Eradicate your belly fat — for eternity

If you’ve noticed that your middle is, shall we say…expanding…let’s talk.

And let’s call it what it is: belly fat. It’s a middle-age thing, but it’s also a health issue, and a serious one at that.

Among other things, belly fat increases your risk of type 2 diabetes by promoting insulin insensitivity, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

But today, I want to give you a little insight into what belly fat really is (aside from uncomfortable and unsightly) as well as why it shows up in middle-age. This vital understanding will show you how to get rid of it — so you can feel better, look better, and extend your longevity.

AMPing up your fat burners

The puzzle of belly fat — and the solution to that puzzle — is hidden in an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which is present in every cell of your body.

AMPK plays a key role in energy metabolism. It helps deliver glucose where it’s needed, puts fatty acids to work, and inhibits synthesis of dangerous triglycerides that contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

But wouldn’t you know it? AMPK activity tends to drop off as a natural part of aging, and that’s when the trouble starts. Cells become more inclined to store fat instead of burning it for energy. In time, abdominal fat accumulates.

The good news is, this trend can be turned around just by stimulating your AMPK to become more active. And for drug companies, that’s an irresistible target.

For the past decade, drug makers have been trying to create effective “AMPk activator” drugs. There’s already some evidence that the diabetes drug metformin enhances AMPK activity. Of course, metformin is a generic medication now, which means it’s not very profitable for Big Pharma. So drug companies are focused on formulating new medications in the hope of making billions on a new weight-loss and belly-busting miracle drug.

But here’s a little secret Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know…You don’t have to wait around while they continue looking for a blockbuster product to activate AMPK — because we already have a much better alternative.

The Mediterranean secret

In Dr. Michael Murray’s Natural Weight Loss Protocol, he points out that researchers have revealed two surefire ways to enhance AMPK: reduce calorie intake and exercise vigorously. It’s no coincidence that these two healthy habits also promote insulin sensitivity, which Dr. Murray calls “the most important influencer of AMPK activity.”

But when insulin resistance develops, AMPK activity drops. So doing whatever it takes to improve insulin sensitivity, he says, is the most important step in activating AMPK.

And he adds, “It is also interesting that many components of the traditional Mediterranean diet activate AMPK. In particular, olive oil, various plant pigments found in vegetables and fruits, and the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA from fish oil.

“Not surprisingly, these natural approaches hold great promise in the goal of near effortless weight loss as a result.”

To that healthy mix, he recommends adding one more step: targeted nutritional supplements. And while there are a number of natural products that activate AMPK, Dr. Murray recommends two in particular, based on outstanding evidence that they promote weight loss: alpha-lipoic acid and berberine.

Nature’s perfect antioxidant

ALA is a superior antioxidant with vitamin-like functions, but because it’s synthesized in the body it’s not classified as a vitamin.

Dr. Murray notes that ALA is often described as “nature’s perfect antioxidant” due to several unique functions, For instance, ALA:

• Works as an antioxidant in both water and fat soluble parts of the cell and cell membrane
• Regenerates other antioxidants, including vitamins E and C
• Remains active even after it neutralizes free radicals

Plus, as Dr. Murray explains, “Double-blind clinical trials in humans have demonstrated that ALA improves insulin sensitivity, blood sugar control, cardiovascular health, nerve function and lipid levels, and reduces symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

“Recent studies indicate that ALA may help to boost metabolism, promote the burning of fat as energy, reduce food intake, and therefore, potentially aid in weight loss. In one clinical trial, ALA contributed approximately 3 pounds of extra weight loss over the course of the 10 weeks.”

ALA is available in foods (spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, and organ meats), but only in low amounts, so supplementation is usually necessary in order to effectively activate AMPK and promote weight loss.

Dr. Murray recommends taking 400 to 600 mg of ALA daily. Food may reduce ALA bioavailability, so you should take it on an empty stomach or two hours after eating.

The safe herbal therapy that rivals diabetes drugs

Berberine is an alkaloid found in goldenseal root, barberry bark, Oregon grape root, and coptis (goldthread) root. And while that list of botanicals might not set your heart racing, Dr. Murray calls berberine “one of the most exciting natural products in current medical research.”

He says, “Results from clinical trials showed quite convincingly that in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, berberine (500 mg two to three times daily) along with lifestyle intervention lowered the level of fasting blood sugar levels, after-meal blood sugar levels, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) more than lifestyle intervention alone or placebo.”

In an even more impressive clinical trial, berberine was compared to the type 2 diabetes drugs metformin, glipizide, and rosiglitazone. Results showed no statistical difference in outcomes between the use of berberine and the drugs.

As for berberine’s ability to stimulate AMPK, two double-blind clinical trials stand out…

• When 500 mg of berberine was taken three times per day, participants lost an average of five pounds over 12 weeks
• Among volunteers with metabolic syndrome, 300 mg of berberine three times daily for three months prompted a drop in body mass index (BMI) from 31.5 too 27.4, along with an improvement of insulin sensitivity

At the highest doses (500 mg, three times a day) berberine does prompt side effects at times, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain. So it’s important to carefully use more modest doses at first, ideally under the supervision of a naturopathic doctor or an experienced herbalist.

Dr. Murray has even more recommendations for natural ways to stimulate AMPK and scale back belly fat in his Natural Weight Loss Protocol. You can learn more or enroll today by clicking here.