This summary comparison will focus on two broad categories. Chemical and Natural.

Chemical based products, which has two sub-categories, prescription only and "over the counter", include:-

Dermal patches which pass chemicals through your skin to change your thyroid activity.

Pills which claim to block your body's absorption of carbohydrates by changing the way you digest them.

Pills which block your body from absorbing fat and oil, allowing it to pass through your digestive system.

Pills which use caffeine to boost your metabolism.

Pills which claim to imitate your brain's signals to make your brain think your stomach is full.

People often turn to chemical based diet products looking for a "quick fix", however as you can see from the summary above, these products interfere in some way or another with your body's natural processes. In addition, by definition, they involve adding chemicals to your body.

We are all individuals and have our own particular metabolism and chemistry, so the effects of these chemical based diet products can be unpredictable. Unpleasant and even dangerous side effects have been reported by many people.

Chemical based diet products do not aim to provide you with any nutritional benefit, in fact they often aim to interrupt your body's absorption of nutrients.

Natural diet products do not require any prescription. They are food. Natural diet products include:-

Green Tea. Green tea's health benefits are undisputed. Hundreds of years of usage have proven the benefits which have now been backed by scientific studies. Green tea adds nutrition to your diet, with high levels of antioxidants, catechins, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. The natural ingredients in green tea promotes thermogenesis and naturally boost your metabolic rate causing you burn calories faster.

Hoodia Gordonii a cactus plant from Africa which is proven to suppress appetite. So you simply eat less.

Acai Berries (euterpe oleraceae) -a dark purple berry from an Amazonian palm tree which is now known as one of the top ten superfoods. Acai berries are proven to be rich in minerals, vitamins, including natural vitamin E, fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, oleic (omega-9) fatty acids, antioxidants (including anthocyanidins), phytosterols and polyphenols. Acai berries, available as a juice product or in convenient capsule form, help you lose weight by detoxifying your system, eliminating built up waste and reducing water retention.

Maqui Berries (aristotelia chilensis) – a new superfood discovery from Patagonia. Maqui (pronounced mah-key) berries are like Acai berries on steroids. They have more than twice the antioxidant ORAC score of Acai berries. ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)is a measure of a foods ability to neutralize damaging free radicals.

Chlorella – is a microscopic dark green algae superfood nutrient source. Is is 60% protein with all 8 essential amino acids, has 23 vitamins and minerals and a special ingredient called Chlorella Growth Factor which supplies RNA and DNA. It's superior nutritional qualities reduce food cravings which can cause over-eating. Additionally, chlorella's fibrous cell wall has the ability to remove heavy metals from your system.

Spirulina – a blue-green algae which is considered to be a whole food. Spirulina provides total nutrition, so like chlorella it nourishes your body so you don't feel the need to eat junk foods or overeat.

This summary comparison clearly shows which group is the most beneficial to your body. The products you select to help you lose weight will be your individual choice. Do your self a favor – choose wisely.

Like hoodia, caralluma fimbriata has been used to suppress appetite, and as a portable food for hunting. It is used to suppress hunger and appetite, and enhance endurance throughout India. It is also sometimes considered a "famine food," used during periods of famine to suppress appetite. For centuries, people in rural areas of India have eaten Caralluma fimbriata, which grows wild over various parts of the country.

Caralluma fimbriata is cooked as a vegetable, used in preserves like chutneys and pickles, or eaten raw.

Caralluma fimbriata is believed to block the activity of several enzymes, which then blocks the formation of fat, forcing fat reserves to be burned. Caralluma fimbriata is also believed to have an effect on the appetite control mechanism of the brain. Ayurvedic (traditional Indian medicine) experts have noted that there are no adverse effects when using Caralluma fimbriata, and the plant has no known toxicity. A patented, tested extract of Caralluma fimbriata has been developed and standardized by a company called Gencor. Known as "Slimaluma," the extract delivers the plant in a concentrated form.

One of the only products available in the U.S. that uses the Slimaluma formula is Country Life's GenaSlim supplement, which combines the patented Slimaluma extract of Caralluma fimbriata with EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) from green tea. Together they reportedly have a synergistic effect on appetite control and weight loss. In several clinical trials Slimaluma was shown to be effective in reducing body fat through appetite control.

If you're interested in trying this product for weight control, you can compare prices now from various online vendors.

Sources

Khan B, et. al. "Hypogylcemic activity of aqueous extract of some indigenous plants." Pak J Pharm Sci., 2005 Jan;18(1):62-4.

Surgical weight loss is not for everyone. It is primarily for those who have attempted to control weight through more traditional means but failed. Patients must, in most cases, have a body mass index, or BMI, of 40 or more. Those with a BMI of 35 or higher, however, may be considered if they have health problems that are exacerbated by being overweight.

There are three common types of weight loss surgery:

* Adjustable gastric band, or Lap Band surgery – Lap Band surgery has become very popular in recent years. It is minimally invasive and completely reversible. A band is placed around the stomach near the top, creating a small section to store food but allowing it to slowly pass into the larger section. The band can be adjusted to control the amount of food that is allowed to pass through. This creates a feeling of fullness after the consumption of smaller amounts of food.

* Duodenal switch – This involves the removal of a large portion of the stomach. The lower part of the small intestine is bypassed, decreasing the absorption of fat, calories and nutrients.

* Gastric bypass – Gastric bypass surgery involves stapling the stomach, creating a smaller pouch into which food enters and a larger pouch that is blocked off. The small intestine is then rerouted to the smaller pouch. This technique allows the patient to feel full after eating less food, while keeping the stomach intact.

After all types of weight loss surgery, it is necessary to follow your doctor's orders carefully. You will probably have to make major adjustments to your eating habits, and you may need to take vitamin supplements. These things are crucial in order to reduce the risk of complications.

Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

Any kind of surgery carries risks, and weight loss surgery is no exception. The worst of these risks are heart attack, blood clots, and leakage at the connection between the stomach and small intestine. All of these conditions could potentially lead to death. Other possible complications include infection, hernia, pneumonia, and ulcers. It is also likely that gallstones will form after surgery, possibly necessitating removal of the gall bladder. Gastric fistula, a condition in which the parts of the stomach reconnect, can also happen after gastric bypass.

Losing weight by surgical means is not for the average person. But for those who are obese, it is sometimes the most effective option. Weight loss surgery should be carefully considered due to the risks and lifestyle changes necessary, but it can produce astounding results. Your doctor can help you determine whether weight loss surgery is right for you.

* For weight loss, drink two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before each meal. This is not a quick fix, but it has been said to cause gradual weight loss with no major changes in diet. Coupled with a sensible diet and exercise routine, however, it could cause somewhat quicker weight loss and help you keep the weight off.

* For a cold or the flu, take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in water several times a day. This will help balance the body's pH, making it a less favorable environment for the germs.

* Apple cider vinegar is great for getting rid of dandruff. Applying it to the scalp and letting it stand for 30 minutes to an hour before washing will kill the fungus that causes dandruff. It also helps soothe an itchy scalp.

* Diabetics can benefit from taking apple cider vinegar in water once a day. This has been proven to help lower blood sugar.

* Apple cider vinegar is often used to relieve sinus problems and ear infections. Depending on your symptoms, you can drink it, add it to a vaporizer, inhale it, or squirt it in your ear with a syringe and let it drain back out.

* Digestive problems and diarrhea can be relieved with an apple cider vinegar tonic. The vinegar soaks up liquid and forms a protective coating in the intestines, and it activates stomach acid and enzymes. It may also relieve the symptoms of acid reflux.

* Apple cider vinegar can soothe a sunburn. You can soak a towel in it at full strength and place it directly on the burn, or you can take a bath in water with one cup of the vinegar added.

* Painful and unsightly varicose veins can benefit from treatment with apple cider vinegar. Apply it full strength twice a day, and drink two teaspoons in water twice a day. It may take a month to see results.

* Apple cider vinegar is good for a sore throat. Gargling with a vinegar and water mixture every hour can help you feel better faster. But it is important to remember not to swallow the mixture once you've gargled with it, because it draws out germs.

* Muscle soreness can be treated with apple cider vinegar. It can be applied full strength with a small amount of cayenne pepper added, or you can soak in a bath with a few cups of vinegar added.

These are just a few of the myriad ways that we can use apple cider vinegar for health. Drinking a vinegar tonic each day can improve our health in a number of ways. We can also apply it topically to rid ourselves of many more aliments. Stocking up on apple cider vinegar will put the remedy for a variety of problems right at your fingertips.

Gary Foster, Ph.D. is a renowned leader in the field of weight management and behavior change. Dr. Foster is a Professor of Medicine and Public Health and Director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia. He has previously served as Clinical Director of the Weight and Eating Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Dr. Foster is a frequent presenter at national and international meetings and has treated overweight patients in individual and group settings for over 20 years.

Begin with meal planning

Life is tempting. Fast-food advertising encourages you to grab and go — often at a good price that could cost you in the long run. If you know what to expect from the outside influences, you can avoid the setbacks that lead to weight gain.

In this section, you'll find resources including meal planning, articles, and information that can help you:fight cravings, survive slip-ups, and control portion size. You can also discover which popular low-fat diets work with the alli™ program. Just view alli-friendly diets. Some diets are not a good fit with alli, because they allow high-fat foods that can cause treatment effects while using alli capsules.

With alli, you need to stick with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. Find out more about the debate on low-fat choices.How many daily fat grams and calories are right for you? Check out the target fat & calories charts.

Four ways to fight cravings

Has this happened to you? You see a chocolate bar in a magazine, so you take a walk to the nearest vending machine. Or you're in a movie theater, and the smell of popcorn drives you to the concession stand. These triggers are hard to handle.

What can you do?

Get moving. Physical activity can boost your mood just like food can — and it uses up calories, rather than adds them Swap foods. If you crave a salty snack, have some salted celery or a lettuce salad with lemon juice and a sprinkling of salt. If you want something sweet, try sugar-free hard candy or a fruit-and-ice smoothie with no-calorie sweetener.

Distract yourself.

If you can do something else for just a few minutes, the craving may pass Drink water. Sometimes thirst disguises itself as hunger. But make sure you're not substituting water for food; you still need nutrients as part of a healthy diet.

Survive the occasional slip-ups

Weight control is not like walking a tightrope — one misstep and you're done. If you slip, don't fall overboard with bad choices. Here are a few tips for recovering:Accept that mistakes happen. Forgive yourself and focus on what to do differently next time Persevere with your goals. Avoid "all-or-nothing" thoughts of giving up Identify triggers.

Try to understand what events or circumstances led to overeating. Anger, stress, loneliness, or the blues are common. Be ready for them Turn your back. When you sense a trigger, change direction. If you're in the kitchen, or near food, go somewhere else. Just walk away Do the math. If you want to be sure you have a low-fat diet, count the grams of fat in your daily food choices and compare them to the number of grams of fat suggested for your calorie level.

For more on daily fat and calorie targets, check out the target fat and calories chartsWatch portion sizeOne of the easiest weight loss strategies is to control portion size. Get to know the amount of food you eat. Often, we get in the habit of eating a certain amount of food to feel satisfied. And if we're served more food, we'll eat more.

Studies have shown that the more food people were given to eat, the more they ate, regardless of their feeling of satiety.If the full plate is important to you, try using a smaller plate. Or keep portion sizes the same, but cut calories by lowering the fat in your dishes and adding more low-calorie ingredients like crunchy vegetables and leafy salads. Pay attention to the "energy density" in foods.

All foods have a specific number of calories within a given amount (volume). Foods such as desserts, candies, and processed foods are high in energy density. A small volume of these foods has a large number of calories. But some foods such as fruits and vegetables have low energy density. So you can have a larger portion size with a fewer number of calories — and that can fill you up without the downside of calorie overload.

10 quick tips for portion control

Leave a portion of what you're served on your plate. Ask for a "to go" container so you can have the leftovers for another meal. Don't be fooled into thinking if you skip the bread, you're free to have a larger portion of steak. Cut back wherever you can. Ask for salad dressing on the side, and use one fewer tablespoon of dressing whenever you have salad.

Make gradual changes in portion size for lasting results. If you want larger portions, add more fruits, vegetables, and beans into your meals. A deck of cards is about the size of 3 ounces of cooked meat. A baseball is about the size of one cup. Use these visual cues when looking at portions. Don't let deprivation lead to a splurge. If you have a smaller entrée portion, fill up the rest of your plate with vegetables and a green salad.

Measure foods at home so when you eat out, you'll know how much pasta or rice you may be eating in a restaurant. Read food labels to get familiar with the calories and nutrients you're getting in each serving. Value meals may be good for the wallet but bad for the waist. You may be better off choosing individual items in smaller portion sizes.

Want to try Alli?

Alli (pronounced AL-eye) is meant for overweight adults who are struggling to shed excess pounds. With its easy access and weight-loss promises, is Alli your answer to losing weight permanently? Here, Donald Hensrud, M.D., a preventive medicine and nutrition specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., answers common questions about Alli.

What is Alli?

Alli is the reduced-strength version of orlistat (Xenical), a prescription drug to treat obesity. It's approved for over-the-counter sale to overweight adults 18 years and older. Alli is meant to be used in conjunction with a low-calorie, low-fat diet and regular exercise.

How does Alli work?

Alli promotes weight loss by decreasing absorption of fat by the intestines, which reduces the number of calories you absorb.Lipase, an enzyme found in the digestive tract, helps break down dietary fat into smaller components, so it can be used or stored for energy. Alli works by disabling lipase, which prevents the enzyme from breaking down the fat while it's in your digestive tract. The undigested fat continues through the intestines and is eliminated through bowel movements.

Alli is taken with fat-containing meals, up to three times a day. Because of how Alli works, it's recommended that you eat no more than 15 grams of fat with each meal. Eating higher amounts of fat can cause unwanted effects, such as urgent bowel movements, diarrhea and gas with oily spotting.

How much weight could I lose using Alli?

Alli can help you lose weight, but the weight loss likely won't be great — perhaps just a few pounds more than you would lose with diet and exercise alone. Only a small number of studies have evaluated the effectiveness of Alli. And many of the weight-loss estimates are based on studies conducted on its prescription-strength counterpart, Xenical.

The average weight loss for prescription-strength Xenical is modest — about 6 pounds greater than diet and exercise alone after one year. So at half the strength, Alli could conceivably result in an average of 3 pounds lost in a year in addition to the approximately 8 pounds you could expect to lose from diet and exercise alone.

When shouldn't I take Alli?

You shouldn't take Alli if you: Are at a healthy weight Are taking cyclosporine Have had an organ transplant Have problems absorbing food The drug also may pose risks for anyone who takes blood-thinning medication or has diabetes or thyroid disease.

Orlistat decreases the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins — for example, vitamins A, D and E. If you're taking Alli, you need to take a daily vitamin supplement (at a time different from when you take Alli) to prevent potential nutrient deficiencies.

How long do I need to take Alli?

According to the manufacturer, most weight loss occurs within the first six months. Many people who take medications to lose weight regain the weight they lost when they stop taking the medication. Therefore, to keep the weight off, many people continue taking medications indefinitely along with eating a low-calorie diet and exercising regularly.

How does Alli fit into a healthy weight-loss plan?

As you consider Alli as a weight-loss aid, make sure that you make every effort to exercise, change your eating habits and adjust any other lifestyle factors that have contributed to your excess weight. Alli isn't the easy answer to weight loss and is meant only to supplement — not replace — a healthy diet and regular exercise.Work with your doctor to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of Alli or any other weight-loss drugs. As a team, you can create the most effective weight-loss plan for you.

More information about Alli here.

The pill works by preventing your body from absorbing some of the fat you eat. And the program includes an individually tailored, online action plan to help you lose weight safely and gradually.What makes alli different?FDA approval makes alli different. And the customized plan was designed for use with alli capsules to give you the support you need to succeed with weight loss.

With your hard work and alli, you can lose about 50% more weight than with just dieting alone. That means if you could lose 10 pounds through dieting, you could lose 15 with alli.So what’s myalliplan™?Losing weight is easier with support. That’s why the alli program includes an individually tailored action plan called myalliplan. When you purchase alli and register online, you’ll get a free customized action plan.

When you check in online, you’ll receive immediate feedback and specific guidance, developed by weight management experts.When you’re not online, you can still partner with alli when you use the portable reference guides inside the alli starter pack. They include the “Read Me First” Guide, Welcome Guide, Companion Guide, Calorie & Fat Counter, Healthy Eating Guide, Daily Journal, and Quick Facts Cards — the tools you need to be successful with alli.

Can I do this?

Absolutely. If you’re willing to challenge yourself, to do things differently, then you can experience weight loss success. But if you aren’t committed to limiting your fat intake and calories as part of the program, then you shouldn’t buy alli.

Buy alli here now!