BLACK COHASH AND WEIGHT LOSS
Nitin Chhoda
As a personal trainer, I get asked many questions about weight loss. It's no secret that we look for the fastest and safest way to get results. Recently, more and more individuals have started asking me about 'black cohash', accurately spelt as ''black cohosh'. This herb has been known for centuries as a powerful natural medicine. The word 'black' is derived from the colour of the root, and 'cohosh' means 'rough'. The root contains a rich and powerful array of natural chemicals, some as effective as the most modern pharmaceuticals.
If you are trying to lose weight, you need all the help you can get. Now, if you are trying to lose weight AND you are prementrual, menopausal and suffering from hot flashes, then you need all the help you can get.. and a lot more! I know many clients who binge on chocolates during PMS. The best weight loss plans can go haywire for many women due to hormonal changes.
As a woman, you need more than just willpower, you need a natural herb that can help overcome the symptoms associated with menopause. There is where black cohash and weight loss come together.
Black cohash is especially beneficial for women as it has been known to reduce menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes. Some claim that it helps ease menstrual pain and other difficulties, such as premenstrual syndrome. It also works as an anti-inflammatory and relieves muscle pain. Since it helps relieve muscle spasms, it can alleviate menstrual cramps by increasing blood flow to the uterus and reducing the intensity of uterine contractions. Hence it is useful during labor and after childbirth. It has also been shown to act as a mild sedative. Owing to its anti-inflammatory capabilities, it is useful in treating nerve-related pain such as sciatica or neuralgia.Generally available in capsule / tablet form, it has also been distributed as a dried herb and in tea.
As you are reading this, please do not rush to the local herb store and buy black cohosh. There are caveats:- this herb may interfere with hormonal medications (birth control pills or estrogen). Please consult with your doctor before you consider it. This means you must never use black cohosh while pregnant or breast-feeding. You also want to be careful if you have high blood pressure. If you are on a hypertension medication; black cohosh may intensify the drug's blood pressure-lowering effect. Also, it may cause excessive drowsiness when used with sedatives or tranquilizers.Though it has virtually no toxic effects, black cohosh may cause stomach upset in certain people. One study suggested that it may induce slight weight gain and dizziness in some women. It may also lower blood pressure. A very high dose can cause nausea, vomiting, reduced pulse rate, heavy perspiration, and headache.
Having said that, black cohash and weight loss are connected. Assuming your doctor allows its use, it can help women who are on a weight loss regimen stick to their program more efficiently.
It's use is starting to increase gradually. In Europe and increasingly in the United States, black cohosh is a popular remedy for hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and other menopausal symptoms. As mentioned previously, this herb affects hormonal levels. Specifically, it can reduce levels of LH (luteinizing hormone), which is produced by the brain's pituitary gland. The rise in LH that occurs during menopause is thought to be one cause of hot flashes.
The story becomes even more interesting. Black cohosh contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that have an effect similar to that of estrogen produced by the body. Phytoestrogens bind to hormone receptors in the breast, uterus, and elsewhere in the body, easing menopausal symptoms. This is where the big news comes in. Traditional hormone replacement therapy does pretty much the same thing, but can increase the the risk of breast cancer. Black cohosh, on the other hand, does not affect the likelihood of breast cancer, according to several studies. (Keeping this in mind, never ever combine black cohash with hormone replacement therapy.) Some scientists believe that phytoestrogens may even help prevent breast cancer by keeping the body's own estrogen from locking onto breast cells.
Black cohosh can be taken at any time of day, but it is best consumed with meals to minimize the chances of an upset stomach. Many experts recommend a six-month limit on taking black cohosh, though recent studies show that longer use seems to be safe and free of significant side effects.
In summary, black cohash and weight loss can be connected for some women. When used under supervision and with a doctor's permission, black cohash can aid in weight loss efforts by helping women cope better with the symptoms typically associated with hormonal changes.
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