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Fat Burners: What Are They?
The term ‘fat burner’ is used to describe nutrition supplements that help you burn fat. Fat burners claim to aid quick weight loss. They increase fat metabolism or energy expenditure rapidly. They also alter fat absorption or trigger long-term changes to promote fat metabolism. When used during workout sessions, fat burners are supposed to increase fat oxidation (1). These so-called natural products cause weight loss by either stimulating lipolysis (breakdown of accumulated fat) or inhibiting lipogenesis (synthesis/accumulation of fat) (2). These supplements contain a variety of ingredients like caffeine, green tea, carnitine, conjugated linoleic acid, chromium, kelp, and fucoxanthin (1). Let’s check out how a few of these additives work.
How Do Fat Burners (Claim To) Work? Are They Safe To Use?
Most of the ingredients in fat burners or diet pills speed up your metabolism. This stimulates the release of some neurotransmitters (like adrenaline and norepinephrine). These neurotransmitters trigger the release of glucose from the liver and the body’s fat reserve (adipose tissue) (3), (4). Jesse Feder, Clinical Dietitian at the Memorial Regional Hospital, says, “There is limited to no evidence that any fat burners on the market work. Additionally, they are not regulated by the FDA and so, there may be ingredients or lack thereof ingredients that the supplements claim. Some fat burners have been linked to liver damage, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and other adverse effects.” By burning or mobilizing the stored fatty acids, these supplements aim to increase the production of energy (ATP). In other words, they use glucose and fat to produce energy. Therefore, you shed some pounds and get an energy boost as well! Here’s a list of commonly found ingredients in fat burners (5): The ingredients in fat burners improve your endurance, alertness, memory, feeling of vigor, and reduce fatigue. In a way, they enable you to train longer and harder. All of this to just burn more fat! Logically and theoretically speaking, this is mind-blowing! But, research shows an entirely different picture. The secreted neurotransmitters may not always have desired effects. They can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. A few ingredients can cause vasodilation (constricting blood vessels) and expanded airways (4). Therefore, fat burners can be dangerous for your health. In fact, the scientific community goes to the extent of calling them all bogus! Do you want to know how they affect your health? Jump to the next section.
What Are The Harmful Effects Caused by Fat Burners?
Fat burners are supposed to aid weight loss. Instead, they affect your liver, heart, brain, and appetite. Here’s how and why this happens.
1. Liver Damage
Despite several claims about the safety of herbal weight loss supplements, researchers have reported multiple episodes of hepatotoxicity. Certain fat burners contain an ingredient called usnic acid. This, along with green tea and guggul tree extracts, has been found to cause liver damage (6). A healthy 28-year-old woman had acute liver failure within a month of taking 500 mg/day of pure usnic acid for two weeks. Kombucha tea is another herbal supplement that contains usnic acid. It has also been reported to be hepatotoxic (6). Consuming fat burners with green tea extracts may cause jaundice and acute hepatitis. Chromium polynicotinate, a common fat burner additive, is reported to cause acute liver injury. Most such ingredients interact with plant extracts like Garcinia cambogia and heavy metal contaminants to cause liver damage (7).
2. Blood Pressure Fluctuation
Many of the ingredients found in fat burner pills or powders are legally banned in some countries as they can cause hypertension and fluctuations in blood pressure. Compounds like phenylpropanolamine (PPA), fenfluramine, caffeine, and ephedrine also cause hypertension (8). These compounds stimulate your central nervous system (CNS) to control appetite. However, they also adversely affect your blood pressure. Herbal additives like bitter orange extract (Citrus aurantium) are said to interact with compounds like caffeine and synephrine. They increase your blood pressure or cause fluctuations by constricting blood vessels (1), (5).
3. Anxiety And Headache
High doses or chronic consumption of weight loss supplements can lead to anxiety. Supplements containing bitter orange extract, caffeine, and yohimbe may give you a headache along with anxiety (5). Green coffee bean extract too can cause panic attacks. Moreover, fat burners that contain caffeine are too hard on your heart. If you have heart problems, it is recommended you stay away from fat burners and caffeinated supplements (9).
4. Heart Attack
Obesity is one of the main risk factors for heart attacks. Taking diet pills, fat burners, or weight loss medication might sound like an easy and quick way out. But, recent studies have proven the lethality of these supplements. While burning fat, these supplements may affect your cardiovascular health. Fat burners may cause cardiac arrhythmia and even heart attacks. A (in)famous banned weight loss drug is ephedra. In fact, any supplement containing ephedrine alkaloids are prohibited in the United States (5). Aspirin is another additive in fat burners. It is added to ensure longer retention of the drug in the bloodstream by lowering the urinary excretion. When combined with caffeine or any over-the-counter blood thinner, aspirin can trigger a heart attack (10).
5. Nausea And Diarrhea
Many weight control drugs/pills limit your appetite by exerting an anorectic effect on your body. This may lead to nausea and diarrhea (5). Fat burners stimulate your CNS to delay gastric emptying and induce a feeling of satiety. When you take fat burners that contain guar gum, carnitine, green tea extract, chromium, or chitosan, you may experience nausea and vomiting (5). What’s worse is that most of them don’t even affect your body weight, let alone aid weight loss!
6. Insomnia
Green coffee bean extract and other caffeine-rich supplements are said to control your blood glucose levels. The active ingredient in it, chlorogenic acid, along with caffeine, is supposed to slow down your body’s absorption of glucose. Indirectly, this is supposed to promote weight loss (11). However, research has found this effect only in a few individuals. In most people, these active compounds cause insomnia and increased heart rate. Sleeplessness is again linked to obesity and weight gain (12). In other words, you will neither lose weight nor have a good night’s sleep. So, now you know that fat burners are just a bunch of lies! Most of the literature available today tells you not to use these drugs/supplements. There is probably just a tiny fraction of people that benefit from them. How do the rest of us lose weight then? What’s a safer way to lose weight? Read on to find out!
How To Prevent The Side Effects Of Fat Burners And Safely Lose Weight
Yes, it is true. Obesity is a growing menace around the world. Hence, it comes as no surprise that almost anything in the name of weight loss sells today. Every other person wants or needs to lose weight! And in an effort to do so, many of them fall for the concept of “quick weight loss.” Fat burners are a fad born out of this concept. But, we have already told you about the repercussions of weight loss supplements. We have almost forgotten the idea of healthy weight loss! Remember (13):
Healthy weight loss always takes time. Both your body and your mind need to be controlled. Yoga, meditation, and mindful/ clean eating are some tools you can use along with other weight loss interventions to do. Count your nutrients too – not just your calories. Stick to the said limit. Do not exploit/overconsume these substances. ‘Natural’ does NOT ALWAYS mean ‘safe.’ Talk to a nutritionist. Self-medication can be fatal.
What happens when you stop taking fat burners?
If you are diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or anorexia, stay away from these supplements. Consult your doctor for instructions to use if any. The safety of fat burners in pregnant and nursing women has not been studied. It is better to avoid their usage. Do not use fat burners or any such supplements without medical consent/guidance..
Jesse says, “When you stop taking fat burners, you may find yourself gaining weight again if the supplement is suppressing your appetite. This is known as a rebound effect. Additionally, your body may get used to certain ingredients, so stopping may cause headaches, sleep problems, and other withdrawal symptoms.” Will fat burners work without exercise? Isabella Bazzarro, Registered Dietitian, says,“ Most fat burners require some form of exercise in order to be effective. The reason for this is that exercise helps to increase the body’s overall metabolic rate, which in turn helps to burn more calories and fats. Additionally, many fat burners contain stimulants, such as caffeine, which can help increase energy levels and promote a more intense workout.” How much weight can you lose with fat burners? There is no specified amount of weight loss that can be guaranteed with fat burners. It varies from person to person, physical activity level, and food habits. However, fat burners can accelerate fat loss. Do fat burners help lose belly fat? No, fat burners cannot target any specific area of the body for fat loss. Follow a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine to lose belly fat. How long does it take for fat burners to work? Depending on the ingredients, fat burners start working 10-45 minutes after ingestion.
