Ignite your metabolism! Torch your fat! Incinerate your appetite! With claims like these and names like “Shred Matrix”, “Abdominal Cuts”, and “Ripped Fuel”, it’s easy to see how people have made weight loss products the biggest seller on the supplement scene. But do they really work? Can they really do what they claim? We will dissect some of the main ingredients behind all of the body melting claims and pick out the ones that will truly give you a jump start on fat loss.
We have all been a victim to fancy wording and great product advertising but now it’s time to look past that and to what is in these products to help choose one that can actually benefit us. First, we need to decide what you want the fat burner to do. Is it extra energy you are looking for? Do you want it to suppress your appetite? Or maybe you need something that increases your metabolism to help you burn extra calories. Picking the goal will help narrow down the massive wall of choices at your local supp shop. Finding a single product that meets all of your needs will likely help you to see results faster. Most all weight loss products are stimulant based so you need to make sure of is that you are medically cleared to take them. Elevating the heart rate can be dangerous if certain medical conditions exist or if you are on medication. Now let’s look at some of the more popular ingredients found in these products.
1. Caffeine- Probably the most common in all weight loss products, caffeine is used to increase energy levels. When leaning out it may become hard to maintain energy levels due to low calorie diets, products containing caffeine will help you power through your workout. Caffeine also breaks down fat, freeing fatty acids which are immediately burned. Studies have shown that the conversion of fat to energy is about 30 percent more efficient when caffeine is consumed prior to exercise. Caffeine is found in many of the drinks we include in our daily lives so be careful not to overdo it or the effect with backfire; causing you to crash and lose all energy. Always start with the lowest dose of a product to test your tolerance.
2. Green Tea- Research has shown green tea may help our bodies burn more calories, faster, which is why it's showing up in more and more fat loss formulas. Green Tea also works as an antioxidant, eliminating free radicals in the body. As with other stimulants, it has been shown to increase your resting metabolic rate, which we know is beneficial from previous blogs. Polyphenols are the key ingredient to look for when to choosing a good green tea product. Most tested dosages recommend one that is around 97% polyphenol concentrate.
3. CLA- When leading CLA researcher Michael W. Pariza from the University of Wisconsin-Madison was asked, "How does CLA work?" he replied, "In a general sense, what it's doing is keeping little fat cells from getting big." What this means is that CLA is better not just for weight loss, but keeping fat gain under control. Using this product has been shown to change the way your body utilizes fat for energy rather than just storing it. All research shows that between 3.4-4 grams a day lead to the best results.
4. 5-HTP- Often overlooked as a weight loss product, 5-HTP has been recently reported to help curb sugar and carb cravings. It works by increasing serotonin, the hormone responsible for feeling happy and content, levels in the body. By upping these levels many studies have shown a reduction in appetite and a “get full faster” feeling. This may help trying to stick to low calorie restrictions or saying no to that little sweet snack staring at you in the cabinet.
5. Chromium- Chromium is a mineral that plays an important role in our bodies' normal carbohydrate metabolism, the process of converting the foods we eat into sugars. Chromium aids insulin hormone by properly shuttling these sugars into cells to be stored as energy. This will help the body use these sugars as “reserved energy” versus storing them as fat. This product has many skeptics as a weight loss supplement, with studies being very inconsistent, so if using this for solely weight loss I wouldn’t expect the six pack to be visible immediately.
6. 7-KETO- 7-Keto is quite different from the previously mentioned ingredients. It works by helping increase the body's metabolic rate by way of the thyroid (T3) gland. Around age 25 your bodies’ metabolism begins to natural decrease no matter what we do, making it hard to keep unwanted weight off. This is where 7-KETO can aid in fat loss by shifting the metabolic rate, so the body is able to increase fat metabolism, even while resting. Research supports this product greatly but only at almost twice the normal recommended dose of 50 mg a day, so you might have to play with the serving sizes.
This is just a quick explanation of a select few of the ingredients to look for when choosing a weight loss supplement and in no way should be taken as a diagnosis to lose weight. Once again, always check with your health professional before taking any kind of new supplement. Using a product with a combination of these ingredients will most likely yield the best results but don’t think for a minute that any product on the market will replace hard work and a good diet. These products, despite their claims, are simply aids in increasing energy, decreasing fat storage, and boosting your metabolism. There still is no “miracle pill” that is going to melt your body down to a size 0 in just a few short weeks without diet and exercise. There are obviously 1000’s of other ingredients in fat burners so feel free to contact me about any specific one you have questions about or if you would like more info on the mentioned ones. It is always easier to set expectations and know what to look for in a product if you know what the things in it do. Check your labels, stop believing everything you see on the box until you do your own research, and don’t forget nothing comes without hard work so BRING IT!!!
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