Information
About St. John's Wort
Dietary Supplements
What is St. John's Wort?
St. John’s Wort is a sought-after,
slightly controversial herb, used in a variety of herbal dietary supplements
including weight loss pills. Native to many parts of the world, St. John's
Wort has been used as an herbal remedy since the Middle Ages.
How Does St. John's Wort Help Weight Loss
St. John's Wort is believed to increase
serotonin levels in the brain, thus improving mood and possibly curbing
the tendency to over-eat when depressed. There is some evidence from obesity
and weight loss studies indicating that low levels of serotonin can trigger
patterns or episodes of over-eating and bingeing. St. John's Wort helps
to protect against this.
Does St. John's Wort Have Side Effects?
Yes. St. John's Wort has been known to
cause increased eye and skin sensitivity to sunlight, mild gastrointestinal
distress, dizziness, and itching. In parts of the EU, St. John's Wort
has been removed from the list of over-the-counter herbal remedies. In
any event, prolonged use is not recommended except under doctor's instructions.
Sample Price
St. John's Wort (60 tablets) - $20.00
St. John's Wort and Weight Loss - Your
Choice
We are not aware of any clinical weight
loss studies which clearly prove the effectiveness of St. John's Wort
based dietary supplements for weight control, but if any such studies
come to light, we will be delighted to publish them. Meantime, if you
have tried and failed to lose weight with conventional weight loss diets,
you may care to give St. John's Wort a try. However, for best weight loss
results, remember to combine your use of St. John's Wort with a healthy
diet and exercise program. Weight loss pills and dietary supplements are
not yet a substitute for a healthy lifestyle.
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