A study appearing in the journal Obesity stated that when fed epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), mice gained weight 45 percent slower, even when given a high-fat diet.

EGCG is a substance derived from green tea leaves, and previous studies have identified it as a powerful antioxidant. The new investigation added that it seems to boost health by preventing the absorption of some fats in the digestive tract.

Researchers estimated that a human would have to drink 10 cups of green tea to match the amount given to mice relative to their size. Still, even a few cups of the beverage or an herbal supplement may reduce inflammation and prevent excess weight gain, the team said.

"Human data – and there's not a lot at this point – shows that tea drinkers who only consume one or more cups a day will see effects on body weight compared to nonconsumers," co-author Joshua Lambert noted.

Scientists at Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine recently determined that the neurons of individuals who restrict their caloric intake undergo a process called "autophagy," in which the cells actually consume a portion of themselves.

The team said that this effect leads the agouti-related peptide (AgRO) neurons to produce fatty acids, which result in the production of more AgRP. This compound instantiates the hunger response in the brain, leaving the individual feeling famished.

This may mean that maintaining adequate levels of vitamins and minerals in the blood is as important, if not more so, when dieting as when eating regularly sized meals.

Individuals who hope to get ample amounts of nutrients with meals of any calorie level may consider looking into nutritional supplements and multivitamins.

The compound found in red wine, among other sources, is called resveratrol, and scientists are excited about its potential as an antioxidant and all-around health-promoting substance.

Recently, a researcher at Spain's University of the Basque Country published a report linking the consumption of resveratrol to improvements in triglyceride levels and body fat percentage among humans and laboratory animals.

Specifically, the author noted that participants fed a resveratrol-rich diet displayed more lipolysis, or gradual breakdown of fat cells into triglycerides and then into fatty acids and smaller molecules, compared to those fed unenriched fare.

For individuals looking to add resveratrol to their daily food intake, red and purple berries contain ample amounts of the substance, as do red wine – which should be consumed in limited quantities – and dietary supplements.

Arrate Lasa, a researcher at the University of the Basque Country, Spain, recently wrote that resveratrol appears to reduce fat stores in the human body, especially when compared to a molecule found in many meat and dairy products called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Lasa noted that CLA did not appreciably diminish fat stores when injected into laboratory hamsters. However, resveratrol did, particularly when combined with a low-calorie diet.

Previous studies have associated moderate red wine intake with a lowered risk of heart disease. Resveratrol has also been found to have the potential to lower blood sugar naturally. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University also states that resveratrol has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in laboratory settings.

Since most health authorities do not recommend heavy drinking, taking herbal supplements that contain resveratrol may confer all the benefits of the compound.

A study conducted at the University of Missouri found that oil distilled from the Sterculia foetida plant appears to block an enzyme in the human body linked to insulin resistance.

In North America, the plant is found mainly in Puerto Rico, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its resin gives of a pungent odor, hence its name, which is derived from the Roman god of fertilization and manure, Sterquilinus, and the Latin word for "stinking," fetidus.

Regardless of the plant's smell, its oil may help the overweight slim down. Researchers added sterculic oil to the feed of laboratory rodents, and after 12 weeks the team found that those who consumed the oil had less body fat than their peers.

To get plenty of essential oils and vegetable-based nutrients, individuals of all ages may consider taking herbal supplements or a daily multivitamin.

This is because healthier eating habits and regular exercise helps diabetics properly maintain their blood glucose levels, which is needed to stave off heart and diabetes-related complications.

For the research, a total of 5,145 people who were overweight and had diabetes were enrolled in a four-year trial. Of the participants, approximately 2,570 followed a healthy diet and exercise regimen, while the remaining group participated in diabetes support programs, focused on healthy eating and physical activity.

The researchers discovered that the lifestyle intervention group had better weight, fitness and blood sugar improvements than the support group. Furthermore, these individuals were less likely to suffer from heart-related problems.

The team concluded that further research will be needed to better understand the cardiovascular risks between these two types of groups.

The authors concluded that "there may be long-term beneficial effects from the four-year period in which intensive lifestyle intervention participants have been exposed to lower cardiovascular disease risk factors, as seen in other clinical trials."

Individuals interested in foods that could help prevent cardiovascular and diabetes symptoms may consider eating fruits, whole grains and nuts, which are all high sources of antioxidants. This type of nutrient can help rid the body of free radicals that can complicate these health issues.

A form of cancer that causes damage to the lining of the uterus, endometrial cancer can develop and spread at a faster rate if a female patient is obese or overweight.

During a recent study, researchers from the Georgetown University Medical Center used mice that were genetically altered to be obese and at a greater risk of the disease. In order to determine if this nutrient would benefit the animals, one group was fed a vitamin D diet and another group a diet without the nutrient.

The results showed that those who consumed the vitamin D diet had a 25 percent lower risk of developing endometrial cancer, while the nutrient-free group was 67 percent more likely to suffer from the disease.

Leena Hilakivi-Clarke, lead author of the trial, stated that "vitamin D has been shown to be helpful in a number of cancers, but for endometrial cancer, our study suggests it protects only against cancer that develops due to obesity." She added that "still, if these results are confirmed in women, use of vitamin D may be a wonderfully simple way to reduce endometrial cancer risk."

Vitamin D intake may prevent osteoporosis and other bone-related problems.

For the study, a total of 772 European families were analyzed. Overall, 938 overweight adults and 827 children participated – 45 percent of whom were overweight. For two months, the adults were assigned to an 800 calorie-per-day diet. These individuals were then randomly assigned to one of five different diets – two of which were high protein, two that were considered low-protein and a control diet – that they followed for six months. The children were not assigned to a specific diet, but rather followed the same diet as their parents.

Overall, the researchers found that the adults who were assigned to a high-protein, low-GI diet lost the most weight. These individuals also did not regain as much weight compared to those who were on the low-protein diet.

The children participants also exhibited similar results as their parents. Those who had maintained a high-protein, low-glycemic index diet lost significant amounts of weight. In fact, the amount of overweight children in the study group decreased by 15 percent.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that a high-protein diet could consist of poultry, meats, fish, dry beans, eggs and milk.

Over the course of two years, more than 300 individuals aged 40 to 60 who were considered overweight followed three different diets, which all featured foods that contain high levels of vitamin D. The regimens included a low-fat diet, a low-carbohydrate diet and a Mediterranean-inspired diet.

The results of the study showed that each diet led to healthy weight loss, but the participants who consumed the most nutrient-enriched foods lost more weight.

"It was known that overweight people had lower levels of serum vitamin D, but this is the first study that actually shows that serum vitamin D increased among people who lost weight," said Danit Shahar, lead author of the trial. She added that these findings "lasted throughout the two years that the study was conducted, regardless of whether they were on a low-carbohydrate, low-fat or Mediterranean diet."

In addition to promoting healthy weight loss, vitamin D intake may also improve bone health, prevent low bone mass, reduce bone density loss and lessen the chance of osteoporosis.

During a three-year study, a team of researchers had a total of 71 patients with a family history of heart complications participate in dieting counseling groups and increased their daily physical activity. The intervention group was then compared to 74 individuals who had similar cardiovascular problems, but were given dietary and exercise information.

The team discovered that those who were in the intervention group were less likely to have medical problems or need to see their doctors, while the control group were more likely to have to visit their primary care physician on a regular basis.

The authors stated that "these results should be viewed in the context of the previously reported favorable impact on physical activity, fitness, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure and smoking cessation over the three-year period." They concluded that "high-intensity and long-lasting interventions can produce sustainable improvements in quality of life."

In addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, eating a high-calorie breakfast can boost one's metabolism, resulting in a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity.