These changes begin to peak at about 60 minutes before dropping back to normal after that. The great thing is that over the period of a year if you drank this much water every day upon rising it could result in burning an extra 17,400 calories and result in the loss of five pounds. For the best results we suggest drinking the additional water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

(J Clin Endocrinol Metab 03;88:6015–6019) (J Clin Endocrinol
Metab 07;92:3334–3337)

Leptin is the “hunger hormone” that signals satiety and the breakdown of stored fat. Thin people to have robust levels of leptin. Surprisingly, levels in obese people are often very high. That’s because overweight individuals also have elevations in CRP. In addition to being a marker of inflammation, CRP binds to leptin and blocks its effects on satiety and weight reduction. By lowering CRP, irvingia frees up leptin so it can do what it’s supposed to do in putting the brakes on appetite and promote fat breakdown.

Another hormone that plays a role in weight management, adiponectin, is primarily a modulator of the cells’ sensitivity to insulin. The more body fat you have, the lower your adiponectin level and the more insulin resistant you are. Irvingia has the unique ability to raise levels of adiponectin and thus improves insulin sensitivity and promotes weight loss.

The combined actions of this botanical extract are profound. In a 2008 trial, overweight participants were divided into two groups and placed on daily supplements of irvingia or a placebo for 10 weeks. At the study’s conclusion, those who had taken irvingia lost an average of 28 pounds, 16.2 percent of waist circumference, and 18.4 percent of body fat. They also had stunning reductions in average blood sugar (22 percent), total cholesterol (26 percent), LDL cholesterol (27 percent), and CRP (52 percent). There were no significant changes in the placebo group.

Irvingia gabonensis is also an effective therapy for anyone with diabetes or cardiovascular disease. A good brand is Life Extension’s Integra-Lean Irvingia, available by calling (800) 810-6655. If you’re taking drugs for diabetes or cholesterol, monitor your blood sugar and cholesterol levels to make sure they don’t fall too low.