According to the World Health Organization (WHO), worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Being overweight can take both a physical and psychological toll on your life.
Physically you’re at greater risk for developing type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart attacks due to coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, gallstones, liver problems, and some cancers. Psychologically, it can result in low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and eating disorders among others.
Conventional methods of treating obesity are effective. However, many come with a high price tag and great risk. This has increased the demand for alternative natural solutions. A tropical plant in the Rubiaceae family indigenous to Thailand and Southeast Asia is growing in popularity as one of those options.
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has a storied history of medicinal and therapeutic use that dates back centuries. Its been used as a stimulant, analgesic (pain reliever), anti-diarrheal, appetite suppressant, opiate substitute or to reduce opiate dependence.
The plant comes in different varieties and strains. The varieties are identified by where they are cultivated and the strains by the color of the veins in the leaves. The benefits come from the leaves that contain a vast number of active compounds known as alkaloids (most notably mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine).
The alkaloids found in Kratom bind to opioid receptors and prompt the release of neurotransmitters that cause opiate-like effects. The intensity of the effects depends on the specific strain and amount consumed. It should be noted, however, that though Kratom produces opiate-like effects, it contains no opiates of any kind.
Kratom for Weight Loss
As an alkaloid-rich, plant-based supplement, Kratom has properties that have been shown to help users either lose weight or maintain an optimal weight. Those properties include the following.
Energy Booster/ Stimulant
Fatigue and weight are tightly connected. Though researchers are unsure if fatigue leads to weight gain or vice versa, hey do agree though that energy is required to work off extra pounds and to keep a healthy weight. Kratom is a well-known energy booster and stimulant. It influences the metabolic process and promotes blood circulation and improves the oxygen levels in your blood causing you to feel more energetic.
Anxiolytic (Anti-anxiety)
When you’re stressed or anxious, your craving for sugar and fat increase and you’re more likely to binge eat. Kratom triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin, two hormones that trigger positive feelings in the body. They deactivate or calm down triggers that lead to anxious thoughts and help you fight the urge to reach for an unhealthy meal or snack.
Appetite Suppressant
Kratom helps to reduce your caloric intake by suppressing your appetite. This is a common effect of opiates and opiate-like products but Kratom is a better choice as users say it does not cause stomach issues.
Reduces Cravings
Opiate receptors are also responsible for triggering cravings. As a partial agonist at these locations Kratom is able to reduce the intensity of cravings and even eliminate them all together.
Motivation
Staying physically active is one way to lose weight but one must feel motivated to do so. When Kratom activates the opioid receptors in the brain, dopamine and serotonin are released. These two chemicals are known to help you feel more motivated to get moving and get things done
Best Kratom for Weight Loss
As there are multiple varieties of Kratom, it’s important to know which ones will produce the effects you want. For weight loss, Maeng Da and Thai Kratom have been identified as the most effective.
1. Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da Kratom was specifically created through a technique called grafting to have a highly potent alkaloid blend. Of all strains, it delivers the largest stimulating effect. It also comes with the added benefit of not having the side effects typical with a strain this strong like jitters, restlessness or muscle tremors.
This variety of Kratom is available in red, green, and white vein strains. The white vein strain has a higher concentration of mitragynine than of 7- hydroxymitragynine. It provides the greatest stimulating boost as well as cognitive and mood enhancing effects. The red vein strain offers pain relief in addition to focus and clarity. Its combined effects are the most potent and last the longest. The green vein strain delivers mild stimulating and analgesic effects.
2. Thai Kratom
Thai Kratom is favored for its endurance, energy and stimulation, appetite suppressant and nootropic effects. Its effects are said to last longer than the Maeng Da variety. Mitraphylline, Mitragynine, and 7-hydroxmitragynine are its most dominant alkaloids.
This variety of Kratom is also available in red, green, and white vein strains. White vein Thai produces the most stimulating effects. It is extremely potent so side effects like jitters, restlessness or muscle tremors are common. Green vein Thai is a stimulant and mood enhancer though not as potent as the white strain. Red vein Thai has a high sedative effect so should be avoided.
Kratom Strains To Avoid
The variety of alkaloids found in Kratom enable it to create multiple effects when consumed. However, users have found that not all the effects are complimentary. For example, a potent pain-relieving strain may soothe and relax rather than stimulate. Great if pain is slowing you down but not great if you need to keep moving.
Those seeking intentional weight loss should avoid the following Indo, Bali and Borneo Kratom. They produce a high analgesic effect that is coupled with an equally high sedative effect.
Dosing Recommendations
In addition to Kratom’s effects differing from variety to variety and strain to strain, they are also dose-dependent. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you are taking the right amount to achieve your objectives.
For weight loss, a moderate dose of 2 to 5 grams is shown to be effective for most users.
How To Improve Your Kratom Experience
- Due to the stimulating effects of the recommended varieties, take it as early in the day as possible so as not to interfere with your sleep habits. Sleep plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight.
- Take it prior to eating any meals for more potent effects that kick in quicker.
- Rotate between the recommended strains or use a blend to prevent building tolerance and dependence.
- Avoid taking it every day and using Kratom potentiators (grapefruit, chamomile tea, turmeric, cayenne pepper, watercress, Akuamma seed, magnesium, Valerian Root or Cat’s Claw) as the accelerate tolerance build up and dependence.
- Buy your products from a reputable certified seller to avoid getting substandard products that may contain contaminants that cause adverse reactions.
- If using for the first time, start with a low dose to avoid unpleasant side effects.
