Are You Underweight or Under Control?

Best Single Herb: Spirulina

Best Combinations: Spirulina; saw palmetto; chamomile; alfalfa; marshmallow; bee pollen

Other Helpful Supplements: B-complex vitamins; amino acids

Possible Causes: Overactive thyroid; nervous tension; parasites

Complementary Help: Dried fruit; nuts and seeds; baked potatoes

Being underweight can be as frustrating for a person as being overweight is for the obese. In the United States, at least, we seem to have an obsession with being thin; yet, most of the country is overweight! So, if you have a problem with being too skinny, let’s take a look at some of the possibilities first; then I’ll give you some tips on eating, and we’ll talk about herbs and other supplements that can help you bulk up to your body’s capacity.

People are underweight for different reasons, some based on an inadequate self-perception. In other words, you could be healthy and at the ideal weight for your body, but you feel inadequate for some reason. Of course, herbs cannot change your perceptions of yourself. If you are seriously ill, you will probably not be eating much and may become severely underweight. You also may have an overactive thyroid, poor absorption, or other fixable problems. Find out from your physician if you are clinically underweight, and find out how much your body can reasonably handle without stressing your structural system. Then set some reasonable goals for yourself. You will want to build muscle when gaining weight, not unhealthy fat.

Herbs cannot do everything for everyone, so let’s take a look at what herbs can and can’t do for weight management.

Herbs and Weight Management:

Herbs alone cannot cure the things listed in the “cannot” category, but they can aid in the recovery from some of these things. Mental disturbances such as anorexia and bulimia must be addressed by a mental health professional, and then a weight-producing herbal/supplemental/food program can be put into place effectively if it’s still needed. If you are underweight due to a severe illness, you can use these nutritious, weight-building herbs to build your strength back up as you are recovering. Make sure to check for parasite infection if you suddenly drop weight. As always, find the core of your problem first, and then work with the herbs that will help with your core issue. Only then can true healing and balancing take place. Now let’s take a look at some herbs and supplements that, in general, can help beef you up.

Herb Lore: information related to holistic health

The supplement is known as 5-hydroxy-tryptophan and is a metabolized form of the ammo l-tryptophan. It could serve as a solution for anorexia, depression, and other mental illnesses. The body uses this supplement to make the hormone serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood, appetite, and sleep. Make sure your supplement contains B6 and zinc since these nutrients make the substance more available to your cells. Caution: This supplement should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women or if you are on medications, nor should it be taken if you are also taking a product that contains ma huang (ephedra).

Spirulina: A Weighty Solution

Spirulina, an algae otherwise called food plankton, is particularly rich in protein. This herb is grown in and collected from lakes, and it contains all eight essential amino acids. Spirulina also is an excellent supplement for strict vegetarians to take as a source of B12, a vitamin that is normally found only in red meat.

The rich chlorophyll content in spirulina also helps build the blood and nourishes the body with minerals such as potassium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, calcium, and manganese.

Warnings about the use of herbs

An absence of vitamin B12 in the diet can lead to pernicious anemia (low blood count). Strict vegetarians can receive B12 through the use of spirulina supplementation.

Anyone with blood sugar imbalances (diabetics or hypoglycemics) can especially benefit from the positive qualities in spirulina. It is a rich source of protein and therefore has an ability to balance fluctuating blood sugar levels. If you are pregnant and/or nursing, spirulina can serve as a rich source of natural vitamins for you. Spirulina’s chlorophyll content can help keep you from becoming anemic during pregnancy, and it can enrich breast milk while nursing. Not only can this herb make you feel more energetic and give you more stamina, but it also can help relieve stress and provide a sense of euphoria at the same time.

This protein-rich food can help you build muscle as well. Take four capsules two to three times a day for weight-building; you can also add it to your daily weight-building smoothie. To steady blood sugar, take a capsule or two between meals.

Here’s a recipe that might help you add some pounds. Add the following to your blender, and mix:

8 ounces soy milk

1 frozen banana

4 capsules spirulina (emptied into mixture)

½ handful of any of the following: cashews, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed

A tablespoon or two of organic yogurt, with live acidophilus cultures

Flavor with any of the following if needed: a splash of fruit juice, a few drops of vanilla, or a teaspoon or two of carob powder with a pinch of stevia for sweetening.

Drink this concoction daily for enhanced weight production.

He Ain’t Heavy — but He’s Trying

If you are a parent of a growing boy who desires to build his weight, please don’t allow him to pig out on junk food, candy bars, and sugary snacks. This only has detrimental effects on their overall health, blood sugar, and hormone balance. Junk food can also trigger adolescent acne and can encourage obesity and poor dietary habits that are hard to break.

Instead, leave out bowls of dried fruit pieces and nuts for snacking. Some juice-sweetened organic chocolate candies thrown in the mixture is okay, too.

Dried fruits and raw nuts and seeds are concentrated foods that will help put on healthy bulk. Make sure that you (or your children) are drinking lots of extra water if you are eating dehydrated fruits.

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

The Sunspire company makes chocolate candies called Sundrops, which are just like M&M’s without the refined sugar, chemical dies, or wax; ask your local health food store to carry them for you.

Consider an amino acid supplement to help you put on extra pounds. The B-complex vitamins may stimulate your appetite if you take them before instead of after meals. Other herbs that are full of nutrients and that can help you gain healthful weight are listed in the next table. These include saw palmetto, bee pollen, marshmallow, alfalfa, and chamomile.

Herb Lore: information related to holistic health

Farmers who raise pigs for slaughter cleverly discovered that baked potatoes will help you put on weight The farmers used to feed their pigs raw potatoes, but they somehow realized that by cooking the potatoes first, the pigs fattened up faster. Now many pigs receive cooked potatoes only!

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