Do Fat Burners Work?

Now wouldn't it be wonderful if we were able to burn all that fat without moving so much as a toe? Well, well, dare to dream! This is where fat burning pills come into picture and claim to turn this dream into reality! Hey, hold on! What is that thing which elders always say about things that seem too good to be true? Well, they say that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is! That is why, before giving in to joyous relief and plunging headlong into trying these pills, it is important to delve deeper and find out if these so-called fat burners are as good as they claim to be. There is more to the question of fat burners' efficacy than judging their effects - besides effect, whether or not they work, we also need to find out their side effects and overall implications to the body.

So, how do fat burning pills work? First of all, there are many fat burning supplements available in market, varying in formula and effect. Fat burning pills are mostly made of various chemical, herbal and/or other organic ingredients that may work in any of the four ways - curb appetite, speed up metabolism, bind with food compounds to prevent their absorption by the body or give more energy, so that you can exercise more to lose weight. But then, do fat loss products really work? Let us take a look at some popular fat burning formulae that are available in the market and try to figure out whether fat-burning supplements actually work.

An Overview of Popular Fat Burners

• Ephedra: This compound is an extract from the Ephedra Sinica plant and is popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat asthma, common cold and hay fever. Ephedra acts as a stimulant by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure through constriction of blood vessels. For purpose of weight loss, Ephedra is often taken in conjunction with aspirin and caffeine and studies have shown Ephedra to be effective for short-term, marginal weight loss. Its stimulant properties make it a risky option as a fat burning supplement as, since 1994, the FDA has received nearly 1000 reports of its adverse side effects, chiefly hypertension, irregular heart rate, insomnia, nervousness, cardiac arrest, seizures and strokes. If not taken carefully and in a regulated or supervised environment, Ephedra can be a fatal alternative to other weight loss measures. The question remains that do fat burners really work? They may, but consider the side effects carefully before popping that bright pill which claims to hitch you to a Size Zero figure in no time!
• Chitosan: This is a compound derived by deacetylation of chitin, which is the structural element of the shells of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps. Its claims to weight loss derives from its ability to bind fat by interacting with lipids from the digestive system and decrease their absorption in the body. Now, the lowdown on Chitosan is that being a "fat binder", it hampers the absorption of oil-based vitamins, such as A, D, E and K and also hinders the absorption of carotenoids which are converted by the body to Vitamin A. There is also a considerable difference of opinion among various experts regarding Chitosan concerning its efficacy as an effective fat loss supplement has not yet been established by any recognized medical or nutritional institute or authority.
• Hydroxycitrate: Also known as Hydroxycitric Acid, Hydroxycitrate is a Citric Acid derivative which is found in tropical plants such as Brindleberry and Hibiscus. Laboratory test results have indicated that this compound is a potential modulator of lipid metabolism, but clinical has not shown it to have any implication in terms of weight loss or fat reduction. It's presumed modus operandi is to curb appetite, thereby decreasing calorie intake, and increase the storage of glycogen without interfering with muscle mass or energy levels. A study published in The Medical Journal of Australia clearly states that HDC doesn't work to burn fat! Well, do fat loss supplements work? This one doesn't - for sure!
• Carnitine: Carnitine are positively charged polyatomic ions having the structure NR₄⁺, which are biologically converted and extracted from the amino acids lysine and methionine. This compound is used by living cells to transport fatty acids from cytosol to the mitochondria during the metabolism of fats for release of energy. Although, there is no scientific evidence to prove Carnitine's efficacy as a fat burner supplement, certain studies have shown that oral Carnitine is responsible for reducing fat mass, increasing muscle mass and reducing fatigue - effects which are highly coveted as contributors to weight loss! However, rather than go for Carnitine supplements, it is better if this compound is taken in its natural form. Meat, fish, poultry and certain dairy products are rich sources of natural dietary Carnitine, in this respect, may be included among lipid burners that really work.
• Chromium Picolinate: This chemical compound is derived from a combination of chromium and picolinic acid and is touted as a nutritional supplement to treat chromium deficiency. Although this mineral contributes towards metabolizing fats and carbohydrates to a certain extent (though this has not yet been clinically proven), it does nothing to enhance lean muscle mass and reduce fats. A few studies have also shown excess Chromium Picolinate to cause damage to the DNA structure when exacerbated with Vitamin C.

It is difficult to come to a stoic conclusion when it comes to determining whether fat melting supplements work or not. There are certain gray areas where conflict of opinions occur and is best to get all the information about the available alternatives and deciding for yourself, whether and which fat burning pill to go for. Consulting a doctor or diet/nutrition expert is always a good idea. Also, fat metabolizers for women may differ from fat burning supplements for men. However, having a healthy, nutritious, balanced diet and doing some light and fat burning exercises on a regular basis are the simplest, cheapest and most effective fat loss products. Include fat burning foods that speed up metabolism in your daily diet. The results are gradual but long-lasting. Besides, it makes you habitual to a healthier, more holistic lifestyle. You see, intolerance can be a good thing - intolerance towards a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet can save your health as well as your money!