In 2000, an estimated 30.5 percent of adults were obese (i.e., had a body mass index [BMI] greater than 30 kg per [m.sup.2]) (1) and 15.5 percent of adolescents were overweight (BMI of 25 to 30 kg per [m.sup.2]). (2) Given the medical and psychosocial impact of being overweight, as well as the difficulty in making sustained improvements in diet and physical activity, it is not surprising that patients often turn to over-the-counter (OTC) proprietary weight-loss products containing single or multiple dietary supplements (e.g., herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids).
Unintentional weight loss is the most common symptom of cancer and often a side effect of cancer treatments. A poor response to cancer treatments, reduced quality of life, and shorter survival time may result from substantial weight loss. The body may become weaker and less able to tolerate cancer therapies. As body weight decreases, body functionality declines and may lead to malnutrition, illness, infection, and perhaps death.
The use of natural therapies--things like herbs, medicinal teas, and tinctures--has been growing among adults for years. Now there's strong evidence that children are receiving these treatments in greater numbers too.
Diet Most people will begin to lose weight if they cut calories to no more than 1,500 per day and do aerobic exercise for 20 minutes three or four times per week. Changing your behavior is also key Recording the foods you eat in a diet diary for at least five days will help you see what, why and how much you are eating. Following the detoxification diet--which excludes preservatives, dyes and pesticides-will eliminate waste and motivate you to alter your eating habits.
Herbal supplements Herbs and nutritional supplements can help break down fat tissue. Among the herbs I prescribe frequently are Ephedra sinica and Camellia sinensis, or green tea. I recommend half a gram of ephedra twice daily to increase metabolism and diminish appetite, and one cup of green tea per day to facilitate breakdown of fat cells. Other herbs include Corynanthe yohimbe (1 milligram three times a day) and Taraxacum, or dandelion root (4 grams of the dried powder or 500 to 1,000 mg of solid extract a day). Both are available in health-food stores.

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