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by Rocco Perez

Let me state that cardio and caloric restriction has its place for weight loss, just not long term. Fat loss is driven by hormones and enzymes. Control these and weight loss should be effortless. If you’ve been reading my articles, you have heard me talk about cortisol before. Cortisol is a stress hormone that keeps our body fueled and helps us adapt to stress. When cortisol becomes rampant, it can lead to central belly fat and obesity. What a lot of people don’t know is that there is an enzyme located within the liver and fat tissues that keeps cortisol levels elevated. This enzyme is known as HSD ( 11B-Hydroxysteriod-Dehydrogenase). Cortisol life cycles should be short  but when this enzyme is playing its hand, expect stubborn belly fat. Unfortunately, genetically some people will have more of this enzyme than others and that is why some people cannot lose fat as quickly.

The solution? Aryuvedic and chinese medicine has come up with a solution: LICORICE. This ancient root has long been used for a number of health reasons and also as a sweetener. The supplement would be classified as YANG supplement, meaning it increases energy. Licorice inhibits the activity of HSD by increasing the halflife of cortisol, that means cortisol stays elevated on its own without HSD. This will also increase early morning energy (people with adrenal fatigue will suffer early morning fatigue due to low cortisol). Clients involved with my Biosignature who express a high umbilical site usually use licorice for 9 days and it is not uncommon to see a 10-15 point drop in that site. Like all supplements, Always consult with your health care practitioner before starting any supplement regimen. Licorice in females has been shown to increase blood pressure, but that has only been shown in long term usage and people never take it more than 9 days with me.

References:

Biosignature/Charlepoliquin.com

^ ^{a b} Winston, David; Steven Maimes (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Healing Arts Press.

Yokota T, Nishio H, Kubota Y, Mizoguchi M. The inhibitory effect of glabridin from licorice extracts on melanogenesis and inflammation. Pigment Cell Res 11(6):355-61 (1998 Dec).

Sandeep, T. C.; Joyce L. W. Yau, Alasdair M. J. MacLullich, June Noble, Ian J. Deary, Brian R. Walker, and Jonathan R. Seckl (19 April 2004). “11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibition