All about Fat Burners

Fat Burners and Thermogenics are supplements that are designed and formulated to help the individual promote weight loss. Many consumers look to these supplements in order to avoid dieting or working out, but will still be able to achieve weight loss. Others use them as an extra boost in fat and calorie burn or to help build stronger and leaner muscle. Fat burners can help support fat loss by enhancing metabolism, maintaining healthy appetite, and minimizing cravings. They can also optimize workout potential by increasing energy and focus BUT Fat Burners also carry many side effects.

There are 5 categories of fat burners:

FAT RELEASERS

The body fat that you hold under your skin is stored in fat cells, or adipocytes. To lose body fat, aim to make these fat cells as small as possible. There are several ingredients that do this including:

CAFFEINE

When you ingest caffeine, it binds to receptors on your fat cells causing the release of fat from the cells. This is particularly effective when taking caffeine before workouts. Caffeine also releases hormones that quickens metabolism. Dosage: 200-400 mg of caffeine between meals 2-3 times per day, with one of those doses 30-60 minutes before workouts on training days.

However metabolism increasing hormones are not in infinite supply, and constant stimulation can change the body's ability to regulate itself and its weight. Overuse of metabolism stimulants can also have the opposite effect, causing the metabolism to slow down in self-preservation. This is one of the reasons caffeine based fat burners do not maintain effectiveness over a long period of time.

Note: If you are having caffeine based fat burner stay away from coffee or use the decaffeinated coffee.

YOHIMBE

It aids fat loss by specifically increasing the amount of fat that gets released from your fat cells. When taken before exercise, yohimbine may more than double the amount of fat released from fat cells. Dosage: Take enough yohimbe extract to provide 5-20 mg of yohimbine per dose 2-3 times per day, with one of those doses 30-60 minutes before workouts on training days.

However if you have any liver, kidney, or heart problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are prone to anxiety, or have a psychological disorder it is better to avoid it.

CALORIE BURNERS

You also need to increase your calorie burn, requiring your body to use that freed up fat as a fuel source. The ingredients doing this include:

GREEN TEA EXTRACT

It aids fat loss by boosting the number of calories you burn each day it also enhances joint and muscle recovery and is also a powerful antioxidant. The active ingredients in green tea is a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Dosage: Take about 500-1000 mg of green tea extract-preferably one standardized for high EGCG content-2-3 times per day, with one of those doses 30-60 minutes before workouts on training days.

CAPSAICIN

Capsaicin is found in peppers which gives its heat. It also used as a supplement since it increases the amount of calories your body burns, due to its ability to raise epinephrine levels. Consuming capsaicin with a meal raised calorie expenditure by more than 30 percent. Look for capsaicin or cayenne pepper supplements that list Scoville thermal units or heat units (HU), and take enough to supply 40,000-80,000 units. Take 30 minutes before meals 2-3 times per day, with one dose 30-60 min before workouts.

EPHEDRA

Ephedrine is a drug derived from a plant (a Chinese herb) called ephedra. It's a thermogenic (metabolism- stimulating) agent that helps with the release of stored body fat. It was the most popular of the "fat burner" supplements ever on the market. It has that “buzz effect” that is it increases heart rate, increases physical energy, and amplifies mental focus and workout "intensity."

However Ephedrine is highly addictive.  Addiction leads to improper use or abuse. Students were popping these pills to stay awake and study all night, so were the Partiers and truck drivers. Like any addictive habit, it's difficult to stop. When you stop you crash emotionally and physically and your workouts suffer. It is a lot like trying to kick the booze or cigarette habit. You go through withdrawal. Long term use can even lead to adrenal burnout. Thus using it increases the risk of strokes, coronary blockage, and seizures. Due to these bad effects Ephedra has been banned in many countries.

FAT TRANSPORTERS

Fat transporters can help to maximize the amount of fat that gets into mitochondria (tiny power plants in cells) to be burnt up as fuel. Example:

 CARNITINE

This amino-acid-like molecule is a critical component of the complex transporting system that brings fat into the mitochondria, where it is finally burned away for good. Dosage: Take 2-3 grams of carnitine in the form of L-carnitine, L-carnitine L-tartrate, or acetyl-L-carnitine, 2-3 times per day with meals. Take one dose with your pre-workout meal and another dose with your post-workout meal.

FAT STOPPERS

They decrease the amount of fat your body stores.

CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID (CLA)

This is a naturally occurring group of healthy omega-6 fats. CLA enhances fat loss while simultaneously boosting muscle growth and strength. Dosage: Take 1-3 grams of CLA with breakfast, lunch, and with your last meal or shake at night.

GARCINIA CAMBOGIA

Garcinia contains an enzyme called Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which blocks enzymes preventing formation of fat, It also breaks down stored fat increasing metabolism and burning fat from body. HCA also increases serotonin in brain limiting your appetite. It is one of the fastest moving fat burner these days.

However, since garcinia cambogia extract diet pills are supplements, not drugs, their effectiveness or safety is not regulated. Most brands of garcinia cambogia extract diet pills, including big names, have failed independent laboratory quality and quantity testing. A good Garcinia Cambogia extract should contain at least 95% HCA, a 1,600mg daily dose, and no additional ingredients other than a small portion of potassium to help with HCA absorption. Most brands did not pass the above criteria. Some researches show that high doses of Garnicia cambogia can lead to toxicity and even liver disorders.

GENE ACTIVATORS

Certain nutrients can affect our gene to help more fat burn

OMEGA 3

Omega-3 fats both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) turn on genes the increase fat burning while turning off genes that increase fat storage. It also has a host of other benefits such as enhanced brain function, improved mood, joint recovery and elevated muscle growth.

THE TRUTH: A LEAN BODY DOES NOT COME IN A PILL

It's also a common misconception that you can pop a pill and get dramatic results like you see on TV and in the magazine ads. Before and after testimonials are NOT proof that diet pills were responsible for those results. The transformations are manipulated with Photoshop, professional lighting, postures to degrade or enhance their look, sucking in or pushing out a bloated belly or flexing muscles vs. not flexing to obtain an optimal look.

Diet pills and fat burners are nothing but quick fixes. Even if they help in the short term, they don’t help in the long term because you are only treating symptoms. Body fat is a symptom of a complex problem with multiple causes including unhealthy lifestyle, poor nutrition, lack of activity and even mental factors like subconscious self-sabotage and emotional eating.

I recommend you take a pass on "fat burner" pills and supplements and learn how to burn fat in a natural way – through proper nutrition, by building more muscle, and by increasing your activity level to burn more calories. If you're not satisfied with your results, it's NOT because you have a "diet pill deficiency” but some problem in your diet or exercise regimen.