Americans spend approximately billion per year on diet-related and weight loss products and programs, says a report by Marketdata, Inc. Moreover, this figure is growing and is expected to reach .7 billion in 2010. The significant amount of funds spent on various components of the diet industry each year is reflective of Americans' growing awareness of, and increasing desperation about, an obesity rate that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.
In an effort to counter this trend, Americans are turning to the diet industry in record numbers. What the diet industry 'gurus' is increasingly offering to such desperate consumers-and what they are increasingly purchasing-are quick weight loss products that are collectively called, "fat burners."
\"Fat Burners\"
Fat Burners
Utilizing a process called thermogenics, most fat burners contain stimulants (such as caffeine or green tea extract) that are thought to increase the metabolism and burn fat more quickly. These stimulants have also been shown to suppress appetite, a function that makes them particularly desirable to dieters. Unfortunately, the very stimulants that encourage thermogenics and appetite suppression have been shown to cause serious adverse health effects such as heart failure, seizures, and stroke. Despite these well-publicized health risks, however, dieters still use fat burners to "trim down" because many do lose weight while taking these pills.
Or do they?
Analyses of many of the most popular fat burners show that, for most of them, their purported weight loss benefits are not as impressive as their diet ads claim. This is causing many to question whether the weight loss benefits of these diet products are worth the possible health risks.
Common Fat Burners
Ephedra: Ephedra was once one of the most popular fat burners on the market. Before the Food and Drug Administration banned its use as a diet aid in 2003, a reported 12 to 17 million Americans used it regularly for weight loss and improved athletic performance. Ephedra increases the heart rate and the blood pressure, thereby raising the metabolism, which, studies had shown, helped ephedra users lose weightm in the short term. But there had never been any scientific findings that ephedra had helped these individuals to maintain their weight loss.
There had, however, been many scientific studies that showed that ephedra caused side effects such as headache, nausea, insomnia, dehydration, vomiting, seizures, heart attack, stroke-and even death. (The FDA finally banned this component after more than 100 deaths had been linked to the use of products incorporating ephedra.)
Guarana: Often used in sweetened or carbonated drinks, guarana is a rich source of caffeine. Guarana is used in fat burners to help dieters to feel satiated, as well as to increase stamina and physical endurance. However, the safety of guarana in fat burners is questionable. The Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy published a report stating that two herbal supplements containing guarana were associated with causing a heart rhythm called premature ventricular contraction. More common side effects of guarana are vomiting, cramps, spasms and difficulty urinating.
Citrus Aurantium: Used in herbal weight loss products, citrus aurantium, often called bitter orange, is considered a safe alternative to ephedra. It contains synephrine, a compound that is similar to epinephrine. To date there have not been any problems associated with ingestion of citrus aurantium; however, synephrine is linked to an increase in both blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Cayenne Pepper: The health benefits of cayenne pepper are well documented. Most people do not often associate it with weight loss. But, when taken on a regular basis, cayenne pepper can increase metabolism approximately 25 percent. The main ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin, which also helps burn extra calories. Cayenne pepper itself does not have side effects, but capsaicin is known to produce a number of unpleasant, but essentially harmless symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or swelling.
Coleus Forskohlii: Coleus originates from the mint family, with the root being used for medicinal purposes. Historically, coleus has been used to treat lung and heart disease, intestinal problems and insomnia. More recently, coleus has been linked to weight loss for its ability to stimulate fat metabolism. A study of six obese women showed that 25mg of coleus two times a day for eight weeks caused a certain amount of weight loss (i.e., the women lost an average of ten pounds as well as 8 percent body fat.) But coleus forskohlii has also been shown to cause side effects such as sore throat, upper respiratory tract irritation, coughing, and restlessness.
Green Tea Extract: A common ingredient in many fat burners, green tea extract has a list of health benefits ranging from relieving headaches to fighting free radicals to lowering cholesterol-to losing weight. While a Japanese study showed that adding five cups of green tea to each day's diet burns 70 to 80 calories, for example, it also showed that continuing this green tea regimen for 43 days resulted in the loss of only one pound.
Hoodia Gordonii: Unlike many of the other popular diet aids, hoodia gordonii is not a stimulant. Rather, it comes from an African plant and has been shown to curb appetite on a neurological level-by sending signals to the brain which in turn halts the signaling of hunger pangs. Hoodia has no known side effects; however, experts say that consuming too much could greatly reduce food intake, which in turn might lead to a lowered metabolism, and eventual weight gain. Additionally, diabetics could experience a significant drop in bl
Other than ephedra, most of the above mentioned fat burners have not been linked to actual deaths. However, the possibility of ingesting a substance that could cause serious health risks up to, and including, death should give one pause. Are the possible dangers of these fat burners worth the few extra pounds that could be shed by the traditional-but safe-methods of healthy eating and exercise?
Fat Burners - Are They Worth the Money?
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