How does saffron work for weight loss

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This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Abstract Obesity is associated with various diseases, particularly diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis and heart disease. Keywords: saffron, antioxidant, crocin, obesity, overweight, weight loss. Introduction Obesity and overweight are global problems since they can lead to complications associated with human health, and they can raise the risk of many diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers, hypertension and dyslipidemia [ 1 ].

Open in a separate window. Figure 1. Chemical composition of the most active constituents of saffron. General Characteristics of Crocin Crocin Crocetin di-gentiobiose ester has been detected as the most prominent chemical constituent isolated from the saffron voluble spice and from the less expensive Gardenia fruit Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis [ 24 , 25 ]. Crocin Absorption, Bioavailability and Toxicity Studies showed that crocin is not absorbed throughout the gastrointestinal tract.

Biological Properties of Saffron Saffron is used in natural medicine as anti-catarrhal, anti-spasmodic, nerve sedative, gingival seda-tive, diaphoretic, carminative and expectorant [ 15 ].

Table 1 Major biological properties of saffron attributed to potential anti-obesity effect. Crocin decreased Ox-LDL and thus inhibited the formation of atherosclerosis in quails. The hyperlipidemic effect of crocin was attributed to its pancreatic lipase inhibition. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stigma 0.

Extracts, safranal, and crocin increased swimming time. The extract also reduced lipid peroxidation products and increased antioxidant power in ischemia-reperfusion injured rat kidney. It also abolished the H 2 O 2 -induced events of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.

After 2 months, the subjects using the saffron extract reported a decrease in snacking and lost more weight than the control group. Anti-Oxidant Activity of Saffron Many studies on medicinal properties of saffron have indicated that saffron has a potent antioxidant activity which is mostly due to the presence of crocin as a unique carotenoid.

Hypolipidemic Effect of Saffron Crocin has been reported as an effective hypolipidemic agent in several human and animal studies. Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Activity of Saffron Pancreatic lipase inhibitor has attracted much attention for its key role in obesity treatment due to its effectiveness and low toxicity.

Hypoglycemic and Anti-Diabetic Effects of Saffron Reportedly saffron significantly increased serum insulin and lowered blood glucose in diabetic rats [ 45 ]. Anti-Depressant and Mood Improving Effects of Saffron Crocin and ethanolic extracts of saffron are known to show antidepressant impact on rodents.

Satiety Enhancer and Weight Loss Promoter Ethanolic extract of saffron stigma was found to significantly reduce the body weight in rats [ 27 , 51 ].

Mechanism of Potential Weight Loss Effect of Saffron Although possible weight loss effect of saffron and its mechanism of action is not clear yet, saffron extract has a promising potential as an anti-obesity herbal medication through different biological functions which can be classified into four major categories including: 1 decreasing calorie intake by blocking dietary fat digestion via inhibiting pancreatic lipase; 2 acting as an antioxidant and suppressing inflammatory cytokines and adipocyte differentiation; 3 suppressing food intake by increasing satiety, or the feeling of fullness due to raising the level of neurotransmitters or hormonal functions; and 4 enhancing glucose and lipid metabolism all of which were briefly pointed out in section 3.

Figure 2. Schematic of possible anti-obesity effect of saffron compounds. Conclusions Antioxidant-rich saffron compounds may modulate obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Acknowledgments This review article is based on research work supported by the Universiti Putra Malaysia under grant No. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. References 1. Sep, Mayer M. Recent advances in obesity pharmacotherapy.

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Hum Psychopharmacol. Satiereal, a Crocus sativus L extract, reduces snacking and increases satiety in a randomized placebo-controlled study of mildly overweight, healthy women. Nutr Res. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. Maleki-Saghooni N, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on saffron Crocus sativus effectiveness and safety on erectile dysfunction and semen parameters. Avicenna J Phytomed. May-Jun;8 3 Crocus sativus L. Hausenblas Heather Ann, et al.

J Integr Med. A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial of Saffron Crocus sativus L. J Complement Integr Med. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFit. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

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Sign Up. What are your concerns? Belly fat is one of the biggest complaints women, particularly those over 40, have today. Although exercise is pivotal for body transformation, so is diet. Oz revealed a miracle appetite suppressant that will shrink your belly fat in no time -- saffron extract.

Here are five reasons why saffron extract, a natural weight loss aid, might work for you. Saffron extract, a natural spice use for seasoning, fragrance, due and medicine for over three millennia, will annihilate your urge to over-eat.

Though Dr. Oz had never heard of this miracle appetite suppressant before, he revealed how saffron extract prevents over-eating, which is of course related to weight gain. According to a study in Whole Foods Magazine , percent of women who took the saffron extract supplement reported decreased hunger. Emotional eating is a huge factor in weight gain for many people, triggered by chemicals in the brain.

According to Life Extension , compulsive eating occurs in 30 percent of obese women, though its prevalence in the general population reportedly exceeds even this number. You crave carbohydrates. Why is that? Oz on Monday's show. When take carbohydrates and put them up in the mouth you are actually turning on chemicals in the brain They turn on this pleasure sensation, this craving you have, and they give you the satisfaction from doing this and relief.

A saffron extract supplement will go into your intestinal system, go into your brain and stimulate the same feeling an emotional eater would get from eating, say, carbohydrates.

It gives you that feeling of relief without that short-term hit from the carbohydrates. So, when you see food, you don't have to put it in; you don't feel addicted to put it in there. You have the ability to say 'no. The studies involving saffron extract that Dr. Oz looked at allowed participants to eat whatever they wanted; and the results were clear. They snack significantly less and they lost body weight even though they were allowed to eat whatever they want, he said.