Magnesium- Magnesium is increasingly studied in relation to obesity and insulin resistance.

In fact a recent study showed that deficiency of magnesium is related to insulin resistance as early as childhood and suggested supplementation as an important tool in reducing diabetes in obese children (12). As well, low levels of magnesium prevalent in overweight and obese individuals may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (13, 14).

Chromium- This required mineral is lacking in many diets and is vital to glucose metabolism as it is a cofactor for glucose tolerance factor. Chromium supplementation has been associated with an increase in lean body mass, a decrease in percentage body fat, and an increase in the basal metabolic rate (8-10).

The results of a randomized double blind placebo controlled study of chromium supplementation suggest a relatively small reduction in body weight when compared with placebo during an intervention period of 6�14 weeks in patients with an average BMI of 28�33 (11). The meta-analysis of trials reported an absence of adverse effects.

Green Tea Extract- Green tea has recently been recognized for its ability to increase the metabolism of fat and decrease weight.

Green tea is thermogenic in nature; increasing the oxidation of fat molecules in the body. It may prove helpful in persons suffering from obesity and are trying to lose weight.

Coleus Forskohlii- Progressive Health's recently updated Lipitrex formulation includes the Indian plant, Coleus Forskohlii. Coleus forskohlii roots, the only known plant source of forskolin, is a natural compound that has been shown to increase lean body mass and helps optimize body composition through cAMP activation.

Raised intracellular cAMP levels have shown to decrease fat deposition and promote other significant physiological and biochemical effects, including:

• Increased insulin secretion
• Increased thyroid function
• Inhibition of mast cell degranulation and histamine release
• Increased force of contraction of heart muscle
• Relaxation of the arteries and other smooth muscles
• Inhibition of platelet activation

Pinnothin- Derived from the seeds of the Korean Pine Nut tree Pinus koraenisis, this product (which just became widely available in 2005) contains pinolenic acid which helps suppress appetite by stimulating the appetite controlling hormone cholecystokinin (7).

CLA- A clinical study recently concluded, �this study shows that CLA supplementation for 24 mo in healthy, overweight adults was well tolerated. It confirms also that CLA decreases BFM in overweight humans, and may help maintain initial reductions in BFM and weight in the long term (17)�. As well, CLA can reduce all parameters of appetite - hunger, satiety and fullness (18).

Citrus Aurantium Extract- Bitter orange is the common name for this medicinal plant which has an impressive body of research building for its use in weight reduction. A recent study demonstrated that administration of an extract of this plant results in increased thermic response to meals in women and does not cause increases in blood pressure or heart rate (15).

A review of clinical studies concluded that citrus aurantium products �may be the best thermogenic substitute for ephedra�, causing an increased metabolic rate (16).

Guarana Extract- This supplement is derived from the seeds of Paullinia cupana. An herbal preparation from South America containing guarana extract demonstrated the ability to significantly delayed gastric emptying, reduced the time to perceived gastric fullness and induced significant weight loss over 45 days in a double-blind placebo-controlled parallel trial (19).

Another randomized double blind trial examining the effect of a combination of Ma Huang and Guarana showed significant short term fat and weight loss (20).

Caffeine- Caffeine has long been used for weight loss due to its demonstrable thermogenic effects. A study published this year concluded that high caffeine intake was associated with weight loss through thermogenesis and fat oxidation and with suppressed leptin in women (21).

Another randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of a product containing ephedrine and caffeine showed that subjects taking the treatment experienced greater weight loss, without an increase in blood pressure, pulse, or the rate of adverse events, and in the absence of any lifestyle treatment to change dietary or exercise behavior (22).