For many, the topic of weight loss is emotionally charged. At the same time, many have tried various approaches without success and are frustrated and justifiably leery of new options. In most cases people have acquired excess weight over a period of years and looking forward to a quick reversal usually leads to disappointment.

As our understanding of weight loss physiology has increased, it has become readily apparent that not all weight loss is equal. For healthy weight loss to occur the majority of the weight should be fat.

When calorie restriction is the principal method used to lose weight our bodies respond by switching into "starvation" mode. This is believed to be a mechanism that better enabled us to survive at a time when our food supplies were inconsistent. To adapt to a marked decrease in calories we burn not only our fat stores, but also our muscle tissue for energy. Muscle is metabolically far more active than fat tissue, which means muscle burns or uses up much more energy. The result is that with low calorie diets the weight comes off fast, but in the process we lose muscle mass and our metabolic rate drops. A lowered metabolism is a primary cause of up and down or "Yo-Yo" dieting. As many are aware, Yo-Yo dieters have a tendency to watch their weight drift upwards over time.

Exercise on the other hand is slower, but muscle loss will be minimized and depending on the type of exercise, muscle mass may even increase. Most importantly, exercise can result in an increased metabolism.

There are a number of other weight loss approaches as well, such as: fat blockers, carb blockers, stimulants and appetite suppressants. Perhaps the two most important questions a consumer can ask are: first, whether a specific product in its entirety has been tested (and not just one of the ingredients) and second, what exactly were the results? For example, many times the safety of a product is first tested with no regard as to whether it works or not. However, it is almost human nature to assume a product is effective if it says "Clinically Proven" on the label. You need to have "Clinically Proven" defined. Furthermore, many consumers would be alarmed to discover just how many products claim to be clinically proven without ever being tested.

A New Approach To Healthy Weight Loss- Lowering Leptin

The lowering of leptin levels provides an entirely new approach to weight loss. Leptin is a hormone produced in the fat cells themselves that helps to regulate body fat storage. Leptin also affects satiation (feeling full), glycemic control and metabolism. (It is now well known that the fat cells act as endocrine glands by producing hormones. Researchers first realized that fat acted in a glandular manner when very slim, young female athletes experienced delays in the onset of their periods. Fat cells were found to produce estrogen and less fat meant less estrogen.)

Because of the connection between leptin levels and body fat, there were many attempts by scientists to lower leptin levels. Finally, in May 2005, University of Minnesota scientists were awarded a United States
patent for proving that fat loss and lower leptin levels could be achieved with specific plant extracts. Most importantly, they did it with GRAS or Generally Regarded As Safe plant extracts. The safety profile of these leptin lowering plant extracts are in stark contrast to stimulants such as ephedra or caffeine containing plants.

The key to the equation is that if one can lower leptin levels, it is highly likely that the percentage of body fat will also be lowered. This is precisely what happened in the first completed double blind clinical trial of the GRAS plant extracts. The patients receiving Slowly & Surely lost an impressive 70% more weight than those receiving the placebo. And compared to the placebo the Slowly & Surely group lost a remarkable 92% more body fat. In other words those that received Slowly & Surely reduced their body fat by almost twice (92%) as much as those on the placebo. Plus their leptin and insulin levels both improved (decreased).

Whenever possible, a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and proper nutrition (this does not include extremely low calorie diets!) should be the foundation for long-term weight management. However, we anticipate that some consumers will simply take Slowly & Surely and hope for the best without exercising.

We have not formally tested Slowly & Surely without exercise. However, we would like to share one story with you of a researcher who was involved with the development of Slowly & Surely. He had been taking the product for a year (nice to see that he practiced what he preached), did not change or increase his regular exercise routine, and lost 10 pounds. This does not seem like much, but it is the type of weight that he lost that is interesting. In his 50s, he had some extra pounds around his waist, as would be expected with most 50 plus men. After a year on the product he now has a "six pack". Even more interesting is that he has never had a six pack, not even as an athlete in his 20s. It seems that the product specifically resulted in fat loss for him. Before taking Slowly & Surelyhe used to crave and think about sweets often. His sugar cravings are now gone, which makes sense based on what scientists know about leptin, since it affects our feelings of fullness and glycemic (blood sugar) control.

Slowly & Surely seemed to clearly help this scientist with his waist weight and sugar craving. However, please keep in mind that he has taken the product for a year. He says his sugar cravings took a number of months to correct, but he is very pleased and feels it was well worth the wait.

We wish we could say that Slowly & Surely is a quick fix (just as Superior To Glucosamine cream provides fast pain relief) but we can not, since it simply is not the case. Then again we are doubtful, just as most consumers are, that a quick fix to weight problems even exists. However what we can say with confidence is that the effects of Slowly & Surely are real. If they weren't, the University of Minnesota would not have been awarded a United States patent.

ENHANCE YOUR FAT LOSS