How This Supplement Can Reduce Cravings & Boost Metabolism
By Michele Ross •
November 9, 2020
Learn all about Counter Cravings™, our supplement to help reduce cravings and successfully manage weight. Here’s a look at the research behind it, plus insights from Maryam Tantawy, HUM’s Director of Product Marketing and Innovation.
What Is Counter Cravings?
Counter Cravings is HUM’s latest supplement to reduce cravings, boost metabolism, and support healthy weight management. The caffeine-free formulation can help address the root causes of cravings and tune into what your body really needs, ultimately encouraging better eating habits.Why We Made a Supplement to Reduce Cravings
As a brand, we’ve always championed feeling good from the inside out, which involves healthy eating. In its infancy, HUM’s primary initiative was to provide free nutrition advice to any and all who sought it. To this day, accessibility and education remain core components of our brand. Further, many fad diets and weight loss supplements are ineffective and make unsubstantiated claims. Unfortunately, some are even downright bad for your health. “We don’t believe that weight management means eating less, but rather eating more of the right things,” Maryam explains. “It was very important to incorporate this belief into Counter Cravings.” The goal with this formula, she continues, “is to allow consumers to make smarter food choices. By doing so, you’re better equipped to responsibly and healthily manage your weight.”Ingredients + Benefits
Like all other HUM supplements, Counter Cravings uses only clean, natural, non-GMO, and gluten-free ingredients. As always, they’ve been carefully selected and standardized to amounts that have shown statistically significant (positive) results in clinical research. Lastly, this caffeine-free, vegan formula has undergone extensive lab testing for quality assurance, as well as consumer research to demonstrate efficacy. Here are the star ingredients that make Counter Cravings—our supplement for metabolism and cravings—your newest dietary ally.CHROMIUM
Chromium picolinate is a form of the mineral chromium, a well-researched ingredient that boosts metabolism, balances blood sugar levels, and reduces cravings.Boosts Metabolism
First, it’s no surprise that your metabolism has a major impact on weight management. Luckily, it turns out that chromium can help speed it up. Chromium can enhance the action of insulin, a hormone necessary for the metabolism and storage of carbs, fat, and protein. Studies show that taking 1,000 micrograms of chromium daily can optimize insulin levels to benefit your metabolism and health alike. In turn, the best supplements for metabolism will include chromium at this dosage.Balances Blood Sugar
Ever notice that once you satisfy a sugar craving, it’s hard to stop indulging? It turns out that blood sugar imbalances are largely at play. “When you consume sugar, your blood sugar spikes,” Maryam begins. “When your levels drop below normal, your cravings kick in again. Your blood sugar then rebounds too quickly, and it’s hard to find balance and break the cycle.” Enter: chromium. Supplementing with it can lower fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin, which helps stabilize blood sugar for people without pre-existing conditions.Reduces Cravings
Last but not least, higher doses of chromium yield the benefit of curbing your cravings. One double-blind study tracked 113 participants who either supplemented with 600 micrograms of chromium or received a placebo. After eight weeks, the chromium group demonstrated a significant reduction in carbohydrate cravings and appetite. Another study investigated the effects of 1,000 micrograms of chromium on 42 healthy yet overweight women compared to a placebo group. The chromium control group demonstrated reduced food intake by 25 percent, as well as reduced hunger levels and fat cravings.COLEUS FORSKOHLII EXTRACT (FORSKOLIN)
Forskolin is an active compound found in the roots of Coleus forskohlii, a plant related to mint found in parts of Asia. One double-blind randomized placebo controlled study tested the effects of forskolin on 23 mildly overweight women. Participants took 250 milligrams of Coleus forskohlii standardized to 10 percent forskolin twice daily. After 12 weeks, the forskolin supplement group was able to successfully mitigate weight gain. Another 2012 study under similar controls found statistically significant results. Across 30 overweight men, the supplement group experienced a reduction in body fat percentage and fat mass, as well as an increase in lean body mass.BROWN SEAWEED EXTRACT (FUCOXANTHIN)
Fucoxanthin is an antioxidant within certain types of seaweed, including the brown seaweed extract used in Counter Cravings. A 2017 study investigating the efficacy of fucoxanthin found impressive results for weight management and body composition alike in as little as four weeks. The 50 overweight participants who took three milligrams daily experienced a reduction in body weight, body-mass index (BMI), and abdominal fat. In addition to this promising research, fucoxanthin and forskolin were appealing for use in Counter Cravings since they’re from non-stimulant, plant-based sources. “We didn’t want to use synthetic ingredients, and always aim to source ingredients that are as natural as possible,” Maryam adds.L-THEANINE
Last but not least, L-theanine is an amino acid commonly found in certain tea leaves and fungal species. It’s a revered natural solution to fight stress. L-theanine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, and can signal relaxation without the drowsiness within an hour’s time. So how does these mood-boosting benefits translate into curbing your cravings? “Blood sugar isn’t the only factor that triggers cravings. In addition, there’s often an emotional component to eating,” Maryam explains. “When stress manifests in the body, some people immediately search for unhealthy comfort food for a quick source of energy.” With this in mind, L-theanine in Counter Cravings proactively helps stabilize your mood, which in turn can rein in emotional eating.Fast Facts
Here are a few additional FYIs about Counter Cravings.Who It’s Good For
“Counter Cravings is a gentle solution for anyone who wants to take control over food cravings,” Maryam summarizes. Also, since it’s caffeine-free, Counter Cravings is safe for anyone who avoids or doesn’t react well to such stimulants.Counter Cravings vs. Skinny Bird
If you already take Skinny Bird to reach your goal weight, you might be curious as to how it differs from Counter Cravings. Simply put, Counter Cravings specifically helps reduce your carb and sugar cravings, while Skinny Bird helps control your appetite. Further, Counter Cravings has five times the amount of chromium as Skinny Bird. (Similarly, it packs ten times the amount of chromium in Ripped Rooster, our supplement to support fat burn.) We don’t recommend pairing Counter Cravings with Skinny Bird or Ripped Rooster. While a daily excess of 1,000 micrograms of chromium—the dosage in Counter Cravings—isn’t shown to be unsafe, we advise sticking to this clinically proven threshold.When to Expect Results
Of course, supplements work best when you take them consistently over time. That said, you can begin to notice fewer carb and sugar cravings after four weeks. If you’re integrating Counter Cravings with good dietary habits to support your weight management goals, you should see results after 60 days. Lastly, hear what participants in our in-house study had to say about their experience here.How to Take Counter Cravings
Take one capsule of Counter Cravings twice daily. If you need help remembering when to take it, simply incorporate it into your two primary meals. However, you can supplement with Counter Cravings with or without food throughout the day.The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a supplement to reduce cravings that gets to the root of the culprits that stand in your way, look no further than to Counter Cravings. We understand that the journey towards sustainable healthy eating habits can be challenging, yet HUM is here for you each step of the way. Note: This article isn’t intended for use as medical advice. Before adding new supplements to your routine, we advise that you consult a medical professional for guidance.More like this