The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) published these guidelines for weight control on January 24.
Did you know that more than two-thirds of adults and one-third of children in the United States weigh more than they should?
Healthy eating and regular physical activity are the keys to keeping weight under control. But people sometimes ask whether complementary health approaches might give them some extra help. For some mind and body approaches, the answer may be yes. For example, research indicates that yoga and meditation may be useful as complements to other weight-loss interventions.
On the other hand, dietary supplements, such as green tea extracts, Chinese herbs, and bitter orange, have not been shown to be effective for weight loss, and they may have side effects. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found that some weight-loss products sold as dietary supplements are tainted with hidden and potentially harmful substances, such as prescription drug ingredients.
If you're planning to shed some pounds, it's a good idea to talk with your health care provider about developing a weight-loss plan that's safe and effective for you.
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