USE OF HERB FUCOXANTHIN AND POMEGEANATE SEED OIL FOR WEIGHT LOSS WHILST BREASTFEEDING

Question
QUESTION: CAN I USE THESE NATURAL PRODUCTS. IT IS CONTAINED IN A PRODUCT THAT WAS RECOMMENDED TO ME. IF NOT WHAT CAN I USE TO ACCELERATE MY WEIGHT LOSS. I SEEM TO BE STUCK AFTER CHANGING DIET AND INTRODUCING EXERCISE. SHOULD I USE ANY PRODUCT CONTAINING BLACK, GREEN OR WHITE TEA AND EVEN THE HERB ASHWAGANDHA? I OCCASIONALLY SUFFER FROM HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. SHOULD ANYONE OR DOES THERE EXIST ANY HERB I CAN TAKE TO CLEANSE OR DETOX WHILE BREASTFEEDING.  THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE.



ANSWER: Hello Arlene,

I do not know if the 2 weight loss supplements are safe in breast-feeding, so I can't say for sure.  It's not recommended to try to detox during breast feeding, and any supplement that might have that effect is best avoided.  Tea extracts which contain caffeine are not recommended while breast feeding (& not recommended with high blood pressure), & ashwaganda only under guidance.  Typically, breast feeding acclerates weight loss, some minor diet changes (remove sugars, refined carbohydrates, increase fruits & vegetables) may be safe as well; with that and exercise that's often enough.  If it is not you may want to look into hormonal balance with your personal physician (adrenal and/ or thyroid) as that can commonly change after giving birth and interfere with weight loss.  Making sure you are getting enough sleep & managing stress, & taking a good quality multivitamin may also help and are safe to do.  When you have stopped breast feeding, if there is additional weight you want to lose, that is the best time to address it to maintain your reserves while providing optimal nutrition for your baby.  

In health,

Dr Conner



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QUESTION: CAN YOU STILL ENQUIRE ABOUT THE ORGANIC HERB CALLED FUCOXANTHIN CONTAINED  IN A PRODUCT CALLED FUCOTHIN AS I AM CONSIDERING USING IT AFTER I AM FINISHED BREASTFEEDING


Answer
This is a newer product, so it's hard to evaluate.  It contains seaweeds, which are commonly used for low thyroid function, which often results in weight gain or inability to lose weight.  So it makes sense that this might help some people, because many have borderline low thryoid function--but that's different than accelerating weight loss in a healthy person.  I'd be suspicious of anything that makes big claims on weight loss--there's typically no easy fix here; once you have addressed any deficiencies or imbalances, the best way to lose weight is caloric restriction, dietary changes, and exercise.