The statistics are staggering. Over 42 percent of adults in the United States are classified as obese. Looking at that data, it should come as no surprise that Americans spent $78 billion in the weight loss category in 2019.
A significant component of these mega sales was for supplements, often referred to as fat burners. These products are usually formulated from ingredients that attempt to boost our body’s fat-burning process.
You may be curious about all the hype. Do they work? Are fat burners safe? Are they worth the cost? What are the facts?
Here’s what you will want to know before investing your hard-earned money into these products.
How Fat Burner Supplements Work
Your body’s fat-burning process occurs when the level of heat is elevated within your body. Fat burner supplements claim to help with the breakdown of stored fats, which in turn are used as a source of energy and help increase metabolism.
3 Potential Benefits of Fat-Burner Supplements
Companies that sell effective fat burners say taking them on a regular basis may result in these benefits:
- Increased Energy Levels: In theory, fat burners may help you use more calories by giving you an energy boost.
- Thermogenesis: You may have heard this term thrown around as something that helps with metabolism. Some of the best fat burners may include ingredients to help increase your metabolic rate (referred to as thermogenesis).
- Appetite Suppression: There are also weight loss supplements sold to curb your appetite and help you control the temptation for high-calorie and high-sugar foods.
However, fat-burner products are not all sunshine and roses; not all the nutrients have been studied for their safety. For the most part, fat burners are stimulants, and the evidence for many of their weight-loss benefits is lacking.
Green tea extract and caffeine have a few studies on their beneficial effect on metabolism. In addition, most of these studies show the effects are relatively small and short-lived.
Are Fat Burners Safe?
More concerning is that caffeine and other stimulant ingredients that claim to promote fat loss may actually create unwanted side effects. Some fat-burner formulas are super high in caffeine, which can pose a danger.
One of the reasons is that caffeine supplements are often concentrated, which carries the risk of side effects such as insomnia, restlessness, increased heart rate, and nausea. In fact, studies suggest that, in extreme cases, fat burner supplements can lead to acute liver failure.
Some of the latest research reveals that caffeine’s impact on energy and weight loss is weak. Science just doesn’t support caffeine as an effective appetite suppressant.
The bottom line is that many fat burner products have strikes against them. They aren’t regulated, contain questionable ingredients, and some of them can be harmful. As a result, you are probably better off drinking a cup of coffee or green tea as needed instead of focusing on caffeinated fat burners.
The Best Way to Use Fat Burners
Suppose you decide to supplement your daily routine with fat burners. In that case, the number one thing to remember is this: although they may play a role in helping support your weight loss goals, fat burners are certainly not a replacement for your daily diet or exercise routine.
A good fat burner supplement only works if it is taken along with the proper meal plan and physical training. The truth is that our bodies can naturally burn fat through diet and exercise. However, for some people, using additional supplements may interfere with their metabolism or overall health.
A Better Choice
Instead of fat-burning supplements, look at your workout program and the foods you consume.
When you want to naturally and safely up your metabolism before, during, and after your training, turn to Fit Body Boot Camp. We offer a unique program for the most effective fat-burning workout. It’s called Afterburn, and it incorporates both strength training and HIIT (short for ‘high-intensity interval training’).
Our signature Afterburn Fit Body Boot Camp program combines High-Intensity Interval Training with Active Rest Training to produce the outcomes you desire. It is truly a life-changing workout.
Best of all, since our Afterburn FBBC program is based on science and technology, your body will operate at an elevated metabolism in the hours following your training.
Final Thoughts
Remember the saying, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?” This directly applies to weight loss and burning fat. There simply is no such thing as a magic pill.
Put in the effort, and you will achieve and maintain your weight loss and training goals. Come join us at Fit Body Boot Camp when you’re ready to fire up your metabolism, burn calories, and have some fun!
