Activated carbon is natural preparation, widely used in the medical industry to detoxify the body in case of poisoning. He found his place in the fight against overweight, its use guarantees safe and sufficient fast weight loss by several kilograms. It is recommended for use by nutritionists themselves.
Description and composition of activated carbon
Pictured is activated carbon for weight loss
Activated carbon is produced by heat treatment of charcoal or coal, as well as by processing coke. Easily dissolves in water, but is most useful when consumed dry, undiluted. It comes in white and black; both types are used for weight loss.
Composed of black activated carbon includes one main substance under the same name and one additional one - potato starch. Means white consists of powdered sugar, cellulose, silicon dioxide and the same starch.
Available in tablet or powder form. Its taste is very specific, bitter and unpleasant. After taking activated carbon for weight loss, tooth enamel turns dark.
The most common form of release is tablets, which are what are sold in pharmacies. Their shape is round, their size is standard, up to 1 cm in diameter. There is a mark on the surface for dividing into two parts. The powder can be purchased mainly in online stores, most often it is offered to be purchased in bulk.
The drug is produced by many companies. In Russia, tablets from PFK “Obnovlenie”, from the companies “Aklen”, “Pharmstandard” and “Uralbiopharm” are popular. Activated carbon prices are very low, average cost is 30 rubles.
In Ukraine, tablets from Farmakom, Astrapharm, Ilan Pharm and Fitosorb-Active are in high demand. They cost about 10 UAH. for 10 pcs. You don't need a prescription to buy them.
Activated carbon has a long shelf life - up to 3 years from the date of production, and does not require special storage conditions either in the refrigerator or in the closet. The main thing is to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
Beneficial properties of activated carbon for weight loss
The main property of this drug is its adsorbing, that is, it is a kind of vacuum cleaner that binds, sucks in and removes toxins, harmful substances, and heavy metal salts.
Along with this happens slag splitting, which the body also subsequently gets rid of. As a result, intestinal function improves, normal metabolism is restored and optimal conditions for weight loss are created.
Activated carbon tablets are excellent at absorbing water., the excess of which in the body contributes to weight gain. When you get rid of them, your weight naturally returns to normal. This is also facilitated by the restoration of broken stools, improved digestion, and normalization of appetite.
The benefits of activated carbon include: lowering cholesterol levels, which is one of the factors in the development of obesity. A large amount of this substance is detected in almost every overweight person.
It is difficult to achieve weight loss with charcoal alone; it is not a fat-burning agent, but only prepares the body. Without physical activity and proper nutrition will not make much sense in taking the medicine. The manufacturers of this product do not mention in the instructions about the possibility of using it to get rid of excess weight, which is a natural response to detoxification.
- Read about activated carbon
Contraindications to taking activated carbon when losing weight
The drug is safe for health if dosages are observed.
In case of abuse they may experience constipation, abdominal pain, nausea and other symptoms of intoxication. With prolonged use, hypovitaminosis often develops, the reason for this is the leaching from the body of not only harmful, but also useful substances. This is also due to a possible violation of the absorption of vitamins from the gastrointestinal tract.
Contraindications for losing weight with activated carbon include the following:
- Internal bleeding. Most often they occur due to advanced gastric ulcers, severe gastritis and colitis. Such problems also arise in people with hemorrhoids, due to a violation of the integrity of the nodes. Bleeding can also result from the development of gum disease.
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract. It is not recommended to lose weight with activated carbon if you have gastritis, colitis, or pancreatitis. You should wait to take it if you have dysbacteriosis due to already disturbed intestinal microflora.
- Avitaminosis. This is a disease caused by a lack of various vitamins in food over a long period of time. It most often manifests itself in the form of nausea, dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, irritability, and itching of the skin. In this case, you should not drink activated carbon because it can lead to impaired absorption of nutrients and aggravate the situation.
- Pregnancy. The drug is not recommended for use at any stage, especially after 6 months of bearing a child and if there is a threat of pregnancy failure. Its use is justified only if the health benefits outweigh the harm, but even in this case, the duration of the course should not exceed 5 days.
- Crohn's disease. This is a gastroenterological disease associated with inflammation of all parts of the gastrointestinal tract - the walls of the stomach, intestines, and pancreas. Most often it develops in people aged 15-35 years.
The drug should be given with caution for the purpose of weight loss children under 14 years old.
Before taking charcoal for weight loss, you should stop the course of treatment with contraceptives, medications for the heart and blood vessels, which are incompatible with each other. Otherwise, its effectiveness may be significantly reduced and the results will be less impressive. The explanation for this is the deterioration in the absorption of the drug from the stomach.
Before starting the course, it is recommended to consult a doctor who will rule out possible contraindications. It is also important to check whether you have an individual intolerance to the components of the drug in order to avoid an allergic reaction.
Important! Even after a single dose of the drug, the stool turns black, partially or completely. This is a normal reaction and does not require medical intervention.
Instructions for taking activated carbon for weight loss
The photo shows how to take activated charcoal for weight loss
A weight loss course with activated carbon should last no more than 2 weeks; if necessary, it can be repeated after a break of 2-3 months.
Ways to take activated carbon for weight loss:
- The daily dosage of activated carbon is determined at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight, for example, if it is 60 kg, then you will need to take 6 pieces. However, it should not exceed 7 tablets, otherwise it can cause intoxication. At the very beginning of the course, in the first 2-3 days, this norm should be reduced by 2 times so that the body gets used to the drug. You need to drink it on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. After this, at least 2 hours must pass before eating.
- You can also take 2 tablets three times a day, regardless of body weight. This should be done 1-2 hours before meals so that the drug dissolves and binds all toxins in the intestines.
- If you are taking powder rather than tablets, then daily norm equals 0.5 tsp. per 10 kg of weight.
Regardless of the release form, according to reviews of activated carbon for weight loss, the medicine should not be dissolved in juice, kefir, milk and other drinks. Even water is not an exception, you just need to drink it with it, and it should be clean, a little warm and still non-carbonated. Usually it takes more than 1 glass to eliminate the unpleasant aftertaste.
While taking the drug, it is very important to avoid fatty, high-calorie foods. Before you start drinking charcoal for weight loss, it is important to exclude fried and smoked foods from the menu, and reduce the amount of sweets and starchy foods.
It is recommended to eat more raw vegetables and fruits, especially those rich in fiber - apples, pears, apricots, peaches, cabbage, pumpkin, cucumbers, tomatoes. This will speed up the removal of toxins from the intestines, which has a beneficial effect on the fight against excess weight.
If possible, you should play sports - ride a bike, run, swim, exercise gym or at least go to yoga.
In 2 weeks of taking the drug, if all conditions are met, you can lose 2-5 kg, depending on the individual characteristics body. The results will be improved if you drink about 1.5 liters of water per day, drink green tea, which has fat-burning properties, and in addition to this, perform various wraps.
Real reviews about losing weight with activated carbon
IN lately appeared huge amount in various ways losing weight. However, many of them are very unsafe for health. But there are also those that have been based on the technique for a long time known means. All larger number people want to know how to lose weight with activated charcoal. In fact, this method of losing weight is based on slightly different principles than many diets that have been so popular lately.
How did this method of losing weight come about?
Many people think about how to lose weight without harm to their health. This is why there is such increased interest in activated carbon. In medicine, this remedy is considered practically safe. True, provided that it is prescribed and taken correctly. To answer the question of whether activated charcoal helps you lose weight, you need to understand how this method of losing excess weight arose in the first place.
Various types of traditional healers are involved in the popularization of this medicine. It was they who began to present the use of activated carbon as effective way lose weight. Moreover, they are convinced that this method of combating excess weight is very ancient. But many nutritionists assure us: eat right to lose weight. In their opinion, consuming activated carbon in large quantities can even harm a person. As a rule, this drug is recommended for use as a cleanser to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract of waste and toxins.
The healing properties of coal
People who ask how to lose weight with activated carbon are confident that this natural remedy not only helps to reduce excess body weight, but can also normalize the functioning of the human digestive system. The widespread use of this drug is facilitated by its over-the-counter availability and reasonable price. It is well known that activated carbon is used as a filter for the body, removing harmful substances from it. It is effective for poisoning, infections, allergies, toxicosis, diarrhea, and liver diseases.
If a person is thinking about how to lose weight with activated carbon, he should know that this product has the following properties:
Promotes the elimination of toxins, which is accompanied by an increase in energy in the body;
Quickly absorbed;
Neutralizes up to 60% of various harmful substances that enter the body;
Effective for bloating and diarrhea (it is taken for flatulence);
Normalizes acidity levels;
Helps slow down the aging process in the body, as a result of which a noticeable rejuvenating effect is observed after taking it.
The essence of such weight loss
According to adherents of this method of losing weight and some traditional healers, activated carbon can reduce a person’s weight by cleansing his body and removing “excess” fluid from it. At the same time, metabolic processes are normalized. How to lose weight with activated carbon? Today, several methods of taking this drug for weight loss are known.
Method of increasing dosage
This method is one of the most popular. The dosage of activated carbon is increased gradually until it reaches a ratio of 1 tablet/10 kg of weight. Regular weighing will be required to ensure proper intake. Start using this product with only 3 tablets, and then increase their quantity to the norm, calculated individually for each person. So, a person whose weight is 80 kg should drink 8 tablets at a time per day. Then they take a break for a week, after which they repeat taking the drug again.
Method of breakdown into receptions
Having calculated the rate of use of tablets, as described above, a person should take them not once a day, but divided into 3 doses. Activated carbon is drunk 0.5 hours before meals. The duration of the course is 10 days. If there are no side effects, you can repeat the course of taking this drug after a week.
Extreme method
This method of losing weight is considered the most extreme. With it, any person drinks 10 tablets of activated charcoal on an empty stomach. You can divide their quantity into 3 doses (4 in the morning, 3 each at lunch and dinner). Each tablet must be divided into several parts and dissolved in a small amount of water. The course of taking coal is 10 days. After a week, it can be repeated (but no more than 3 times in a row).
Negative effects of taking activated carbon
Many people believe that since activated carbon is natural remedy, it can be taken almost uncontrollably. In fact, excessive use of this drug helps remove from the body not only waste and toxins, but also useful substances such as vitamins and microelements. And this is fraught with deterioration of the condition of the skin, hair loss, brittle nails and other problems.
Reception large quantity Activated carbon is almost always accompanied by constipation, which significantly worsens the quality of life and does not contribute to the process of losing weight.
Precautions
While taking this medication in large quantities, you must take complex vitamins. To prevent constipation, you should use mild laxatives. Regular consumption of foods such as bran, cabbage, melon, apples, prunes, kefir, leafy greens, and plums also contributes to the normal process of bowel movements.
So does activated charcoal help with weight loss or not?
On the Internet there are often advertisements with photographs that show, as the captions say, people who have lost weight - before and after taking this product. According to these images, the results of using activated charcoal are amazing. In fact, there is no clear opinion about its effectiveness. Some experts claim that activated carbon binds and removes from the human body not only harmful (toxins, wastes), but also nutrients, coming from food. This property helps slow down their absorption by the body. It is on this principle that the method of using it for weight loss is based.
Other experts believe that despite the excellent absorbent properties of activated carbon, it cannot be used to significantly lose weight. Many people seek to increase the effect of using this remedy by reducing food intake. At the same time, they achieve noticeable results in losing weight, but their body experiences in this case stress and lack of energy. In the future, if you abandon such a diet and switch to a normal diet, body weight is quickly restored, as the body tries to make up for the lost kilograms. That is why nutritionists advise not to torture yourself, but to reduce portion sizes and increase the frequency of meals. Thus, split 5-6 meals a day can be much more effective than any diet.
White coal for weight loss
White coal (silicon dioxide) is a new product on the medical market that has quickly gained popularity among people. It costs much more than its traditional counterpart, but its efficiency is much higher. Its action begins much faster than black activated carbon. When choosing this method of losing weight for a day, you must completely refuse food and drink only non-carbonated drinks. plain water. On the second day, white charcoal tablets are crushed and 0.5 cups of water are added. Take this remedy on an empty stomach 0.5 hours before meals.
When losing weight using white coal, you should not eat yeast products in the first 2 days. Food should be light. Its amount should be reduced compared to the usual human diet. The weight loss course begins from Friday to Saturday (weekends).
Dosage: body weight up to 60 kg - 5 tablets; up to 70 kg - 8 tablets; up to 80 kg - 10 tablets. If your weight exceeds 80 kg, you should take 12 tablets daily.
Weight loss result
Most people who know how to lose weight with activated carbon note the following positive results from using this product:
Increased vitality;
General health;
Improving the color and condition of the skin;
Improves mood.
By reducing the caloric content of the diet with the help of such cleansing of the body, you can lose up to several kilograms (5-10) in a month. But do not forget that activated carbon is still a medicine. And you need to treat it like a medicine - with caution.
Dietary nutrition based on minerals is not new for a long time. And the activated carbon diet is one of the most interesting schemes using minerals to lose weight. In our article we will look at weekly menu, indications and contraindications, as well as reviews from real people.
How coal works
It must be said right away that a diet using activated charcoal does not burn fat, as they claim. promotions. It acts by removing toxins from the body, normalizing the process of bowel movements and cleansing the body of toxins.
According to the developers of this principle of nutrition, the main problem of all overweight people is the lack of complete removal of the results of human life activity from the body, this means that if you regularly cleanse the body of these products, you can lose weight and improve metabolism.
How to take activated charcoal for weight loss
A diet using activated carbon can be carried out according to the following scheme:
- 1 tablet per 10 kilograms of weight before meals;
- 10 tablets before meals, increasing the dosage;
- 6 tablets before meals.
Any of the options suggested above are very effective. The only difference is the time of the procedure. If you use a diet according to scheme 1, then we drink activated charcoal in three courses of 7 days each and with 7-day breaks between them.
Calculating coal for the second diet is somewhat more complicated. After each day of taking the tablets, we add two more pieces; you need to stop when you reach 30 tablets at a time. The course lasts for up to 12 days, after which a break is taken, if necessary, repeat in a week.
Dosage in latest version For everyone, it’s the same - anyone losing weight at any weight drinks 6 tablets of the mineral. Duration is a week, after which a two-week break is required.
Photo - Activated carbon in different states If you want to quickly lose weight and not gain back your kilograms, then you need to combine charcoal nutrition with dietary nutrition. For example, activated carbon is very good option remove from 4 to 6 kilograms in a week. You don’t change your diet, just before each meal you drink charcoal according to the chosen scheme, and after eating a glass of water with vinegar. This diet continues for a week, after a break.
As you know, fruit acids also burn fat, remove old fat deposits and cellulite. As an option, a diet with grapes and activated carbon. The principle of nutrition is simple - every day in the morning on an empty stomach we drink 6 tablets of charcoal, have breakfast, after meals we eat a bunch of grapes, and we also eat them at night. This nutrition can be delayed for a month if necessary, but the first results will become visible within a week.
But there is also a strict activated carbon diet from Valeria, which allows you to lose 5 kg in a week. Free consultation on proper nutrition And weekly menu which involves a buckwheat diet with kefir and activated carbon:
- Morning - on an empty stomach, 10 tablets of charcoal, after tea, coffee without sugar (sweetener allowed), a piece of wholemeal bread, low-fat cheese; lunch – buckwheat without seasoning, orange juice; for dinner we drink a glass of kefir;
- Morning – charcoal, green tea, boiled egg; lunch – boiled vegetables of your choice and buckwheat, washed down with coffee; dinner – kefir and 100 grams of boiled chicken;
- On the third day, the diet for weight loss with activated carbon repeats the breakfast of the first day, for lunch - boiled chicken fillet, buckwheat and orange or grapefruit juice; for dinner, boiled potatoes (2 pieces) with garlic and kefir;
- The end of diets is near, it’s time to gradually get out of it, today you can have coal, bread and cheese in the morning; for lunch we cook lean fish and buckwheat (of course, without salt); dinner - favorite kefir;
- We repeat the first day, you can have a drink for dinner;
- Today, a little butter is allowed for breakfast; don’t forget to drink charcoal before meals. For lunch we cook buckwheat and prepare a vegetable salad (you can season it with a drop of olive oil), for dinner - kefir or yogurt;
- On the last day we have breakfast with charcoal, cheese and wholemeal bread, with tea or coffee without sugar (honey and sweetener can be used). At lunch we stew vegetables and eat them with boiled buckwheat, for dinner we drink a glass of kefir, you can eat a small piece of bread.
Remember, the activated carbon diet is not only about excellent results in short terms, but also a lot of stress for the body and before taking pills, be sure to consult your doctor.
Video: Controversies of the Activated Carbon Diet
Black activated carbon will help you lose weight, say the authors of an unusual technique based on taking this medicinal product. Will your hopes for a cure for your gastrointestinal disorder come true? Our article is about the benefits of coal, its dangers and contraindications, as well as ways to lose weight with its help.
Activated carbon - benefits for weight loss: detoxification and cleansing of the body
In order to understand what coal is, just open the instructions. It turns out that the drug is a powerful sorbent. The surface of the carbon tablet is porous, like a sponge, which allows it to absorb many harmful substances in the body. These are drug residues, viruses, fat breakdown products, toxins, toxic elements.
In the instructions, activated carbon is stated as a medicine for poisoning, various infections body, allergies. This is a kind of filter that collects all the dirt in the body and removes it.
Thus, coal performs the following functions.
- Cleansing from toxic substances. The drug absorbs and removes up to 60% of poisons from the body.
- Produces detoxification of the body, which results in increased body tone.
- Solves the problems of diarrhea, bloating, flatulence.
- Helps preserve youth, rejuvenates body cells.
- Constant use of tablets has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
- Controls the level of “bad” cholesterol, which has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart and brain, and the vascular network.
- By “capturing” and removing pathogenic microbes, coal fights viruses and allergic reactions.
IMPORTANT: Being a strong sorbent, activated carbon absorbs not only harmful substances, but also useful ones - vitamins and microelements. Taking the drug regularly, in addition to healing cleansing, you will subject your body to vitamin and mineral depletion.
Safe weight loss with activated carbon: the effects of carbon on the body
Majority fat people experiences problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which the drug successfully solves. Normal bowel movements are the key to healthy weight loss, say the authors of the program.
Important: Intestinal dysfunction in people who eat improperly causes intoxication of the body and accumulation of toxins. Such garbage reduces body tone, slows down metabolism, and does not allow a person to lose weight. Charcoal absorbs and removes waste and toxins.
What materials are used to make black tablets with a porous surface? The drug is made from coal and charcoal, animal bones, and nut shells. Thus, coal is a completely natural preparation, which means it will not cause harm to the body. Follow the weight loss instructions, observe the dosages, do not forget about contraindications - and charcoal will help you lose 5-10 kg per course. These are the assurances of the authors of this technique.
IMPORTANT: According to research, activated carbon does not remove fat itself from the body, but only toxins and waste. Indirectly, this helps to lose several kilograms: intestinal function is normalized, regular bowel movements are established, a cleansed body accelerates metabolism and spends more energy even at rest. But the drug has no effect on the reduction of adipose tissue.
How to really lose weight with black coal? Experts do not belittle the cleansing effect of tablets on the body. But in order for the weight to really start moving, you need to reconsider your diet and increase your calorie consumption, in other words, lead a more active lifestyle. Taking charcoal in short courses will help you lose weight with its cleansing and normalizing effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
Who should not use activated carbon: contraindications
Coal is contraindicated for:
- pregnancy;
- bleeding in the intestinal area or a tendency to it;
- ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract;
- gastritis;
- constipation
You should be careful when taking oral contraceptives and other medications. Tablets are not recommended for serious eating disorders, such as abuse of fatty foods, regular overeating, etc.
IMPORTANT: Before starting the course, undergo a medical examination and consult with your doctor. A contraindication to frequent intake of coal is also a predisposition to gastritis and peptic ulcers, which in ordinary life may not show up at all.
Side effects of taking the drug.
- Coal slows down peristalsis, as a result of which constipation is inevitable with its constant use.
- With a long course, the tablets will remove vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and other important substances from the body.
- The drug injures the intestinal walls. This occurs when consuming coal for more than 10 days in a row or frequently repeating 7-10-day courses.
- Regular use of the medication reduces the effectiveness of other pharmacological agents.
Recipe No. 1 - express method of losing weight with activated carbon
Since charcoal slows down peristalsis, quick way weight loss is based on an express diet that enhances peristalsis. This technique was proposed by nutritionist Irina Belskaya.
The diet lasts 3 days. Every day you need to take a certain number of tablets, which depends on your weight. The daily amount of coal will be 1 tablet per 10 kg of your weight. With a weight of 70 kg, the daily norm is 7 tablets. Divide this amount into 3 approximately equal portions (3 and twice 2) and take before meals.
IMPORTANT: Taking charcoal before your regular breakfast, lunch and dinner will not be effective. The nutritionist recommends a special diet, in combination with which charcoal will perform all its beneficial functions.
Quick diet menu with activated carbon for 3 days
- First day for you will pass under the sign of kefir. Divide a liter of this product into 3 servings, these will be your meals. 30 minutes before each glass of kefir, drink black charcoal tablets with 200 ml of clean drinking water.
- Second day you eat only apples - excellent dietary fruits that are full of valuable elements for a person losing weight. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are one large apple, before using which you must drink a portion of the charcoal preparation.
- Third day Your diet includes vegetable dishes. Cut salads seasoned with fermented milk drinks, or steam them without adding oil. 30 minutes before a meal - a portion of tablets with a glass of still water.
IMPORTANT: Even if you were able to maintain a three-day diet without effort, stop and take a break. A repeat course is possible no earlier than 10 days later.
Recipe No. 2 - reduce your weight smoothly with activated carbon: instructions for use
A long-term weight loss course with activated carbon lasts from 10 to 30 days. You start by taking 1 tablet before each meal to prepare your body for the effects of activated charcoal. You get 3 tablets a day.
The next day, you add 1 more tablet to one of your meals.
So, increasing daily norm for 1 tablet, bring the daily volume of coal to 10 units. Dividing this amount into equal portions, drink charcoal before each meal three times a day.
Monitor how your body feels and stop the diet as soon as you notice a deterioration in your health. Before you go on a diet, find out about your individual contraindications to taking charcoal by visiting your doctor.
After analyzing the reviews of those losing weight, we can conclude that a weight loss program based on activated carbon does not bring the promised results. There is no talk of losing 5-10 kilograms unless you change your diet and exercise. The whole point is that
the drug does not fight fat deposits. A slight plumbing occurs as a result of cleansing the body of “garbage” such as waste and toxins, as well as the removal excess liquid.
awaits you getting rid of swelling, normalization of gastrointestinal function tract, general improvement due to detoxification, Maybe , mood improvement. This is where the miracles of activated carbon, as a rule, end.
In combination with a change in diet and an increase in physical activity, charcoal will really help with weight loss as an auxiliary element.
Video: Activated carbon for weight loss. Is it possible to lose weight with activated carbon or is it a scam?
Due to the fact that activated carbon has a porous structure, which increases the “working” area, it quickly absorbs substances from its environment. When taking this medicine, the intestines are freed from accumulated gases, and various harmful substances and toxins are eliminated from the body.
The main ways to use activated carbon for weight loss
Method number 1: take 1 tablet of activated carbon for every 10 kilograms of weight. For example, if you weigh 80 kilograms, you need 8 tablets per day. Take all the tablets at once in the morning before meals or divide them into 3 doses. Start taking the drug with 3 tablets per day, gradually increasing this amount. The course of cleansing is 2 weeks, after which take a break for 1 week.Method No. 2: start taking the drug with 1 tablet per day and increase by 1 tablet with each subsequent day. Increase the number of tablets until you are taking 10 tablets daily. Then start the “countdown” - now reduce the number of tablets you take by 1 every day. Take no more than 4 tablets at a time, so break them into small portions. The course of cleansing is 10 days, after which take a break for 1 week.
If desired, balance your diet and exercise actively. Only under this condition will you be able to achieve the desired results.
Contraindications to taking activated carbon
Despite the fact that activated carbon for and removal of toxins - effective remedy, he, like many other medicinal drugs, has. Thanks to its porous structure, this drug neutralizes not only harmful, but also beneficial substances - vitamins and microelements. In addition, activated carbon can neutralize the effect of some medications, for example, syrups and oral medications. Taking coal can also lead to such an unpleasant consequence as the occurrence of.People suffering from any violations of the integrity of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract - ulcerative colitis, intestinal and duodenal ulcers, as well as in the presence of bleeding localized in the digestive organs - should avoid using activated charcoal for weight loss.