Due to our increasingly sedentary lifestyles, obesity is one of the leading health concerns of Americans. To combat our collective expanding girth, the multi-billion dollar weight loss industry is constantly reinventing ways to shed those extra pounds. Among the anecdotally recommended dietary supplements is green tea.

Green tea has been cited for its antioxidant properties, in the form of ECGC chemical components and its reputed oxidation of fat cells. But no matter how much of it we drink, it will not replace the necessary changes in our lifestyles from the sedentary to the active. Those of us who are too rushed to enjoy a properly prepared cup of green tea now have the option of ingesting its extract in pill form. While this may seem more efficient, the possibility of an overdose is considerable, and we negate the enjoyment that savoring a cup of green tea can provide. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration does not currently endorse the use of green tea for weight loss.

Our bodies are systems and attempting to take “short cuts” to permanent changes inevitably result in defeat. In other words, the experience of five (5) pounds off is followed by 10
pounds back on. The use of green tea originated in the Far East where patience in all things is revered. We would be well served by following this cultural example when attempting to change our bodies. In the words of the tortoise, “Slow and steady wins the race.”

Due to our increasingly sedentary lifestyles, obesity is one of the leading health concerns of Americans. To combat our collective expanding girth, the multi-billion dollar weight loss industry is constantly reinventing ways to shed those extra pounds. Among the anecdotally recommended dietary supplements is green tea.

Green tea has been cited for its antioxidant properties, in the form of ECGC chemical components and its reputed oxidation of fat cells. But no matter how much of it we drink, it will not replace the necessary changes in our lifestyles from the sedentary to the active. Those of us who are too rushed to enjoy a properly prepared cup of green tea now have the option of ingesting its extract in pill form. While this may seem more efficient, the possibility of an overdose is considerable, and we negate the enjoyment that savoring a cup of green tea can provide. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration does not currently endorse the use of green tea for weight loss.

Our bodies are systems and attempting to take “short cuts” to permanent changes inevitably result in defeat. In other words, the experience of five (5) pounds off is followed by 10
pounds back on. The use of green tea originated in the Far East where patience in all things is revered. We would be well served by following this cultural example when attempting to change our bodies. In the words of the tortoise, “Slow and steady wins the race.”