Yoga has been around for thousands of years, practiced by the people of Northeast Africa (in the case of Kemetic yoga), India, and Asia. It has since traveled around the world as people have embraced both the ancient practice and more modern variations to help people lower stress levels, treat depression, fight disease, and lose weight.

Here are a few ways yoga can aid in weight loss.

1. Muscle Toning

The better muscle tone you have, the straighter you’ll stand, the more athletic you’ll look, and the more calories you will burn even at rest. Yoga helps sculpt and tone by engaging a variety of muscles in static poses and slow and controlled graceful movements.

2. Calorie Burning

In most cases, you have to burn calories to lose weight. And while we burn some calories even while at rest, yoga can be a good burn-boosting workout. Certain moves raise your heart rate more than others. Sun salutations (vinyasas) are known for getting the blood flowing. A step-by-step guide for a vinyasa workout can be found here.

3. Optimized Digestion

What you eat is important when striving towards a weight loss goal, but how your body processes that food is similarly important. Yoga not only create a healthy body overall, sending oxygenated blood throughout the digestive system, it can alleviate issues like irritable bowel syndrome and constipation with some specific poses.

4. Balanced Thyroid Function

Your thyroid controls many hormones related to stress levels, energy levels, and weight retention. Yoga can assist in regulating this hormone-center not only by reducing the stress related to a thyroid imbalance, but also by stimulating proper function through poses like the shoulder stand.

Achieving or maintaining a healthy weight isn’t just about eating the right foods or exercising vigorously a few times a week. It’s these things and more. Yoga can help set the stage for a successful weight loss journey on a variety of fronts.

For more on weight loss, check out thees 7 foods to lose weight.

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From animal research to studies in humans, scientists have consistently demonstrated that there is a link between the consumption of MSG and obesity.

In Spain, researchers found that rats who eat MSG experience an increase in appetite of 40%. This is dramatic. And because the food’s flavors are enhanced, there’s a good chance that humans are eating more of them too.

But more than just tasting good, some scientists have suggested that MSG actually interferes with leptin, responsible for controlling our appetites. One study showed that those people who eat the most MSG also have the most leptin, perhaps creating an environment of leptin resistance, or one where the appetite becomes more or less uncontrollable.

Interestingly, MSG could be causing obesity even without increased food consumption. The link between MSG and weight gain or obesity holds true even when excess calories are accounted for.

In the United States, it’s estimated that the average person consumes about a half a gram of MSG daily, and for many sensitive people, this is enough to trigger a migraine. But, it’s minimal when compared with the amount consumed in some Asian countries. It’s estimated in countries like Japan that MSG consumption is anywhere from 1.5 to 10 grams per day.

Studies in these countries have found a similar link between MSG and obesity. The reason we don’t see Asian countries with obesity rates comparable to ours, scientists surmise, is because they are more active and have a (generally) better diet.

Sicne producers aren’t always transparent with MSG’s inclusion in food products (shocker, I know), it may be tricky to reduce MSG consumption. Check the ingredients for inclusions like: glutamate, glutamic acid, gelatin, calcium caseinate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, whey protein, textured protein, yeast extract, autolyzed yeast, and more. Better yet, to ensure you aren’t getting MSG, don’t eat processed foods at all.

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American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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Feeling Full

When we hurry through our meal, our body has precious little time to release hormones that help make us feel full. Without that feeling of satiety, we are much more likely to overeat. When scientists gave a dish of ice cream to a study group that took 30 minutes to consume the treat and also to a group that took 5 minutes, it was discovered that those that ate quickly released far less of the “feeling full” compound than those who took 30 minutes to eat. This of course leads to the consumption of even more food, or in this case, probably ice cream.

Participants’ hormonal levels and insulin levels were measured before, during, and after eating. With the slower eating group, individuals saw an increase in glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptide YY – two hormones that signal the feeling of fullness.

To add to the relationship between eating speed and weight, another study found that eating more slowly results in 10% fewer calories being consumed.

It appears as though rushing thorough ones meal actually causes weight gain. This fact has tremendous implications on our society where we rarely make time for a relaxed meal. Even taking as little as 30 minutes to enjoy a meal seems to be long enough to allow hormones to kick in and the body to respond, alleviating excessive overeating.

Other Solutions

There truly are countless ways to lose weight, with many of the tips and ‘tricks’ being basics. Eating slowly is just one basic weight-loss tip to utilize. For easy weight loss, you could also:

• Stop drinking soda
• Exercise
• Eat more of these 7 foods for weight loss
• Drink green tea
• Drink more water
• Add more spicy foods to your diet
• Perform multiple body cleanses

Additional Sources:

Webmd

NaturalNews.com/028318

The “munchies” (increase in appetite after smoking marijuana) are very real. Just ask anyone who smokes marijuana on a regular basis. It’s this “benefit” of increased appetite that makes marijuana an effective treatment for people suffering from the lack of appetite so common with cancer, AIDS, and other diseases. So, how could any study find that marijuana smokers are less likely to be obese?

Two surveys were analyzed for the American Journal of Epidemiology study. Each showed that pot smokers were less likely to be obese. But, before you try and track down marijuana for your next weight loss cure, read on.

There are many potential explanations for the findings. Firstly, as Maia Szalavitz with TIME reports, pot-free people could be substituting food for pot as their “unhealthy” habit. Another potential explanation, that some pot smokers are smoking because they are sick. Diseases like cancer and AIDS often result in a lower-than-normal body weight.

Finally, there’s the explanation that Szalavitz fails to consider: that many marijuana smokers don’t use their recreational drug of choice to gorge themselves at every chance. Perhaps marijuana smokers are cognizant of the fact that smoking causes the munchies and so they act accordingly—maybe allowing some extra indulgence while “high” but reverting to a more healthful lifestyle in between “sessions.”

Maybe, and you can call me crazy, but maybe many marijuana smokers are more concerned about their health and maintaining a healthy weight than non-pot-smokers.

These are just possibilities.

These explanations seem especially relevant when one considers that THC is shown to increase appetite; that it’s accepted by some mainstream medical doctors as a solution for weight gain, and that a now-banned substance in Europe once used the exact opposite effects of THC for a diet aid. (Incidentally, this now-banned substance caused severe depression and suicidal thoughts.)

What is likely true is that someone who is obese or who is at risk for obesity and who is not a regular smoker will not find their diet cure-all in a joint. For a non-smoker, marijuana won’t likely help you drop the pounds. Instead, try utilizing vitamin D or including hot peppers into your meals – just 2 of many natural weight loss tips. However, if you are a smoker, rest assured that your marijuana may have yet another benefit.

Additional Sources:

HealthLand.Time.com

The study involved 25 adults at a healthy weight and was conducted over a 6 week period. Using ground up cayenne red pepper – something anyone can purchase at their local super market (as with any food, organic is the best option), the researchers measured capsaicin’s role in weight loss.

They found that red pepper consumption ignited a greater natural energy expenditure, “maximizes the digestive process”, and caused people to feel less hungry overall – particularly for fatty, sweet, and salty foods.

“We found that consuming red pepper can help manage appetite and burn more calories after a meal, especially for individuals who do not consume the spice regularly,” said Professor Richard Mattes. “That burn in your mouth is responsible for that effect…It turns out you get a more robust effect if you include the sensory part because the burn contributes to a rise in body temperature, energy expenditure and appetite control.”

Other Research

Another study revealed that adding capsaicin to the diet actually helps to reduce the effect of consumed dietary fat. All three groups of rats had gained weight. However, the rats who received capsaicin in addition to a high-fat diet, gained 8 percent less than the rats that didn’t receive the capsaicin. As a matter of fact, those receiving capsaicin and given the high-fat diet gained only a little  more weight than the rats on a completely normal diet.

Chili Pepper Origin

Chili peppers are thought to have originated in Mexico around 7,000 BC. The fiery “hotness” of these pretty little peppers comes from capsaicin, which is located on the inside of the fruit. While many people think that it is the seeds that produce the heat in a pepper, the heat actually comes from the glands within the fruit, with the hottest part being the placenta that attaches the seed to the pod.

How to Use Hot Peppers

Although capsaicin is available in capsule form, it seems that consuming the actual pepper is more effective than taking a a capsule. Integrating chili peppers into your everyday meals is not as difficult as it might seem. Try sprinkling hot peppers in meats, soups or even on roasted vegetables. Adding a little bit of capsaicin will not make a dish overly hot for those that are sensitive, but will pack a powerful punch when it comes to boosting health and losing weight.

Additional Sources:

Daily Mail

Student.Biology.Arizona.edu

Omega-3’s and Fat Burn

The human body is made to burn fat efficiently as long as the proper fuel and exercise is provided. Omega 3’s keep metabolic function in check which helps keep the weight down. In addition, these essential fatty acids also keep the liver and white adipose tissue, which are vital for for fat metabolism, healthy. Omega 3’s also quarterback signals from genes to keep the body from storing calories as fat.

The Obesity Epidemic

Obesity seems to be an everlasting problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of American adults and almost 17% of children ages 2-19 years are obese. Sedentary lifestyles combined with an excess of processed food, including mercury-containing high-fructose corn syrup and food additives, make the ever increasing size of the American waistline a very real and threatening danger. Along with obesity comes increasing rates of diabetes as the body can no longer manage insulin efficiently when burdened by so much extra weight.

Of course, a preventative mindset is best when it comes to obesity. A healthy diet, loaded with whole foods including lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a good starting point. Regular exercise, even a simple fifteen minute walk, helps to keep insulin levels in check and the body balanced. Combining a balanced diet, regular exercise and omega 3’s is a great way to stay in shape and prevent disease.

Additional Sources:

CDC.gov

Obese Rats and Melatonin

After analyzing the effects melatonin had on obese, diabetic rats, the researchers found that melatonin was able to help prevent “heart diseases associated to obesity and dyslipidemia”. Without a change in diet, rats who were given melatonin had a reduction in body weight, decreased blood pressure and an improved lipid profile.

With these findings, they are confident that melatonin may help control obesity and improve blood lipid rations in humans while reducing the overall risk of heart disease.

Melatonin Production

Produced in the pineal gland within the brain and responsible for the sleep and wake cycles in the body, melatonin is known as the sleep hormone. This hormone is necessary to promote deep sleep, which our body needs for repair and maintenance. The production of melatonin is controlled is controlled by our bodies, naturally rising in the  evening, remaining high most of the night, and then dropping by morning.

Many factors come into play for the rate and amount of melatonin production; the amount of light, age, and even seasons can make a difference in how much melatonin is produced. During winter, for example, your body may produce melatonin later or earlier during the day. In addition to the lack of vitamin D, this alteration in melatonin production is thought to bring about the “winter blues.” In addition, melatonin production decreases with age.

While the body produces melatonin on its own, there are a few foods that contain melatonin as well. Goji berries, almonds, sunflower seeds, cardamom, and cherries all contain some melatonin, while small amount can be found in grains, meats, fruit, and vegetables. The most reliable source of melatonin, however, is from a high-quality supplement. When taken 30 minutes before bedtime, melatonin can help promote deep sleep, and, according to the above research, help to prevent obesity and heart disease.

What Else Can Melatonin Do?

Melatonin has the ability to boost our immune system, thereby helping us fight off a number of diseases that could potentially wreak havoc on our bodies. Melatonin is also known to have anti-aging properties so we age at a slower rate. There is also a possibility that melatonin enhances the effects of drugs used to fight cancer. Patients who have trouble responding to cancer drugs have shown better progress when taking melatonin supplements.

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MIT

Pubmed/8719600

WebMD

Sleep is vital not

In the study, a clear association was made between an increase in visceral fat (fat around the organs) and lack of sleep for those under the age of 40. What’s more, researches noticed that Hispanic men and black women showed the strongest association between lack of sleep and the increase in abdominal fat.

The same study that found that too little sleep (5 hours or less) was detrimental to health also found that getting over 8 hours of sleep could also cause an increase in visceral fat. Surprisingly, the same findings were not found in participants over age 40.

“We don’t really know yet why this wasn’t seen in participants over 40, but it was clear that, in individuals under 40, it is worse to get five or less hours of sleep on average each night than it is to get eight or more hours,” said Kristen G. Hairston, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor of endocrinology and metabolism and lead author on the study.

Health Implications of Visceral Fat

There is no doubt about it, being overweight puts a serious strain on all body organs, but no one really talks about visceral fat. Visceral obesity results in fatty acids accumulation in the pancreas, heart, liver, and other organs. This prevents proper organ function, causes improper insulin regulation, and even leads to heart attacks. But don’t stress; if you want to know how to lose visceral fat, try these 4 solutions (in addition to sleeping between 6 and 8 hours each night)!

The Right Amount of Sleep

While it is far worse to get less than five hours of sleep rather than more than eight, the magic sleep number of optimal health appears to be between 6 and 8 hours each night – though amount of recommended sleep does vary with age. The good news is that even though a relationship between obesity and sleep has been established, it is one that can be altered. Changing your sleep habits may be not be easy, but it can be done.

Additional Sources:

LiveStrong

Thanks, in part, to the processed natu

Scientists have found that obese women have low levels of a particular hormone called ghrelin. Researchers, reporting in the Endocrine Society state that female mice whose mothers had reduced levels of this hormone had problems with fertility, specifically with implantation. The possible link between a mothers obesity and her daughters infertility has raised concerns over the far reaching impacts of female obesity.

Obesity in women is also responsible for a higher rate of caesarean sections, and abnormal pregnancy outcomes such an increased risk of neonatal mortality and malformations.

Mice Observed

During the study, scientists discovered that the female offspring of obese mothers with reduced ghrelin levels had diminished fertility and much smaller litters than mice born from mothers with normal hormonal levels.

Although more research is needed, scientists feel hat low ghrelin levels could trigger uterus development in female offspring of obese women leading to fertility issues. This is just another reason why overweight women try very hard to be at a normal weight before conception.

More than Infertility: Other Increased Risks for Offspring

Unfortunately, infertility is not the only issue that manifests from a mother being overweight. Other research has also drawn a direct link between obese mothers and autistic babies, finding that overweight pregnant women have a startling 67% higher chance of having an autistic child than those who are not. In the study, the researchers note that the extreme prevalency of obesity in the United States is serious cause for alarm.

What’s more, offspring of overweight mothers have been found to not only be fatter, but to have more fat deposits in the liver.

Do yourself and your future child a favor and shed the weight – it will be well worth it.

Additional Sources:

ScienceDaily

Pubmed/21209347

More Americans than ever a

Most people are now aware that eating too much of the wrong foods, especially when combined with a sedentary lifestyle, can lead to weight problems. Consuming large amounts of processed foods laden with sugar, chemical sweeteners, artery-clogging oils, and refined flour can easily create a state of imbalance in the body leading to obesity. However, the connection between sleep and fat is not so widely known or understood.

Triggering Hunger Hormones

A joint study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that participants who slept longer (8.5 hours each night) lost more fat and less muscle than others sleeping only for 5.5 hours each night. It appears as though it may be well worth it to adapt the farming schedule of early to bed and early to rise if you wish to be as healthy as possible.

In addition, the findings suggest that two hormones related to hunger – ghrelin and leptin – are negatively effected by lack of sleep. More time spent awake leads to increased levels of hunger, which leads to dysregulation in the hunger hormones – creating a perfect environment for obesity.

Too Much Sleep Could Make you Fat

How much sleep do you need, and when should you be sleeping? Not only could a lack of sleep lead to weight gain, but sleeping at the wrong times could also be a factor. A study that was featured in the journal Sleep found that young kids who went to bed late and slept late in the morning were more likely than those who went to bed early and got up early to gain weight. In addition, the children who stayed up late where also less physically active during the day than those that went to bed earlier. It appears as though a consistently early bed time may have something to do with the likelihood of becoming obese – although the reason for weight gain may not be directly related to sleeping itself.

Too Little Sleep Linked to Numerous Health Conditions

Waking up tired? When the body does’t get enough shut-eye, a number of serious health conditions can develop. Among these conditions are diabetes. A small study followed 7 volunteers who slept for 8.5 hours during 4 nights, and a month later slept for 4.5 hours each night. The study indicated, that after four nights of restricted sleep, participants’ stomachs did not respond to insulin well. Insulin is a hormone that is necessary for blood sugar regulation. Improper blood sugar regulation leads to obesity and conditions such as diabetes.

Additional Sources:

ABC News

NaturalNews.com/030115

SpireHealthCare.com