Obesity is a global phenomenon, it is increasing worldwide at an astonishing pace but it has been a recent outbreak (30 years). Developing countries, where malnutrition and obesity coexist, are also affected. In some of these newly industrialized countries the health authorities may have to cope with both an epidemic of obesity and an increase of malnutrition in a part of the population.

Obesity is a common multi-factorial disease, its treatment is primarily based on changing eating habits often with food restrictions, a diet and behavior change, unfortunately, it often results in a failure. Plants or plant extracts can help to lose weight, build weight loss and win the fight against the complications of obesity and overweight.

According to WHO (World Health Organization) studying obesity as well as malnutrition, obesity can be simply defined as a disease in which excess fat has accumulated until having adverse effects for health. However, the amount of excess fat, its distribution in the body and health disorders associated with it show considerable variation from one subject to another obese.

The average man "normal" has 10 to 15% fat (we speak of obesity when the mass is greater than 15%) in women "normal", there are 20 to 25% fat ( obesity = more than 25%). There are several ways to estimate the percentage of body fat. In adults, a simple and universal way to achieve it, is to estimate body mass index (or BMI) with two measures very easy to get; the weight and size.

Body mass index (BMI) is equal to the ratio of weight to the square of height (P / T ²: W = weight in kg, T = the height in meters). A BMI below 18.5 means you are too skinny. It is too big when the BMI is above 25 in men and 27 for women. It is obese when BMI exceeds 30 in both sexes. Obesity is severe (morbid) when BMI exceeds 40.

For example, for a size of 1.75 m and weighing 67 kg, BMI = 67 / 1.75 x 1.75 = 21.8;
the weight is perfectly normal. Another example for a size of 1, 75 and weighing 85 kg, BMI = 85 / 1.75 x 1.75 = 27; the weight is too high. This index has points of weakness and must be "interpreted", inter alia by age, ethnicity and the musculature of the subject.

A very muscular person, with a strong bone structure, may have a high BMI without real overweight. The percentage of body fat physiologically increases with age until 60-65 years, it should be relevant to estimate the degree of obesity or overweight. To illustrate the differences between ethnic groups for the same weight let's take the example of Polynesian who has a lower percentage of fat than European.

On the contrary, an Aborigine in Australia (big and small) can be considered overweight for a body mass index equal to 22-23, an index which is normal for a European. Body mass index is not used in children. It is necessary to refer to tables of growth to assess whether or not overweight or obesity in children. To fight against obesity and overweight, first of all, it is necessary to reduce calories by following a diet and increase caloric expenditure (thermogenesis, physical activity).

To lose weight more easily and more quickly we can use synthetic drugs, medicinal plants or plant extracts which decrease appetite, inhibiting intestinal absorption, which increases thermogenesis (fat-burning). Last of all, it can be opted for surgery that will alter the digestive system in order to limit the food absorption but this intervention remains fairly risky.

Herbal therapy remains the safer solution to lose weight. It acts by progressively reducing your appetite. Even though the sugar level is normal, herbs powder in capsule works to make your brain believe that there is enough sugar in the blood. Obviously, it does not deprive you of required nutrition. Signals that you are satiated arouse from your brain and your voracious appetite is therefore controlled.