The lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic perennial. This plant has white flowers with light green leaves and grows throughout the tropical regions of Asia and the Middle East. Known by many other names including the sacred lotus, Indian lotus, Chinese arrowroot, and Egyptian bean, it has an extensive history. In fact, the sacred lotus has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years.

 

The entire lotus plant has been used in Chinese medicine for treating everything from diarrhea to bleeding ulcers. Lotus leaves were also highly regarded as a weight-loss cure, as the plant is a diuretic. One of the main functions of the lotus leaf plant is to stop bleeding associated with excessive menstruation, hemorrhoids, and vomiting of blood. All parts of the plant can be used as an astringent and cardio tonic. In addition, lotus is employed as a treatment for mushroom poisoning..

 

Dried lotus leaf is available at many herbal shops. Additionally, the plant can be found in pill, powder, and capsule form. Lotus is considered safe and has no known negative side effects.

A lot of studies done on fat loss in general are limited to studies done on rats. As you may or may not know, rat’s metabolisms are profoundly different from humans. For instance they are primarily grain eating animals. Their metabolism is built to function exquisitely when starches are their primary source of energy. What science has found (and yet continues to ignore in my opinion) is that rats fed a high fat diet tend to blow up into porkers. But this isn’t a useful model for humans because our metabolism is actually built to most effectively live off fats. A moderate amount of starch is ok but our real problems surface when we over-consume starchy foods.  But rats make for easy and cheap labor so the studies continue in that fashion.

 

But this study is different. It’s one step closer to more accurate information on how certain supplements (in this case L-Carnitine and Lotus Leaf extract) affect fat loss and prevent fat gain. Unfortunately it is in-vitro (done in isolati0n using fat cells in a petri dish) rather than in vivo (in a real-life living human). The results can be misleading at times because it has isolated the effect rather than looking at a real-world situation. Nonetheless this treatment shows promise so I thought I’d explain it a little more.

 

Scientists have found that Lotus Leaf possesses two distinct abilities that may lead to effective treatment of obesity. One is that it increases lipolysis, which means that it encourages fat cells to release fat. This is useful for someone who is actively exercising and consuming a caloric deficit (on a diet). By releasing fat from storage, the body can then utilize that fat for energy rather than continuing to store it.

The other beneficial effect Lotus Leaf has on fat loss is that it prevents adipogenesis. Actually that’s not completely accurate – what it does is prevents triglyceride accumulation during adipogenesis. Simply put, when our body gets the signal that there’s an overabundance of energy available in the body, it goes about making NEW FAT CELLS. During that process triglycerides (a fancy term for fat) are created from glucose and other fatty acids. Lotus leaf prevents this.

The lotus has historically played an important role in both the religion and medicine of many cultures. According to Plant Cultures, the lotus "has been held sacred in Asia and the Middle East for over 5,000 years." Texts from India dated to the 11th and 12th centuries discuss meals that feature lotus leaves. The resilient plant was considered a symbol of immortality for the ancient Egyptians who also made use of it in their diet.

The long history and varied claims have led to extensive research on the potential use of lotus leaf. According to a study in "Nutrition & Metabolism," lotus leaf extract, when combined with L-carnitine, "might represent a treatment option for obesity-related diseases." The mixture was shown to prevent adipogenesis, the formation of fatty tissue. Research conducted by Japanese scientists had similar results. The study monitored the effects of lotus leaf extract on obese mice for five weeks. The results showed that lotus leaf slowed the absorption of fat and carbohydrates, increased energy expenditure and accelerated lipid metabolism. Lotus leaf also prevented the increase of body weight.

The appropriate dose of lotus depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for lotus. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

There is a lack of research regarding the effects of lotus leaf in pregnant women and it should be avoided. Lotus leaf may cause gastrointestinal irritation. Lotus leaf may increase the risk of bleeding and should not be used in conjunction with blood thinners, including aspirin. Consult your doctor before beginning treatment.