not take Zotrim. 

This was supported by a study with 20 subjects, 10 of whom took Zotrim and 10 took a placebo for 20 days (7).
Perception of fullness occurred much sooner when taking Zotrim, the average time to perceived fullness was decreased from 21.5 to 12 minutes.

What this means is that subjects who had taken Zotrim, were full  after 12 minutes of eating, compared to those taking a placebo, who took 21.5 minutes to feel full, resulting in, most probably;  11.5 more minutes of eating time, which could quite easily involve the intake of a substantial amount of extra calories.

 Dietitian Jane Griffin says: “I recently advised a group of ladies who had tried most things but failed to lose weight. They took Zotrim and I am amazed by the results – after just a few weeks most dropped at least a dress size.”

Costs Alot Less for each Pound of Weight Lost than both Alli and Appesat.
Analysis of the published results of each product shows that  Zotrim is a much more cost-effective way to lose weight and provides quicker results.

Studies show an average cost of around £4.50 per pound of weight lost, with no reported negative side effects.  

Alli costs around £37 per pound of weight lost and takes 84 days to lose just 4lbs more than the placebo(2).
This is over eight times more expensive per pound lost than Zotrim .

Appesat costs up to twelve times more than Zotrim in order to lose the same amount of weight. Published results show Appesat costs around £56 per pound of weight lost and takes 84 days to lose 8lbs more than the placebo(3).

After six weeks, trialists taking Appesat lost the same amount of weight as those taking the placebo(3), whereas those taking Zotrim lost 11lbs more than the placebo group in the same time (the equivalent of five bags of sugar!)(1). 

 In the BBC2 TV programme Professor Regan’s Diet Clinic (17 April 2009), Zotrim was the only natural diet pill that she managed to find with double blind placebo controlled clinical evidence of weight loss. 

I have provided a link to Zotrim’s official website; where you can find more information about the product or purchase and try for yourself;

 Zotrim’s Website

I first came to the attention of an intriguing substance being reported as an effective treatment for scars and pigmentation, whilst researching the new product Skinderma Pro.

Skinderma Pro’s website offers very impressive photographic evidence of results on scars, most excitingly, even for the most resistant types of scarring, e.g keloid scars, pitted acne scars and stretchmarks.

I examined the ingredients and the scientific references supporting the effectiveness of the ingredients in the product.

I found that there are a several ingredients in the product, which have been shown in studies to have beneficial effects for aging skin and for scarring.

Two of these ingredients are rosehip seed oil and pomegranate oil. Although these oils  have been shown to be very effective for improving signs of aging in the skin and to have some benefits for scarring; the evidence of consumer review sites and from skin care forums, is that the benefits of these products for scarring are limited.

The unique element in Skinderma Pro; which would account for the outstanding results seen on the Skinderma Pro website, is a relatively unheard of substance, called Tamanu oil.

Having read the scientific reference for this ingredient, given on the Skinderma Pro website and finding it impressive; I decided to see if this could be backed up by consumer’s reports of usage on independent review sites and forums.

There was not a great deal to be found, due to its relative obscurity. However; the feedback that I did find was resoundingly positive.
I was unable to find any negative feedback at all, which as I have already mentioned is quite unusual, especially with regard to keloid and pitted acne scars and pigmentation  treatments.

I would go so far as to say that consumers are ‘raving’ about its effectiveness and speed of action in removing and reducing scars and pigmentation problems which have hither-to proved resistant to all previous forms of treatment, such as;  microdermabrasion, laser treatment, glycolic peels, Mederma, Bio-oil, Elicina, Copper Peptides  etc.

To read what consumers are saying about Tamanu Oil; here are a few links and quotes;

Tamanu User Reviews (on health forum)

Tamanu User Reviews (on a Tamanu Oil product site) 

and;

“I have been a user of the Tamanu oil for the past 5 years. I discovered the product after moving to live in Vanuatu in 2002. The product has excellent skin repair quality and through daily use of the product on pigmentation blotch on my temple this has completely gone and I also treated a small wart on my knee which also disappeared within 3 months. I continue to use the product on the back of my hands which tend to dry out through extended exposure to the harsh Vanuatu sun whilst playing golf.”

Bryan Death, General Manager Moorings Hotel, Vanuatu www.vanuatutourism.wordpress.com

“I am Tamanu Oil’s greatest fan. Having reached the age of 50 (okay, so maybe I’m a little older), I found that I was beginning to have some age spots appear on the back of my hands. I think this was due to spending too much time in a bikini when I was younger. Whatever the reason, I didn’t like it. After using straight Tamanu Oil, I don’t have one single age spot on either hand! I now use Tamanu Oil all the time. It is the greatest skin care secret of all time and but for moving to live in Vanuatu, I wouldn’t even have learnt that such a miraculous natural product existed.”

Pamela Reynolds, CEO PR’s Management Consulting & Financial Services Vanuatu Ph: (678) 58381 or (678) 51405

Anibanani – 06-07-2005 –  07:36 PM (on www.healthboards.com) – listing treatments she has tried;

Okay, let’s get away from the fact that it stinks and isn’t pleasant at all! it’s also quite viscous and yellowy. I can put up with that in miracle products!!

However, i’m hesitant to get all happy happy and proclaim miracles because i have only used it THREE TIMES. but, i’m noticing a difference already! Wow!!!! I’m just praying i don’t have an OCM purge type moment with it being oil.

Along with my many many other red marks, i’ve had an acne mark on my cheek for a year now, which i affectionally call my norway scar. It was a spot which developed on my holiday to norway last March – bang smack in the middle of my cheek – and ruined my holiday. Well, not ruined it, but you girls know what i mean!

Despite being so patient and not squeezing it, as i am apt to do, it still scarred and has been very noticeable being in the middle of my cheek. it’s never gone, albeit it has faded.

Now!!!!!!!!!!! Heck, it’s barely there!!!! I really can’t believe it after only three times! I keep looking in the mirror thinking maybe i’m looking in the wrong place!

My newer, more redder scarring hasn’t shown quite this remarkable improvement but i expect that will take a bit longer. But, I’m really really pleased! I just pray i don’t start breaking out again as i’m just starting to get my last OCM purge until control! Infact, that’s where all the scarring has come from!

So, i think i’ve cracked the best thing for my acne scarring – using tumeric (in either ready made cream or using it DIY style) to fade the spots, together with a good exfoliant once a week to clear the top layer of dead skin then tamanu oil at night. I feel more positive about being able to clear my skin again than i have done for ages! ”

Tamanu Oil Background

Apparently, the indigenous Melanesians and Polynesians have been aware of the regenerative and curative properties of Tamanu Oil for centuries.
The natives regard it as one of nature’s sacred gifts – being  sometimes referred to as the Sacred Oil Of Tamanu or Green Gold! 

Scientific Evidence

 While there have been a number of scientific studies on Tamanu Oil, the research has been limited, due largely to the product not being well known outside Pacific Island countries such as Vanuatu and Tahiti

However, this does not put it behind most of the ‘high tech’ cosmetic ingredients to be found in top brand expensive cosmetic creams, which rarely have scientific studies to support their claims.

 BioScience Laboratories conducted a study of Tamanu oil’s ability to improve the appearance of scars.
Six subjects with obvious scars aged for one year or more participated in the test. Subjects were not allowed to use moisturizers on their scarred areas for seven days before the test or throughout the nine-week test period.
Scars were rated for roughness, length, width and degree of difference from surrounding normal skin. Measurements of darkness and redness were also taken for scarred and surrounding normal skin. Digital photos of scars were taken prior to initial application and at the end of week nine.

Tamanu oil was applied to the scarred area twice daily for nine consecutive weeks.
There was significant improvement in appearance of scars after six weeks, and improvement continued through week nine.
Scar length was reduced by an average 0.28 centimeters, and width was reduced by an average 0.12 centimeters.

Source: Dweck, A.C.: Calophyllum inophyllum – Tamanu oil the African, Asian, Polynesian and Pacific Panacea. International Journal of Cosmetic Science 24, 6, 1-8 (2002).

 This study only lasted 9 weeks, only a couple of months, and these results are quite a significant improvement, when you compare it to the agonisingly slow progress often experienced with other scar treatments.  

 Healing benefits of Tamanu Oil

 Scientific studies show that Tamanu Oil is a significant healing agent because of its ability to produce new skin tissue and because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, antibiotic and antioxidant properties.

While Tamanu Oil can be used effectively to treat a range of infections including ring worm, athlete’s foot, itching and dermaphytosis of the scalp or beard (due to the presence of Friedelin) and infected wounds and burns (due to the anti-bacterial presence of Canophyllol and the antibiotic presence of lactone), it is its cicatrizing capacity that sets it apart.
Cicatrization is the process involved in the formation of new tissue.
Consequently, Tamanu Oil is amazingly effective for the treatment of everything from;

acne
acne scars
scarring generally
stretch marks
diabetic sores
psoriasis
sunburn
blisters
abrasions
burns
cuts
eczema
herpes sores,
insect bites and stings,
fissures,
dry or scaly skin and
MOST IMPORTANTLY – the reduction or COMPLETE REMOVAL of unsightly age spots and hyperpigmentation.

The natural anti-inflammatory qualities of the oil also produce significant pain-relieving properties – this is especially so when it comes to conditions such as neuralgia, sciatica, shingles and rheumatism.

It is this anti-inflammatory quality that is primarily responsible for the reduction of general swelling, rashes, sores, and abrasions.

The combination of the oil’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities can be particularly beneficial in the case of pulled muscles, ligament damage and sprains.

 Tamanu Oil can be applied to the surface of the skin to promote healthy, blemish-free skin. Many Ni Vanuatu women apply use it on babies to prevent nappy rash.

 It may be applied to treat a variety of skin irritations, including those caused by warts, allergies or skin ulcers.

Some of the other skin care benefits of this tropical first aid remedy include the treatment of dermatitis, chemical burns, skin grafts, post surgical wounds, vaginitis, chilblains

The Cancer Chemopreventative Agents

 In a search for anti-tumor-promoting agents, a Japanese study found that one of the components of tamanu oil exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on mouse skin tumor promotion.
Source: Cancer Letters, Volume 169, Issue 1, Pages 15-19 M. Itoigawa

 While these tests were conducted on rats, the scientific findings strongly suggest that Tamanu Oil could well operate as an anti-cancer promoter in humans as well.

Anti-Aging Qualities Of Tamanu Oil

 Given Tamanu Oil’s unique ability to promote the growth of new, healthy skin tissue, the benefits of using natural Tamanu Oil-based products are obvious.

Although I was unable to find any scientific studies on the effects of Tamanu oil for aging skin; I would guess that it will prove as effective, if not more so, than most of the cosmetic ingredients being used in the ‘high tech’ cosmetic offerings currently to be found in the market place.

Wrinkles are caused by changes in the lower layer of the skin, the dermis, which result in reduced production and repair of damaged skin components (elastin, collagen and Hyalonuric acid).
 However, according to Leslie Baumann, a world-renowned dermatologist; most skin care ingredients can’t penetrate that far into the dermis to affect wrinkles.

Baumann asserts that there are only a limited number of cosmetic ingredients which have been proven to be able to penetrate all three skin layers and therefore stimulate the regeneration of new skin tissue.
She cites vitamin C, copper peptides and retinoids as having this unique ability.

 Most cosmetic ingredients temporarily mask the wrinkle by temporarily ‘plumping’ the skin, rather then ‘treating’ the cause of the wrinkle at the dermis level.

However, Tamanu oil has also been proven to have this unique ability to penetrate all three layers of the skin ; thus putting it in this exclusive category of effective skin tissue regenerating  ingredients.

The superior scar treating effects reported by users may indicate that its regenerating  abilities are superior even to those substances cited by Baumann and Tamanu Oil may therefore be similarly superior in its anti-aging abilities.

Unfortunately, due to its newness to the market; a lack of reports, reviews and studies means that there is little evidence to really compare it to other products for its anti-aging abilities at present, apart from to say that the anecdotal evidence is stronger for its success with age spots and pigmentation than the anecdotal evidence of most treatments that I have read.

 In order to gain greater clarity on the extent of the strengths and limitations of Tamanu oil; I invite users to leave their reviews, feedback and progress with use of the product with regard to its anti-aging and scar reducing benefits on the BBT forum.

You are also invited to leave overall ratings of the product; though this is best given after several months of use, to get a more complete picture of its effects.

How Tamanu Oil is Produced

The Tamanu tree only bears fruit once a year and the fruit itself is inedible. However, inside the fruit is a pale-coloured nut kernel. When this nut kernel is dried (which takes 1-2 months), it turns a deep, chocolate brown and releases a sticky, rich oil.

The oil is then extracted by cold-pressing and filtration. It takes an awful lot of nuts to produce a small quantity of oil – in fact, it takes around four trees to produce approximately 20 Liters of “pure” Tamanu Oil, depending on the size and yield of the trees!

How to Use Tamanu Oil

Tamanu Oil should be applied topically. That is to say, it should be applied directly to the surface area of the affected skin, not ingested.

Once applied, massage in. The oil will absorb readily into the skin, without leaving any oily residue.

The real trick to using Tamanu Oil, especially when it comes to removing age spots, is to only use 100% pure Tamanu Oil.

While it can safely be mixed with other oils such as Olive Oil, all this really achieves is a higher profit margin for the seller or manufacturer and a less effective treatment for the consumer.

The other trick to achieving effective and rapid results is the frequency with which you apply the oil.

Initially, it’s a good idea to apply the oil 4, 5 or more times a day and then cut back as the problem begins to heal.

If you are applying the oil to a large area then the frequency should be 2-3 times a day. It can have a drying effect on the skin when applied to a large area. If the area does start to become “scaly”, don’t be alarmed – it means the oil is doing its job. Ease off on the application or even stop for a few days.
Apply some pure 100% Virgin Coconut Oil to ease the drying effect and then re-commence the application of Tamanu Oil, if necessary.

Availability
Having perused the literature and read the positive responses from Tamanu oil users given on independent review and forum sites; I feel confident that this is indeed a very exciting breakthrough ingredient for the treatment of scars and pigmentation problems and could well be the best treatment for scars to be found at present.

However, due to its obscurity; I found that there are very few sellers of 100% pure Tamanu oil. In the UK, I could not find any!

There are a few sellers in the USA, but buying from these companies (if you live in the UK and Europe) involves high shipping costs and the painfully long wait for delivery, which can sometimes involve even further delays and costs with customs. 

Many of the products containing Tamanu oil are also diluted with other, less effective oils and are also vastly over-priced (this is the case with the Skinderma Pro product). 

As a result of the dearth of options with regard to Tamanu Oil products available; the evidence pointing to its unique and superior effectiveness for scar and skin healing and requiring an affordable, attractively packaged and conveniently available product for my own usage; I have ventured into the world of product development and developed a  Tamanu Oil product, available for purchase in and from the UK.

It retails at a fraction of the cost  of the Skinderma Pro product and it contains only 100% pure, undiluted Tamanu oil, to ensure maximum strength, effectiveness and speed of action.

The product is now available to buy from the Bestbodytalk store .

Enjoy your new skin!

I am 33 and over the years, I have tried every weight loss strategy and diet under the sun; Atkins, low- fat, The Carbohydrate Addict’s diet, low GI, the ‘eat every 3 hours diet – and standing on you head’ diet – you name it.
I have exercised for hours daily; with weights, aerobics, high intensity, low intensity etc.

Personal Testimony

Although I did manage to find a lower weight, I was still a long way off from my weight- loss goals. I was getting increasingly frustrated; thinking I would never reach them.

I was also finding myself confused by the many different, conflicting messages being presented as fact by the various authors of different diet books.
My confusion and frustration led me to carrying out my own research into the scientific reality behind the hype.
I felt that the only way to get to the truth was to look at the original research papers, upon which many of these diets base their theories and draw my own conclusions.
 My intensive research led me to 2 important conclusions or -
Depressing facts:

1) Calories DO matter. If you want to lose weight, you have to consume fewer than you expend.

 2) When the body senses that it is losing fat, (whether through diet or exercise) certain bodily mechanisms are enacted, which predispose it to regain the lost weight.

These include a drop in resting metabolism, (which reduces the number of calories burned when at rest); reduced fat burning; increased storage of calories as fat and, most importantly; a dramatic increase in appetite.

Appetite:  The Powerful Enemy in your Weight Loss Battle
Appetite is often over- looked as something which can be conquered; if we are just strong enough or self controlled enough. However, appetite is a very powerful human instinct designed by the body to ensure human survival and it should not be underestimated in its power to literally ‘make’ us eat.

The body makes it so uncomfortable for us when it wants us to eat that few of us, if any, are able to live with that level of discomfort for any length of time and as soon as we start doing what the body wants us to do, i.e. eat and eat more than you were before losing the weight, (because your body wants to regain the lost weight); the weight piles back on, and at an even faster rate due to a depressed metabolism.

The powerful mechanisms of the body pushing dieters to regain lost weight is evidenced by the statistics of how disastrously unsuccessful diets are in the long term; two-thirds of the people who lose weight on diets gain it all back within one year and after five years; 97 percent  of dieters regain their weight-that’s an incredible 97 percent failure rate!

For women, especially, research shows that exercise can be equally unsuccessful.
Regularly exercising male rats tend to lose their appetite and drop weight; female rats get a bigger appetite, eat more and maintain weight. Limited human research supports those findings.

Although it was a relief to gain clarity on the processes governing my weight: realizing the many forces that the body was enacting to prevent me from maintaining any lost weight made me begin to think I would never reach my goals.
Although there are certain dietary strategies which can reduce hunger; they still do not come close to the level of appetite suppression required for most people to reach their weight loss goals.

However, during my research, I also came across an intriguing  natural substance causing excitement amongst weight loss experts. It interested me particularly as it’s mechanism of action was to combat the main barrier to succesful weight loss; the powerful increase in appetite which accompanies it.

Hope!

The plant is called Hoodia Gordonii.
The San tribesmen, also say it makes you feel stronger, more energetic, and more focused.
It has been chewed for literally thousands of years by various generations of the San, with no ill effects known whatsoever.
Pharmaceutical companies have studied it intensively to identify the appetite suppression components of the pure dried Hoodia Gordonii powder.
The effective molecule was identified and named the P57 molecule.

The P57 molecule within Hoodia Gordonii is almost 10,000 times stronger than glucose and works by fooling the body into believing it is full when little or no food has actually been eaten. 

During a recent double blind placebo controlled clinical trial in England; volunteers were either given a placebo or an extract of the Hoodia Gordonii plant, and then were told to go about their business. None exercised at all. They watched TV, read books, ate and slept.

After 15 days, the results showed that the group on the Hoodia extract had reduced their caloric intake by 1,000 calories per day, automatically, with no effort whatsoever.
They weren’t even aware of the effect. But they were automatically eating less, and they weren’t exercising at all! 

My Own Experience
I decided to try it for myself and the effects became apparent within 2 hours. 
On my weekly Sunday trip to a local cafe for breakfast; I would normally either feel jealous while my boyfriend had a full fry- up, while I ate cereal or I would end up succumbing to temptation and having one too, accompanied by a side order of guilt.
On this particular Sunday trip; although happy to eat some scrambled egg; I wasn’t struck by the usual ravenousness and intense jealousy towards my boyfriend’s meal. This was a totally unique experience for me; generally possessing the appetite of a horse!

For me , it was a revelation, especially as the effects came completely side-effect free, with  absolutely none of the  ’jitters’ or feelings of nausea, that I have experienced with other diet pills.

Since finding Hoodia; I have lost 2 stone over a year, with ease, and have kept it off for nearly a year; with absolutely no difficulty, cravings or discomfort.
 For me, it has been the holy grail of weight loss, having tried literally EVERTHING else!

How to use Hoodia
To experience the full benefits of Hoodia, however, it is important to know how to use it. Different producers suggest taking different amounts of the product. Hoodia has been sold to tens of thousands of customers, many of whom took between 500 and 6,750mgs of Hoodia daily for 2-24 months, with no side effects and the San Bushmen ate Hoodia in very high amounts.

The company which I recommend suggest taking three capsules a day. This may be sufficient for some, but for many, myself included, I found taking more to be more effective. Different people require different amounts of Hoodia to have an effect so you should experiment and find the amount and timings which work for you to reduce your appetite to lose weight in a safe and sensible manner.

Also, I really do suggest taking it very first thing in the morning;  as far away from breakfast as possible, as I found that this made a big difference to its effectiveness. This may be because it is not competing for absorption with other foods in the stomach, as happens when you take it later in the day.   

Authenticity
There is one last issue, which is very important to stress with regard to using Hoodia as a weight loss tool: when buying Hoodia, it is very important to be aware that it is difficult to find authentic Hoodia.

It is estimated that more than 80% of Hoodia sold is ineffective as it is not the ‘real thing’; either containing  other parts of the Hoodia plant, which are not effective; other species of Hoodia, which are more easily obtainable but ineffective or even plant materials which have nothing to do with Hoodia and are merely fakes. 

I have personally bought Hoodia which did not work as it was not the real thing.

Since Hoodia is very rare (the only known place to get the correct species of the plant is in the Kalahari Desert), it is in high demand.
Authentic sellers will have a CITES certificate to prove they have bought the Hoodia from there.

I have found one of the only UK sellers which have proof of the authenticity of the Hoodia they sell and a guarantee of effectiveness. 
This is the Hoodia which I have found to be so effective in helping me reach my weight loss goals.

If you would like to try Uniquehoodia for yourself or take a look at their consumer testimonials;  I have provided a link to their website;

Uniquehoodia Website

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/sugar-cravings-sweet-cravings-how-to-curb-cravings.html

Having reviewed the scientific literature,  consumer testimonials and reviews given on independent weight- loss forum sites; I argue that there are far more effective  weight loss aids than alli;  that are effective without side-effects and will give you much greater weight loss llbs for £, than alli.

Does Alli Work?

Double Blind Placebo Controlled Tested?

When reviewing and comparing the effectiveness of the vast number of diet pills and aids on the market; my first criteria in judging whether the reports of effectiveness can be trusted is whether the pill has been double-blind placebo control tested.

If a study does not include a placebo; the results cannot be trusted, as it has been shown that the placebo effect can have quite a significant effect on weight loss by itself.

Alli satisfies this first criteria in that it has been shown in placebo-controlled studies to increase weight loss.
Alli was tested on a group of mildly to moderately overweight people as part of a diet and exercise plan.
Those taking Alli lost an average of 10 1/2 pounds over the 16 weeks of the study, as opposed to an average of little less than 7 pounds for the placebo group.

The advertising literature says that you can lose 50% more with Alli than you would by diet alone — they get this figure from that research. But remember that that number is an average, and the study only lasted 16 weeks.

What Is Alli?
The Alli diet pill (pronounced AL-lye) is an over-the-counter version of a medication called Orlistat or Xenical, previously available only by prescription. It is the first over-the-counter weight-loss medication to be approved by the FDA. It costs about $1.50 to $2 per day (3 pills per day).

How Does Alli Work?
Alli blocks part of the fat in the food eaten in a meal. That fat is eliminated in the feces instead of being absorbed to be used by the body. The literature says it blocks about 25% of the fat eaten in a meal.

What Are Some of the Problems With  Alli ?

“Treatment Effects” – Note that these are not called “side effects,” because they are more or less the intended effects of taking Alli.
 Basically, if you eat too much fat at a meal, you will be pretty uncomfortable. The exact amount of fat that will trigger these effects varies per person, but it is recommended to eat no more than 15 grams of fat per meal. Treatment effects include:

gas with oily spotting (it is advised not to “pass gas” unless you are on the toilet)
loose stools
more frequent stools that may be hard to control (”Until you have a sense of any treatment effects, it’s probably a smart idea to wear dark pants, and bring a change of clothes with you to work.”)
alli user’s share cautionary tales
Those who have strayed from the ‘15g of fat per meal’ rule offer cautionary tales on the drug company’s Web site.

“(I)’ve pooped my pants 3 times today, and sorry to get descriptive but it even leaked onto the couch at one point!” writes one user.

“(Y)a know how when you start moving around in the morning ya pass a little gas. Well, I did and then went into the bathroom and to my horror I had an orange river of grease running down my leg.”

“I’m thinking that infant diapers might be a cheaper way to go, just use them as a large pad.”

Side-Effects?

The US Food and Drug Administration has received more than 30 reports linking the drug to serious liver injury.

Alli may Not Provide Adequate Dietary Fat Levels for Absorbing Important Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Nutrients

Combining a low fat diet, which you must do with alli – to prevent ‘treatment effects’, with a fat binder will lead to quite low levels of fat in the diet.
However, many vitamins are fat soluble and can be flushed out along with the fat.
Also, many phytonutrients, which offer antioxidant, anti- viral, anti- bacterial, anti- inflammatory and cell reparative benefits, also need fat to be absorbed, so people taking alli may be getting less of these valuable substances as well.

Alli does Not Help  Control Appetite (The  Most Important Factor for Long Term Successful Weight Loss)

Alli’s main value is as a motivation tool; motivating users to avoid fat in foods, through the fear of public ‘pooping’.
However, alli does nothing to help reduce the appetite and it is this factor which is responsible for the failure of most diets or weight loss plans.
The difficulty and unpleasantness of ‘fighting the appetite’ makes any eating plan which doesn’t deal with the natural appetite unsustainable for the vast majority in the long term.
This would lead to abandonment of the plan, an uncomfortable and miserable existance, or a rather embarrassing situation, if the user perseveres with taking the alli supplements and is unable to over come their food cravings (which users testify is common experience)(see page 2).

The important fact is that there  are far easier ways to prevent you from reaching for the biscuit tin.
If you can reduce the appetite, there are no cravings or ‘urges’ to fight; taking the pain out of the experience and increasing your chances of adherence and success vastly.

Alli Can’t Prevent you Snacking on High carbohydrate Snacks (Which can be Just as Calorific)

Importantly; alli can’t stop you replacing high fat snacks with high carbohydrate snacks, which can be just as calorific, and although these may be marginally more satiating than high fat foods; resulting in very slightly less overall intake of food; it is more than easy to replace all the calories you might otherwise have consumed in fat with calories from high carbohydrate snacks. 
And if the appetite is not dealt with, it will drive you to seek out food to satisfy it and, whether the food is high fat or high carb; if the overall intake of calories is higher than the amount you expend; you will not lose weight.

If fat in your meals is causing weight gain; I would argue that, considering the cost of alli (a 20-day supply of Alli costs about $45 to $55); it would be far more prudent to find ways to reduce fat in meals; by learning simple tricks in food preparation, which can reduce the fat content without affecting taste; such as having oven chips instead of fried, or using strong cheese instead of lots of medium strength cheese etc.

Having studied the scientific literature extensively and from my own experience; I believe that the most effective and sustainable strategy we can take to reduce our intake of calories and therefore lose weight, is to reduce our appetite.

Our food choices are the most effective tool that we have at our disposal for helping to satsify the appetite with the  minimum of calories.
However, we do not always have the means or the time to make correct food choices; we might be grabbing food ‘on the run’.
We may also find that, even with the  best of food choices; that our appetites are still too high and that we are still eating more than we would like to achieve our weight loss goals.
In these instances; I believe that there is a place in a weight control strategy for the use of supplements

Appetite Control (Suppressing) Supplements

My two highest recommendations for safe and natural supplements to control the appetite are  Uniquehoodia and Zotrim.
You can read my reviews of these supplements on pages 4; Uniquehoodia Review and 5; Zotrim Review.

Damage Limitation Supplements

However, even when you have taken every step to get the appetite in check;  there will still be occasions where you are faced with eating highly calorific foods; such as when eating out or at special occasions; or where there is a lack of any lower calorie options, when you grab ‘food on the run’, or when you may simply feel like an indulgence and a treat. Why not?!

In these instances; I would recommend fat binders as a damage limitation tool.

The trouble with alli is that, although it is a fat binder; it is not useful as a damage limitation tool as we would then have to suffer the ‘treatment effects’.

The question is; are there alternative fat binders, which could prove as effective at binding fat but without the side effects?

Fat Binder Alternatives

The most convincing alternative I have found is a supplement called Proactol and as far as I can see, the choice between alli and proactol is a no-brainer.
It offers exactly the same fat binding benefits, at a lower price and with none of the side effects, as well as additional appetite suppressing properties.

Proactol -Superior Fat Binding  Alternative

Proactol is a completely natural supplement made of the cactus Optunia ficus-indica.

The first question I had to ask, though, in evaluating this product was; are there double blind placebo controlled studies to prove its effectiveness.
I was pleased to discover that there are.

Double Blind Placebo Controlled Studies to Prove Effectiveness

Proactol’s active ingredients were put to the test in a recent ‘double blind placebo controlled cross over study.
The quantity of fat excreted compared to the quantity ingested increased, on average, by 27.4% in the group of volunteers taking Proactol™’s active ingredient, compared to those taking the placebo.

It is also Medically backed by the Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC and is;

100% organically made
Has no known negative side-effects.
And is clinically proven to;

Reduce your daily fat consumption by up to 28%
Suppress your appetite and food cravings
Cut your calorie intake by 150 calories per main meal
Increase joint flexibility and energy levels
Lower blood cholesterol levels

Numerous Positive Consumer Testimonials on the Proactol Website, with ‘Before and After’ Pictures.

Testimonials can’t always be trusted, but their credibility increases where there are a greater number of original and authentic sounding reviews, combined with ‘Before and After’ pictures.
Proactols website offers a superior portfolio of testimonials, in terms of numbers and ‘Before and After’ pictures.
It also gives evidence of success stories, which have been reported in the press and which cannot be fabricated.
Further evidence of its effectiveness is the fact that it has been voted in the Telegraph, by slimmers and dietitians – for the second year running – as being one of the top 5 ways to lose weight and diet.

If you would like to read more about Proactol; you can use the link provided to visit the official Proactol website;

Proactol Website