Often marketed with promises to get you “shredded,” scientific-sounding claims, and before-and-after photos, fat burner supplements are widely available online. You often don’t need to browse fitness-related websites for long before you’ll see them being advertised. But what is actually in them? And do they really work?
This short guide will help you to answer these questions. However, bear in mind that although there are lots of commonalities between fat burner supplements, they are made from different formulas. What’s written here may not apply in all cases. However, the information here will help you to make a more informed decision about whether they are something you want to take.
How do Fat Burner Supplements Work?
We’ve all known people in life who seemed to be able to eat as much as they want without gaining weight. This often gets attributed to a ‘fast metabolism,’ and actually, there is some credence to this. A fast metabolism means that somebody burns lots of calories while they are at rest, which is why they can eat a lot without getting bigger. Generally speaking, fat burner supplements try to speed up people’s metabolisms.
The way they try to do this is by increasing people’s blood pressure. Obviously, more pressure or power requires more energy. So, in order to elevate your blood pressure, your body needs to use more energy, and the body’s source of energy is fat. Fat burners may also work in other ways, like blocking the absorption of fat or carbohydrates or reducing appetite.
Are they Effective?
The principle of increasing your metabolism, leading to more calories being burned while you are resting, is sound. But will they cause fat to just melt off? It’s unlikely. Their effectiveness also depends on their ingredients.
Common Ingredients of Fat Burners
Fat burners usually come in pill form, but some brands, such as Oxyshred come as a powder designed to be mixed into water. Most contain some mixture of the following ingredients.
Caffeine
This increases the level of epinephrine in your blood, which is a hormone that signals to your fat cells that it’s time to break down, as your body might need the energy. It can also slightly increase your metabolism.
The amount of caffeine in some supplements can be as much or even more than you would find in a cup of coffee. Be careful if you are also drinking coffee while taking a fat burner.
Carnitine
Carnitine is a compound that we usually get in our diets from meat and dairy, and it’s also produced naturally in our bodies. There are different types, the most common of which is called L-carnitine. This transports fatty acids into the mitochondria of your cells, where they can be burned for energy.
These are the two most common ingredients found in fat burners. Lots of other ingredients may be added besides these, some for purported health benefits and others for flavor.
Conclusion
There is some evidence that fat burner supplements could be helpful, but they are no substitute for a good diet and plenty of exercise. If you wish to try them, be sure to talk to your doctor first. Some fat burners contain ingredients that should not be mixed with other medications.