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Monday, July 2, 2012

What is Zotrim and how can it help me lose weight?


As a dietitian you are constantly bombarded with the latest and greatest weight loss supplements and programs, and after more than ten years working in this field my response is generally lackluster to say the least. But I have to admit that late last year when Body Science presented me with the scientific evidence to support the herbal weight loss supplement Zotrim, I had to take it a little more seriously.

 Zotrim has been available in the UK for a few years now, and is a mix of three natural herbal extracts; Yerba Mate, Damiana and Guarana. The mix has been proven to help delay gastric emptying which appears to help keep users feel full and eat fewer calories as a result. Such a response appears to enhance weight loss attempts. For example, if you would usually get ½-1 kg off using a standard calorie controlled diet, in my experience Zotrim helps you to get 2 or 3kg. Users describe a constant feeling of fullness without the nasty stimulatory side effects of caffeine based supplements, and no other side effects.

As a nutritionist, my professional tendency is to always achieve sustainable weight loss results using what I know, and what is proven to work long term – calorie monitoring, high intensity exercise as well as regular movement. In the past I have generally not recommended weight loss supplements as there are none that I know are safe and /or proven to work. In the case of Zotrim, there is evidence to show that it can support weight loss. It does not change what you need to eat to lose weight, nor does it mean you do not have to exercise; it simply helps to control appetite and as a result caloric intake.

So is it for you? There are a few clients that I would support in using Zotrim. For anyone who battles with constant hunger and sugar cravings, using Zotrim in conjunction with a protein rich diet should help manage appetite. It should also be said here that if you need to lose more than 20-30kg, it may also be a good idea to have your insulin levels checked with your GP to ensure that an underlying insulin resistance is not acting to prevent weight loss. For those wanting to lose a little less, say 10-20kg, using Zotrim is likely to help you achieve better weight loss results initially, especially if you use it as part of a diet and exercise plan. If you can lose 2-3kg or even 5kg over a month using the supplement, chances are you are more likely to keep motivated compared to losing just 1-2kg with diet and exercise alone? Finally for those who simply want to lose a kg or two but struggle with portion control, Zotrim too may off you support with appetite, portion size and calorie control.

I have trialed Zotrim with a number of my clients with positive results. If you are looking for something to support your weight loss attempts, it may be worth trying Zotrim to see if you think it helps your attempts. And most importantly, make sure you let us know how you go.