Weightloss Supplements and The Senna Tea. GOOD or BAD?

We all know that exercise makes our body sore, if lucky just overnight, but it can stay for a week.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

So, we tend to find another way around to lose weight. We ask friends, search the internet, seek for advice, and most of us end up taking pills, drinking teas, weight loss juice, and doing different diets. I have experienced this. I tried to exercise regularly as much as possible and do some bizarre diets. I also tried potato diet, but I couldn't keep up with it. So, I seek ways of losing weight fast, and easy. I tried a slimming tea which is "BioFiTea" and found it pretty effective in cleansing my colon for unwanted fats and constipation (effective for me, I'm not sure for others. I lost an inch or two on my waist line.). The thing is, it will cause tummy aches, especially at mornings, for this is taken before bedtime. I go to the bathroom many times to bowel, that's why I only drink this on weekends because I have classes on weekdays.


So it made me think, is this really safe? It's effective, yes, but will it not damage my colon? what about colon cancer?


The idea of losing weight fast is really great. But do weight loss pills and teas will be surely effective? Won't it be just a big hole in the pocket? And are they the only safe option for losing weight fast? Here are some OTC pills that can be bought at your local drugstore, the effectiveness, and possible side effects:

Product	Claim	Effectiveness	Side effects
Alli — OTC version of prescription drug orlistat (Xenical)	Decreases absorption of dietary fat	Effective; but weight loss is even more modest than that with Xenical	Loose stools, oily spotting, frequent or hard-to-control bowel movements; reports of rare, but serious liver injury
Bitter orange	Increases calories burned	Probably ineffective	Similar to ephedra: raised blood pressure and heart rate
Chitosan	Blocks absorption of dietary fat	Probably ineffective	Uncommon: upset stomach, nausea, gas, increased stool bulk, constipation
Chromium	Decreases appetite and increases calories burned	Probably ineffective	Uncommon: headache, insomnia, irritability, mood changes, cognitive dysfunction
Conjugated linoleic acid	Reduces body fat	Possibly effective	Upset stomach, nausea, loose stools
Green tea extract	Decreases appetite, and increases calorie and fat metabolism	Insufficient evidence to evaluate	Dizziness, insomnia, agitation, nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, diarrhea
Guar gum	Blocks absorption of dietary fat and increases feeling of fullness	Possibly ineffective	Abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea
Hoodia	Decreases appetite	Insufficient evidence to evaluate	Insufficient information available

THE SENNA TEA

Drinking senna tea is very effective and natural way to deal with constipation. The popular senna plant (the main ingredient of BioFiTea) is a herbal laxative used to relieve constipation it has anthraquinones which is a very strong laxative.  The problem here is that there are dangers associated with consuming senna tea.

Allergies

• Some people have allergic reaction to senna plant. They have experienced serious allergic reactions when they drink senna tea. Always be precarious when drinking something you are not really familiar with. Take little by little and observe if you are having allergic reactions such as swelling of any part of your body, but mostly it's the tongue, and/or followed by difficulty breathing and swallowing.

Digestive Issues

• Instead of improving our digestive system, it intends to worsen. It is when we tend to overuse it. Chronic diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps can occur when this happens. This can lead to dehydration and an electrolyte balance disturbance, which can be fatal.

Laxative Dependency

• The overuse of senna tea can damage the colon and rectum as they become desensitized (To render insensitive or less sensitive.) to the need to defecate (To void feces from the bowels.). This will cause a strong dependency of more laxatives and cause a recurring long-term issue.

Finger and Toe Enlargement

• Yes, the fingers and toes will enlarge and will become clubbed. This is very noticable in people with anorexia (being too thin, as in skin and bones.) who abuse the herb. Discontinue the use if suspected to have this side effect.

Organ Injury

• Any thing that we take more than the average or too much is never a good thing. Drinking too much senna tea can cause Pseudomelanosis coli, a condition that turns the intestines black. This can cause colon cancer. It may cause liver enzyme altercation, chronic liver disease and liver failure. Senna tea can also damage the kidneys and cause renal failure.

Drug Interactions

• Anyone who senna tea must inform their doctor to avoid dangerous drug interactions. There are at lease 123 drugs that cause bad reactions when mixed used with senna tea. Some common drugs that react with senna tea are aspirin, Lasix, Lexapro, Milk of Magnesia, Prilosec and Tylenol. Vitamins C and D may also cause adverse drug interactions when taken with senna tea.

Pregnancy

• Pregnant women should not take senna tea because it can cause premature contractions and miscarrage. Lactating mothers should also avoid it to prevent it from causing a laxative effect in the baby's digestive system.

  
  

  
  

  (The following information above was compiled and rephrased for much easier understanding of the readers; to make sure that the readers of any age will be able to understand and to have information and knowledge about the topic being discussed. The reference of each site that I used here is linked below. )

  
  

  (If you find this blog helpful, please recommend and share this to others. If possible, follow my blog. thank you :).)

  
  

  
  

  References: http://www.ehow.com/about_5402360_dangers-senna-tea.html

  http://www.thefreedictionary.com/defecate

  http://www.thefreedictionary.com/desensitization 

  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/HQ01160; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2011; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2011

Insomnia

Having trouble sleeping can be a really huge stress, especially if we have work and classes on mornings...

I had insomnia when I was 13. It goes away after I changed my sleeping habits, though it is not so easy to do that, I get so sleepy but as if my mind is still so awake. There is so many things that runs through my brain at night; songs, memories, food, cravings etc. that stops me from getting my sleep. There were times that I couldn't sleep at all. I have tried drinking hot milk (not really helpful for me), I tried running and dancing in the mornings, but it didn't work also, I just exhausted my self and my body got sore, but I didn't fall to sleep at my targeted sleeping hours.


Now I'm 18, I had overcome my sleepless nights. I have my own practice that I will share to you little later, plus I did a research of other ways to treat insomnia. I KNOW HOW IT FEELS, IT'S REALLY CRAZY AT NIGHT. SCUMBAG BRAIN WON'T STOP THINKING OF EVERYTHING! If you want to know more about Insomnia, cure, tips, natural remedies, sleeping benefits, sleeping disorders, sleep aids and Insomnia FAQs, the link is beloooow. :)


HOW I DEALT WITH INSOMNIA:


1. I just let my self be awake until I get sleepy. What ever time it is, even if it's 3 or 4 am and I am still awake, I just let it be.


2.I wake up at 5 am, (yes, I only have an hour or two to sleep, but that is the case, I will let my body be sleepy all day and consume every energy that is left of me) I have multiple alarms here. haha. Just in case I sleep again after my first alarm. (I have my boyfriend to help me in this part, He is my first alarm)


3. Do some activities that will consume your energy. Exercise, run, walk your dog, play something just don't let your self fall asleep again! This will cause you to regain energy if you oversleep and won't be able to get a sleep at night.


4. Motivate your self to wake up early. This means if you wake up early, possibly, you'll get tired adn/or sleepy much earlier than usual.


5. Try to get sleep early if you started waking up early. Turn off the lights 7 or 8 pm or earlier as possible. Also, get rid of distractions, cellphones, tv, gadgets and other distracting stuff.


(THE SAID PROCEDURES ABOVE WAS NOT PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE FOR OTHERS. I DON'T RECOMMEND DOING THIS FOR ANYONE. I JUST SHARED WHAT I DID TO CURE MY INSOMNIA. I'M NOT TELLING YOU TO DO THE SAME. IF YOU LIKE TO, THEN DO SO. ANY SIDE EFFECTS IS NOT ON MY CONCERN AND RESPONSIBILITIES.)


TIPS/ALTERNATE/PROVEN EFFECTIVE/SCIENTIFIC WAYS TO CURE INSOMNIA:


1. Good sleep hygiene: establish a routine bedtime, don’t watch TV while you’re trying to go to sleep or while sleeping, eliminate stimulants like caffeine and sugar from your diet before bed, get on a routine exercise schedule, avoid alcohol before bed.


2. Create an inviting bedroom or sleep space. Make your bedroom a sanctuary you are only too happy to retreat to.


3. Try some home remedies to help you relax before bedtime: warm bath with or without Epsom salts, warm milk or cocoa (I personally don't recommend this, simply because it really didn't work on me), a couple cookies, some chamomile tea with honey.


4. Deep relaxation and music therapy CDs might help create an atmosphere in which you are able to relax and naturally go to sleep.


5. If you take OTC sleep aids or a sleep inducing antihistamine, don’t use them as long-term solutions for chronic insomnia.

6. Talk to your doctor about natural remedies versus prescription sleep medications. 

7. If you are prescribed a prescription sleep aid like Ambien or Lunesta take them just before going to bed.

Remember, Insomnia is not a sleep disorder nor illness, but it can be cures with certain lifestyle changes, short-term sleep aids, therapeutic behavioral modification or a combination of these.

I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT INSOMNIA!

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