Fat Burners 101: What's the deal regarding diet pills?

People tend to have a love/hate relationship with fat. On the one hand, fat is essential in order to produce energy and to insulate the body and its organs. On the other hand, too much fat makes you… well… fat. Unless you plan on spending the next few winters in Antarctica, having excess fat can be both dangerous and unappealing.

Our obsession with losing fat stores has led to an explosion of thermogenic fat burners. These usually stimulant heavy supplements can be found just about anywhere, even your local gas station. But do fat burners actually work, and if so, how?

Fat burners are typically designed to induce the body’s natural thermogenesis -- the process by which your body burns fat to gain energy. Fat burners also increase metabolism and reduce appetite, creating ideal conditions for weight loss. Stimulant-based fat burners cause the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which are hormones that signal the movement of fat from its stores into the bloodstream.

But, like all supplements, fat burners are not magical pills or powders that will just wipe your fat away. When that fat enters the bloodstream, it has to be burned as energy, otherwise it goes right back to your rear end, your thighs, your belly and so on. That is why, if you don’t exercise while taking fat burners, you’re not going to see much in terms of results. But, if you work out regularly and watch what you eat, fat burners can accelerate your weight loss.

The thermogenic effect from fat burners are typically derived from either caffeine or green tea, which can both increase metabolism and decrease appetite. But there are many other ingredients found in fat burners that can also contribute to weight loss. Some of those ingredients include:

• Black pepper: Slows down the development of new fat cells.
• Green Coffee Bean: Contains chlorogenic acid, which is said to inhibit the absorption of sugars and carbohydrates.
• CLA: (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) This naturally occurring fatty acid has been shown to help reduce fat and spur weight loss.
• L-Carnitine Tartrate: This amino acid helps the body use stored fat as an energy source.
• Thermodiamine: An appetite suppressant and thermogenic, this Chinese fruit boosts the body’s temperature to burn more calories.
• Garcinia Cambogia: This weight loss extract helps to block fat absorption while suppressing appetite.
• Chromium Picolinate: A mineral that has been studied for its ability to metabolize carbohydrates and fats.

While fat burners can make a difference in your weight loss journey, they can also be very dangerous for some people. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor or nurse practitioner before beginning any supplement regimen, especially fat burners. When you take these supplements, your body heats up and your heart rate will increase, putting more stress on your body. So if you have serious health issues, especially heart problems, stay away from the fat burners.