Obesity is no longer regarded as an aesthetic issue or merely as a health problem. It is now medically viewed as a full-fledged disease that is reaching epidemic proportions across the developed world.
It is a direct causal contributor to many diseases and exacerbates numerous others. Among these are five of the leading causes of death in the industrialized world: stroke, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.
Dangers of Obesity
Obesity has a measurable and dramatic effect on several vital body parameters.
Lipid Profile
Obesity increases blood cholesterol levels. Specifically, LDL ( the "bad" cholesterol) has been shown to increase dramatically with progressive weight gain.
LDL has been implicated in plaque formation in blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, hardening of blood vessels and consequently, heart attacks and cerebral stroke.
Blood Sugar
Uncontrolled weight gain is the primary cause for Type 2 diabetes and Syndrome X. This syndrome is characterized by elevated cholesterol levels, high blood sugar and insulin resistance. Diabetes is regarded as one of the top three killer diseases in the developed world, the other two being hypertension and cancer.
Blood Pressure
That obesity can cause hypertension is well established. Hypertension is the developed world's number one killer ailment. It can, and does, cause heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, renal failure and cerebral hemorrhage.Musculo-Skeletal System
Obesity leads to increased wear and tear on weight-bearing joints, particularly the knees, hips and ankles. The result is progressive osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and aggravation of osteoporosis.
Vascular System and Blood Circulation
Obesity is a causative factor in the development of varicose veins and serious circulatory ailments like deep vein thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.
In addition to the physiological effects obesity has on the human system, there are psychological disorders that can be blamed on obesity. Clinical depression, social phobias and eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa have their origins in distorted self-image caused by obesity.
Obviously then, there is strong clinical need for effective therapeutic options for the treatment of obesity.
Conventional Pharmaceutical Options
These include:
Lipase Inhibitors: (Orlistat / Xenical )
These work by inhibiting the absorption of consumed fat.
Patient compliance is a serious consideration with lipase inhibitors, because of the way such drugs work. Several gastrointestinal side-effects occur. Uncontrollable gas and oily or fatty stools have been reported. Patients on Orlistat frequently complain of an increased number of bowel movements, oily spotting between bowel movements, bowel urgency , inability to control bowel movements and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Appetite Suppressants / CNS Stimulants: ( Phentermine, Ephedrine)
These drugs act by modifying neurotransmitter levels, specifically catecholamines and serotonin.
Unacceptable side effects occur as a consequence of altered neurotransmitter function. These include increased heart rate, hypertension, anxiety, mood alterations, diaphoresis, dizziness, swelling of extremities, dryness of mouth, constipation and insomnia.
Ephedra, in particular, has been implicated in patient deaths and has been withdrawn by the USFDA.
Thermogenic Drugs
These drugs increase BMR ( basal metabolic rate) by altering thyroid function. Such drugs are not regarded as safe and can be used only under strict medical supervision. The consequences of modifying thyroid function can be serious.
Clearly, conventional pharmaceutical drugs are limited in the benefits they can offer to obese patients.
Caralluma Fimbriata - A Safe Herbal Alternative
The herbal biodiversity of the Indian sub-continent is perhaps unmatched anywhere else in the world. India is home to approximately 45,000 plant species, only a few thousand of which have been documented.
Caralluma Fimbriata is a succulent, edible cactus that grows across India. It has been in use since centuries in India as a vegetable and famine food. It is part of the food-chain in semi-arid regions of India.
"It is commonly used as a vegetable in semi-arid regions of India. It is eaten raw or cooked with spices. It is also used in pickles and chutneys. Indian tribals are known to chew chunks of Caralluma Fimbriata to suppress hunger when on a day's hunt. The cactus is used by the tribals and hunters in the Southern Part of India to suppress appetite and enhance endurance."
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