Asparagus, Gourmet Weight Loss

Asparagus is a dream come true for all those who are slimming and want to lose weight without going hungry.

return to the Bodydoctor Nutrition and Fitness Archive

Asparagus (Liliacae or Asparagus officinalis) is cultivated on a large scale as a gourmet vegetable. But it is seldom used for medicinal purposes anymore, even though its medicinal applications can be traced back thousands of years to China. In ancient Greece, the physician Dioscorides prescribed asparagus to stimulate and strengthen kidney functions, while Hippocrates, the father of medicine, gave it to his overweight patients and to all with blemished skin.

The historical use of asparagus as a home remedy has been well documented for kidney and bladder complaints, dropsy, for supporting liver functions, as well as for relieving rheumatism and gout.

The woody rootstock of asparagus is grounded deep below the surface. Early in spring, white, finger-thick shoots sprout to the surface. Asparagus stems grow up to one meter long with small, thin leaves and white blossoms, which turn into small red berries. These berries can be dried and ground into a coffee substitute. Only the root and the young shoots are medicinally valuable.

The active ingredients in asparagus are: asparagines (an acid), arginin, asparagose, chelindonic acid, conferin (a glycocide), choline, saponines, flavonoids and a vast number of minerals, most significantly potassium, as well as trace elements. All these substances act together to accelerate the metabolism - fat cells get rid of excess metabolic waste, liver function are stimulated, and the kidney and bladder get a kick-start to expel more water. Asparagine as an ingredient of asparagus is of uttermost importance for a healthy cell structure and cell renewal.

Asparagus is a dream come true for all those who are over-weight and want to lose weight without going hungry. Though one would not talk about an "asparagus diet," it is a new and safe way to support a calorie-reduced diet for shedding some pounds. By changing to a primarily vegetarian or lacto-ovo vegetarian diet supported by asparagus juice you can lose about eight pounds in two weeks.

Nature has certainly provided foods throughout the season when they are most beneficial for us. After a long winter our bodies may become sluggish, slightly overweight and loaded with toxins - it is time for house cleaning! Asparagus lends itself wonderfully to the task. For a two week diet you need about 3/4 litre asparagus juice, or four bottles if you buy the juice from a health food store. Take two tablespoons of juice in the morning and in the evening, diluted in a glass of water.