|
 THE
TRUTH ABOUT ‘FAT BURNERS’
Are they ‘miracle’ fat-loss supplements
or dangerous over-hyped drugs?
Chances are you have been mesmerized lately by the commercials
and advertisements promising rapid fat loss and a sculpted body
in just a few weeks. "Lose 30 pounds in just 28 days," one
caption read. Or my favorite, "Our product will help you to
burn 38% more fat than diet and exercise alone." Burn 38 percent
more fat? Wow! Sign me up!
If you’re confused and don’t know what to believe anymore,
don’t feel bad, you’re not alone. You should know,
however, that this column is dedicated to getting to the truth
behind fitness myths and nutrition hype.
You’ve may have seen of heard about Xenadrine, Hydroxycut,
Ripped Fuel, Metabolife, Dymetadrine and others — all known
as thermogenics. These are some of the most popular "fat burner" supplements
on the market today. Do these products in fact "boost fat
metabolism and improve athletic performance," as the ads claim?
And most importantly, are thermogenic supplements safe?
Thermogenics
First of all, the word "thermogenic" has nothing to do
with fat burning. "Thermo" means "heat," and "genesis" means "the
beginning." So the word Thermogenics simply means "capable
of initiating heat." Therefore thermogenics are stimulants
because they give off heat, which speeds up your bodily functions.
And of course the body on speed will burn more calories. Does this
mean that you’re burning more fat? Not necessarily.
Ephedrine and Caffeine
The thermogenic products most popular among the weight-loss and
bodybuilding arenas are combinations of ephedrine and caffeine.
Ephedrine is a drug derived from the herb Ephedra or MaHuang. It
is a bronchodilator used in asthma medication, opening the air
passageway leading to and from the lungs. Ephedrine is also a natural
appetite suppressant. Caffeine, on the other hand, is extracted
from Guarana, Kola Nut or Green Tea. As I mentioned before, both
ephedrine and caffeine are stimulants. They are also diuretics,
meaning they excrete water from the body.
I think that from here it is obvious to see where the supplement
manufacturers draw their conclusions. The two drugs, ephedrine
and caffeine, combine to increase body heat and heart rate, which
helps to burn more calories. They also act as an appetite suppressant
and a diuretic. Does all this mean that you’re burning more
fat? Absolutely not! Do you lose weight? Of course! Your body is
on speed, your appetite is reduced so you’re eating less
and you’re getting rid of more water. Of course you’re
going to lose weight — water weight.
It is also important to note that both ephedrine and caffeine are
addictive. Over time, users develop a tolerance for the drugs that
result in more frequent usage and increased dosage. This leads
to a dramatic drop in "energy" when the drugs are not
taken. Sound familiar? It’s called addiction.
Dangerous side effects
To be fair, research has shown that both ephedrine and caffeine
can be an effective part of a fat-loss program. Even so, I still
think competitive athletes should not blindly use thermogenics
without the assistance of a trained professional who understands "smart" short-term
usage (see explanation below) and the risks associated with usage.
And if you’re not a competitive athlete, you shouldn’t
even consider using thermogenics. Some potential side effects include
headache, tremors and stroke.
Let’s face it, every drug has side effects and contraindications.
And the vast majority of people who are lured into using these
products are either overweight or obese and suffer from hypertension,
thyroid or cardiorespiratory issues. These are the people for whom
ephedrine and caffeine are contraindicated or not advised. If you
have any of the above conditions you do not want to be on stimulants
because you could have a stroke or die.
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