BLOG 282 FAT BURNERS

BLOG 282 FAT BURNERS

Getting rid of unwanted fat on the body is a well sought-after desire many people want to make happen. The search for the quick fix or most effective approach has created an entire market for products and supplements. Over the counter fat burning supplements have become readily available and widely used. Claims to shred fat and quickly lure in anyone vulnerable. Some of these products even claim that fat will be burned even without changing diet and exercise patterns. Changing your metabolism effortless seems too good to be true and it is no secret that these fat burning products may be harmful to your health.

The FDA does not test every fat burner found on the shelf. Because of this, not all labels are truthful in their disclosure of ingredients. In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration found over 20 fat burners that had very dangerous, unmentioned ingredients in them. Some contained laxatives and even anti-depressant medication. Any type of supplement becomes processed by the liver, therefore taking fat burners causes a risk to your liver health. For example, one fat burner caused an outbreak in 2014 of nearly 100 cases of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), which was later removed from the market. Of these 100 people, 47 were hospitalized, while 3 required a liver transplant. Some fat burners also contain what is called “bitter orange” which can cause heart rate elevation and high blood pressure. The National Institutes of Health have linked bitter orange to heart attack and stroke in seemingly healthy people.

The truth is that there is no way to truly know if a fat burner can raise a person’s metabolism. Everyone’s body has a different biochemistry. There are some ingredients in these products such as 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) that have been shown to raise metabolism, but there is no way of knowing to what extent. However, this same ingredient has been found to cause overheating leading to excessive sweating and rapid heartbeat. These products also contain an excessive amount of caffeine which can cause jitteriness, insomnia, anxiety, and heart palpitations.

At this point, there just isn’t enough evidence to ensure the safety and use of fat burners. Most have not been tested in clinical trials. Whatever a person decides, weight loss at a healthy rate is about 1-3 pounds per week. The use of fat burners may or may not propel this fat loss, and the risks can overshadow the possibility that the product may or may not work. Fat can be burned through proper diet and exercise, but having the patience and persistence to do this can be troublesome for many.