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So your thinking about adding fat burners to your daily routine to help you
on your way to that slimmer, trimmer body you've always wanted. Hey! Every
little bit helps right? So why not fat burners? Well, here is the low-down on
fat burners that just might help you to understand what they are and how they
work for a weight loss program.
While there are quite a number of products on the market today, many of the
ingredients will be similar from one product to another. Caffeine is a drug that
is used all over the world mostly for its stimulant effects. Caffeine increases
alertness, lowers the perceived exertion of exercise and decreases reaction
time.
Caffeine has another effect that few people know about, it also acts as a fat
burner! Caffeine works by increasing the rate of fatty acid metabolism and
decreasing the rate of carbohydrate metabolism during aerobic exercise. Glycogen
is spared after taking in only 150-250mg of caffeine. With an increased reliance
on fat and a decreased reliance on glycogen, more calories will be burned from
fat if caffeine is taken in prior to exercise.
Keep in mind though that caffeine does have some side effects as well. At
higher doses caffeine can cause slowed heart rate, hypertension, nervousness,
irritability, insomnia and gastrointestinal distress. It is also a diuretic
which causes the kidneys to excrete more fluid than normal which can dehydrate
the body. Caffeine will not help you lose weight on its own, but if taken before
aerobic exercise it can help increase fat burning and help you exercise longer.
HCA, or hydroxyl citric acid, has the purported effects of inhibiting the
conversion of fat by blocking the enzyme ATP citrate lyase and to decrease
appetite. Naringin is a substance that is isolated from grapefruit and is an
inhibitor of an enzyme that metabolizes caffeine and has been shown to possibly
prolong caffeine's fat burning effects.
Synephrine is the active compound in the fruit of a plant called citrus
aurantium. Synephrine is chemically similar to the ephedrine found in many
cold/allergy medications and a number of weight loss and energy supplements,
which contain ma huang. Its purported benefits are to increase the metabolic
rate, increase calorie expenditure, promote weight loss and increase energy.
Guggulsterone possibly works in stimulating the thyroid gland. This would
speed up the metabolism. It may also lower cholesterol. The trouble is, as with
many of these herbs, is that they have not been studied enough to prove that
they really work, and that they are safe from any side effects.
Yohimbine raises the metabolism by increasing the release of norepinephrine,
one of the adrenal hormones. Studies have shown that this product did have a
weight loss effect but as with most other products of this kind, long term use
and side effects have yet to be studied.
In essence, fat burners may work to some extent but at what possible long
term cost? With the lack of studies done on most of these products as to not
only there effectivness, but also there possible side effects, it would be safe
to say that it would be best to avoid most of these products. Caffeine, if used
in moderate amounts, may well be your best bet for a pre-exercise fat burning
aid but use it sparingly and if you feel any of the previously mentioned side
effects or any other symptoms from caffeine use, stop and consult your doctor
before continuing use.
About The Author
Jim O'Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of weight
loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy
lifestyle. Sign up now for his free newsletter at: http://www.mrgymhealth.com. |
