Goodbye, fat body! Round out 2003 with five totally new tricks for getting rid of that gut, courtesy of the MF Science Lab®

SOME ADVANCES IN modern civilization simply aren't worth getting excited over. The dual-cassette car stereo, for instance, was a letdown. As were pantaloons. But make no mistake--these fat-loss tips don't fall into that category.

GREEN TEA RAISES METABOLISM

A Swiss research team discovered an increase in energy expenditure--more calories burned during the same amount of activity--among men taking green-tea extract with 50 milligrams of caffeine, or a few cups of green tea itself. Both raise metabolic rates and rev up fat oxidation.

HIGH-QUALITY PROTEIN BURNS FAT

Findings by the University of Illinois suggest that a diet favoring proteins rich in leucine--an amino acid that helps maintain muscle mass, enabling the body to burn more calories--boosts weight loss. These foods include beef, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.

EAT GOOD FAT AND YOU'LL BURN MORE OF IT

A University of Wisconsin study found that the body bums off heart-healthy monounsaturated fats such as olive, nut, and avocado oils three to five times faster than the saturated fats found in meat, dairy, and processed foods.

NEW HIGH-TECH OIL TAKES OFF POUNDS

Scientists at Montreal's McGill University have invented a new blend of metabolism-boosting cooking oil that is directed toward the liver for combustion and is burned for energy rather than being stored in the body as fat. Keep an eye out; it should be on supermarket shelves soon.

CAFFEINE BEFORE CARDIO BURNS CALORIES

In Osaka, Japan, researchers are supporting the notion that caffeine consumption before cardio training helps burn more energy. Subjects who consumed at least 300 milligrams of caffeine two hours before a 30-minute ride on a stationary bike burned a significantly greater number of calories than did their caffeine-free counterparts.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Weider Publications
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