Researchers with Chung-Shan Medical University, Taiwan, looked at the effects of hibiscus extract (HSE) on metabolic regulation in a group of overweight or obese adults, ages 18 to 65. Participants received either HSE -- at a dose of 450 milligrams (mg) -- or a placebo capsule containing 500 mg of starch daily for 12 weeks. The hibiscus extract led to a number of beneficial effects on obesity as well as liver health. Those in the HSE group had decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI) and body fat, as well as reduced abdominal fat distribution. Serum free fatty acids, which tend to be elevated in people with obesity, also decreased, while fatty liver disease improved. "Noticeably, the safety evaluation revealed that HSE did not harm the human body," the researchers noted. They included a breakdown of functional ingredients in HSE that likely contributed to the impressive anti-obesity and liver-protective effects shown in the study. Hibiscus polyphenols are also xenohormetic agents, which describe bioactive compounds produced when plants are stressed, which then confer benefits to the animals that consume them. Anthocyanins, which are responsible for hibiscus' bright red flowers, are one example, and it's believed their antioxidant effects are responsible for some of the plant's health benefits, though not all. One study also revealed that different colored hibiscus led to different health benefits related to obesity and insulin resistance. Alma blanca, a white-yellow hibiscus variety rich in organic and phenolic acids, surprisingly had greater anti-obesity and antidiabetic effects in rats, compared to Cuarenteña, a purple variety.

I am often asked by clients why they are not losing weight if they aren't eating very much. Here are some answers to that question along with some solutions that may help! ⚖️ 1. Your metabolism may have slowed down. The answer is: if you’ve been eating too little for too long, your body can go into “energy conservation” mode — often called adaptive thermogenesis or “starvation mode.” - Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) decreases, meaning you burn fewer calories at rest. - Your body becomes more efficient at using energy, so fat loss slows dramatically. 🩺 What to do: Gradually increase calories toward a healthy maintenance level (sometimes called a reverse diet) while focusing on protein and strength training to rebuild metabolic rate. 🍽️ 2. You might be eating more than you think When eating “hardly anything,” we often underestimate calories because: - Small extras (milk in coffee, sauces, dressings, bites, etc.) add up. - Portion sizes can be misleading. - Liquid calories (juices, alcohol) are easy to overlook. 🩺 What to do: Try tracking your intake honestly for a few days using an app (like MyFitnessPal). It can be eye-opening. 💧 3. Water retention or inflammation Your weight on the scale isn’t just fat — it also reflects water, glycogen, and digestive contents. - Hormonal changes (especially around your cycle), high salt intake, or stress can cause fluid retention. - Intense exercise or inadequate recovery can increase inflammation, masking fat loss temporarily. 🩺 What to do: Track your measurements and how clothes fit, not just scale weight. 🧬 4. Hormonal or medical factors Certain conditions make fat loss much harder, even in a calorie deficit: - Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) - PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) - Insulin resistance or prediabetes - Cortisol dysregulation from chronic stress or poor sleep - Certain medications (antidepressants, birth control, steroids, etc.) 🩺 What to do: Ask your doctor for basic labs — thyroid panel, fasting insulin, cortisol, and sex hormones if relevant.