The information
provided here is for consumer information only and does not represent or
substitute medical advice or imply any endorsements of the products listed.
A fat burner does two things. It acts on the hypothalamus, the region of the
brain that helps to regulate appetite. It also causes the release of certain
brain chemicals that trigger the body’s “fight or flight” mechanism,
preparing it to take action. In effect, the body burns extra calories to be
able to respond to a physical or emotional attack. To stay ready for the
attack that never comes, the body keeps burning calories even when it is at
rest. Until 2004, fat burners usually contained ephedrine, caffeine and
aspirin as their active ingredients. After the FDA banned the use of
ephedrine in diet pills, some manufacturers began using herbal ephedra or Ma
huang. Others used Citrus aurantium (CA) and green tea extract (GTE). Here
are a few of the more popular fat burners.
Ephedrasil’s main ingredient is the caffeine found green tea extract. It
also contains CA, Ginkgo biloba and Siberian Ginseng. CA (Bitter Orange)
comes from manadarin orange peels, seville orange juice, and certain types
of potatoes. One of its primary active ingredients, synephrine, acts similar
to ephedrine in the body. Scientists have said that weight-loss products
combining synephrine, caffeine and other substances can lead to high blood
pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Most health professionals agree that
the risks of synephrine far outweigh any potential weight loss benefits. GTE
is ephedra-free. Recent studies have found that it may play a role in
stimulating thermogenesis (fat burning) and increasing calorie expenditure.
GTE contains catechins, which increase norepinephrine levels in the brain
and prepare the body for “fight or flight.” In high doses, GTE and caffeine
may result in heart palpitations, insomnia, and other negative effects.
Ripped Fuel is another product containing CA, GTE, and Guarana (caffeine).
Like Smartburn, there are insufficient amounts of any key ingredient to make
it an effective diet pill. The manufacturer suggests dieting and exercise to
help the product do its job.
Smartburn is marketed as a female fat burner. It contains hoodia, HCA,
theanine (the amino acid found in green tea) and many other herbs. Some of
its ingredients do have a slight effect on weight loss, but there are
insufficient amounts of any key ingredient to make Smartburn an effective
diet pill. Slim Quick and Zalestrim are also marketed as female fat burners.
Slim Quick is nearly half caffeine and half Brazilian herbs. Each dose is
the equivalent of two cups of coffee. Slim Quick works at first by
increasing your metabolic rate and making you burn more calories. Soon,
however, your metabolic rate falls below normal and you may end up with an
addiction to caffeine. Zalestrim claims that it will help you lose weight,
get a bigger bust line and increase your sexual libido. If this were
actually true, you would be seeing learned doctors and research scientists
discussing Zalestrim on CNN. This product may NOT produce the results the
manufacturers claim.
Hydroxycut is manufactured by MuscleTech. It contains gymnema sylvestre
extract, garcinia camboqia (fruit and rind) extract, and green tea extract,
which are supposed to burn fat to produce weight loss. There have been no
clinical trials to prove this. In fact, while the product did produce some
weight loss, it increased the amount of body fat. MuscleTech has been guilty
of deceptive advertising practices. In one ad, Marla Duncan, a fitness
model, supposedly lost 35 pounds using Hydroxycut. The ad featured before
and after photos of Marla as proof. In reality, the after photo showed her
after her pregnancy.
Lipo-6 uses liquid capsules for superior absorption. It contains a variety
of herbs, including Synephrine HCL, Yohimbine HCL and Caffeine Anhydrous
(200mg). As we have seen above, scientists have recommended against
Synephrine because it has been shown to raise blood pressure and is not
suitable for patients with a history of blood pressure or cardiac problems.
Yohimbe interacts with SSRI or MAOI anti-depressants. The FDA is
investigating allegations that products containing yohimbe have caused renal
failure, seizures and death. Caffeine is included in Lipo 6 to stimulate the
release of epinephrine (adrenaline). The three ingredients together make a
dangerous product. People who have tried Lipo-6 for weight loss have
reported mixed results. It works for some, but others have suffered from the
product’s unpleasant side effects, including palpitations and anxiety.
Warnings: Do not consume synephrine or caffeine from other sources,
including but not limited to coffee, tea, soda and other dietary supplements
or medications containing phenylephrine or caffeine. Do not use for more
than 8 weeks. Consult your physician prior to using Lipo 6 if you have a
medical condition, including heart, liver, kidney, or thyroid disease,
psychiatric disorders, difficulty urinating, diabetes, high blood pressure,
cardiac arrhythmia, recurrent headaches, enlarged prostate or glaucoma.
The negative side to diet pills
Different types of Diet Pills
Available
References
Barke, Sheri. 2005. Fat Burners. Nutrition Coach. URL:
http://www.canyons.edu/offices/Health/NutritionCoach/Nu101/fatburners.asp
County of San Bernardino. Hydroxycut. Nutrition Alerts. URL:
http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/eatwell/PDF%20files/Hydroxycut.pdf
SyberVision. 2006. Ephedrasil Reviewed. SyberVision Reviews: Diet
Supplements, and Weight Loss Programs! URL:
http://www.sybervision.com/reviews/Review_Ephedrasil.php
---------------. 2006 Slim Quick Review. SyberVision Reviews: Diet
Supplements, and Weight Loss Programs! URL:
http://www.sybervision.com/reviews/Review_Slimquick.php
---------------. 2006 Smartburn Review. SyberVision Reviews: Diet
Supplements, and Weight Loss Programs! URL:
http://www.sybervision.com/reviews/Review_SmartBurn.php
---------------. 2006. Zalestrim for Women: Fat Burner, Breast Enhancer and
Libido Booster? SyberVision Reviews: Diet Supplements, and Weight Loss
Programs! URL:
http://www.ultimatefatburner.com/zalestrim-review.html
