In the world of fitness and in society as a whole, we are always looking for the next best thing to help us stay fit or lose weight. Our desire to stay healthy is important, but it’s also important to know whether we are making the healthiest decisions on our path to fitness.
Fat burners: are they something you should consider using in your fitness routine? Do they actually work, or are you throwing away your money? To help you determine if this is a fad that you should actually get into, keep reading.
What Is a Fat Burner?
A fat burner may at first sound like a tool to use to magically get rid of fat, but a fat burner is actually a supplement that people take to reduce their appetite and increase metabolism. While some people may think that this means a “little magical pill,” the truth is that fat burners are only an aid to help one lose weight quickly, along with other things like a good diet and exercise.
How Do Fat Burners Work?
Much of what makes a fat burner work is what’s inside (which we’ll get to later) but to put it simply, the ingredients in a fat burner allow your body to be stimulated in such a way that mobilizes fat. Fat that is stationary builds up and causes weight gain.
For example, say that you happen to have a lot of fat on your thighs or belly. This could be where fat tends to settle on your body. When fat is mobilized, it heads to your bloodstream, and this is when it can be burned. Hence, the importance of working out along with the use of fat burning supplements. If not, what do you can happen? That’s right; your fat will store up again, causing the issues that you’re trying to get rid of.
Most of all, they help to decrease your appetite so that you’re not prone to binge eating and can help to increase thermogenesis, which helps to lead to weight loss.
What’s Inside?
So, about this supplement; where does this “magic” come from? The ingredients in most fat burners are usually the following:
Green Tea
Over the ears, green tea has been considered to be a helpful tool in burning fat. Because its full of antioxidants and caffeine, it may be true that it helps in weight loss.
Black Pepper
It is said that black pepper helps to reduce fat cells so that your body produces less. While this isn’t completely proven, research suggests that it may be true.
CLA
Often found in meat sources, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is a great substance that has fat-loss effects, making it important for your weight loss goals.
L-Carnitine Tartrate
This ingredient is great for helping you out with energy. The more energetic you feel, the easier it is to burn those calories and work off fat, making it a great ingredient.
Green Coffee Bean
A great source of antioxidants, the green coffee bean helps your body to function well, aiding your weight loss and overall health.
Garcinia Cambogia Extract
Often used in weight loss supplements, this is a favorite ingredient in many different kinds of fat-burning supplements and pills. It is surprisingly not the most important ingredient found in fat burners.
Caffeine
Because caffeine is a stimulant that helps to increase the presence of epinephrine in the body, your body responds by breaking down fatty acids. This turns them into fuel, which is important for your metabolism and burning calories in your workout. Also, caffeine is known to be a great appetite suppressant.
Thermodiamine
Found in a fruit, this ingredient is helpful in increasing your body’s temperature. Why would you want to do this? Because it helps to burn calories and decrease your appetite.
Are They Safe? Tips For Safe Use
For the most part, the ingredients in fat burners are relatively safe. While overdoing it is never a good idea, the natural ingredients are often very good for your body. But, it is always important to pay close attention to the ingredients in the supplements that you want to buy because they aren’t always the same.
Hidden ingredients may be found in some options where the manufacturers add fillers for whatever reasons. Also, if you’re sensitive to substances like caffeine or have an allergy to anything you see in the fat burner you’re considering, then stay far away from them.
If the supplements come with instructions or how-to’s, pay attention. Some people tend to think that a vitamin or supplement is good for them, so they can take as many as they want. Sometimes, too much of a good thing can have a very bad effect, so make sure that you follow the instructions.
You don’t need to take these supplements for the rest of your life. In fact, taking a break from them during your weight loss journey can even be good for you. It can make them have a bigger impact on your body when you re-start them again.
It is important to pay attention to how much caffeine you may already be taking on a daily basis as most supplements are rich in caffeine, and you don’t want to overdo it. Take your time and do your research before buying any supplement as some are known to contain harmful ingredients or are not helpful at all.
Should You Use Fat Burners?
Unless you have some type of health issue that would impede using supplements, if you do your research and find the most natural and safe options, then why not? Don’t forget that they aren’t a magical pill that will automatically make you slim, but they can greatly enhance your efforts with exercise and a healthy diet.
The energy buzz provided by fat burners and the suppressed appetite are helpful, but the real results will come from your commitment to weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Don’t forget to exercise when taking fat burners as a lack of movement and exercise can result in your fat being stored and not burned.
