The myth behind fat "burning" supplements

I don’t want to slam a specific store or product, but I think I might have to.  I really strongly dislike GNC-type stores that pretend to be stores for healthy people and “promote” healthiness, but really they are selling products that are not FDA approved, and have little to no support in medical literature.  I want to break down the ingredients in the largest fat burner on the market, Pro Clinical Hydroxycut, and discuss each ingredient.  Also, I would like to make a note that in 2009-2010, that there was 1 reported death specific to hydroxycut use, 23 “serious” medical complications (not specified what), and 17 reports of liver failure. Considering how much of this is sold in a year, they aren’t ridiculous statistics BUT every time there is a serious medical complication, death, or bad report, Hydroxycut will take their product off the market, change one or two ingredients, then pop it right back on the market as a new product with new branding. Plus, I do find it annoying that they have a podiatry resident (in a white lab coat) on the commercial saying that MD’s think hydroxycut is good for you…just goes to show that you can’t believe everything you see on TV!

Ingredients as listed off of the (Pro Clinical) Hydroxycut web site:
Caffeine anhydrous– so we all know what caffeine is (based on my earlier blog) and all this means with the “anhydrous” is that it is a caffeine extract without water; just giving it a fancy name. And because it is part of their “hydroxyboost” they don’t tell you how much is in the product. It will boost your metabolism, especially in high doses.

Acerola concentrate– bascially a cherry/rosehip extract that is high in levels of vitamin C which doesn’t aid in weight loss, and you just pee out all the excess vitamin C that is more than what your body needs.  In high doses, it can make you poop a lot because it is irritating to the GI lining.

Lady’s mantle extract– an herb that was thought to have ‘healing’ powers back when it was first found eons ago. It was said to treat GI disturbances, have antiseptic properties, heal wounds, treat PMS symptoms, and vascular disorders as well as many other medical woes; none of these have been founded in research although it has been shown, in high doses to cause liver failure.

Wild Olive extract– has been shown to be an antioxidant that, reportedly, makes people feel more energized.  The only research done on this product is by a company that makes it and they claim that it is an antioxidant that also kills the HIV virus….so, we all know the “research” might not be as sound as we would hope.  But they do note side effects are headache, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, and muscle/joint aches.

Komijn extract– (Cumin) has been shown to (slightly) decrease cholesterol levels, and it has been shown in moderate doses to decrease plasma glucose levels.  So, it actually can aid in weight loss by altering glucose levels, but really not a good idea to lose weight by changing your glucose levels to make your pancreas and liver work differently.

Wild mint extract (peppermint oil)– basically has been shown in a few small studies in the EU to decrease Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms.  It has not been shown in any way to aid in weight loss.  That being said, it may be needed to offset the GI irritation that can be caused by a couple of the other ingredients.

Goji extract– has antioxidant properties that anticoagulation effects, so you need to be careful if you take blood thinners that your blood doesn’t get too “thin” and prolong bleeding times, and it have no known weight loss properties.

Pomegranate extract– has been used in Indian traditional medicine for years as an anti-diarrheal medication and to treat dysentery and parasites (intestinal), as it is high in Vitamin B and C. There are numerous clinical trials going on to study its usefulness with various medical treatments, but it is not high in antioxidants (as once claimed) and has no current use in weight loss.

Bilberry extract (huckleberry)– is high in vitamin C and antioxidants, and has been shown (although the mechanism is unknown) to help with various eye problems. It has also been shown to decrease blood glucose levels, again, it can help you lose weight, just not in a healthy way.

…And then a bunch of fillers are listed. So, all of this high vitamin C and caffeine can cause GI irritation and pooping, which is why they have added other products (such as the peppermint) to soothe the stomach and prevent the irritation, or at least attempt to.

Besides a couple of ingredients that alter your blood glucose levels and caffeine, none of these ingredients really help you lose weight for the long term and in a way that is sustainable or healthy.  You are spending a bunch of money on a super vitamin C supplement with caffeine and other stuff, basically, and it won’t help you lose weight that you will be able to keep off..  As well, you don’t know how much of each ingredient is in the product, or if they are even IN the product; there have been independent studies of non-FDA regulated supplements showing only 1% of the listed ingredient in the actual supplement, basically you are paying a premium for fillers.

It goes back to the old saying that if it seems to good to be true, it is.  The only way to lose weight, and keep it off (which is key), is to make lifestyle and dietary changes; you need to work out to burn off calories and decrease your caloric intake to the amount that you actually need. Make sure you are eating a well rounded diet proteins, carbs, fiber…and get your fruits and veggies in!!

This is one fat burner of thousands that are on the market, and as you can see the ingredients are things that you really don’t need in your life, that all have side effects, can interact with other medications that you might take (prescribed or OTC), and none of which have been FDA regulated or approved.

My best advice?  Ditch the pills and get out for some exercise!!!

Yours in Good Health
B

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9 thoughts on “The myth behind fat "burning" supplements

  1. how are people getting results if it is just a caffeine poop maker?

  2. I would have agreed with your post but it seems to me that you are biased towards the use of herbal remedies. However, you should realize that ALL MEDICINES are synthetic forms of some natural herbal remedy.

    Leave it to some so-called "experts" no herbal remedies work, and I know they do. I've been using herbal remedies for more than 20 years (although I don't get sick), I do suffer a cold, stomach ache or something like that sometimes and the herbal remedies work.

  3. Anon #1: people lose weight because caffeine boosts your metabolism at first, but then eventually slows down unless you increase your caffeine intake. So you will initially see results, then you will eventually go back to your original body mass.

    Anon #2: If you read my blog, I am not at all anti herbal supplements, but I do believe that you have no idea what you are ingesting if they are not regulated by the FDA; there have been numerous studies of herbal supplementations that have been found to have 1% of what why are claimed and the rest are all fillers (and in some cases, just sawdust). You are more than welcome to do whatever you want to do with your health, my blog is meant to inform people about what they are ingesting, and I will always err on the side of science and research. If you want to constantly take fat burning supplements, you are more than welcome to, and I am not sure what you mean by you "don't get sick" but you get colds and stomach ailments….herbal supplementations are used to treat an ailment, so you probably don't need them. I appreciate your input and that you are reading my blog, and I would like to you know I am actually very open minded about herbal and alternative treatments- I encourage them with many of my other topics, but not fat burners!!

    Thanks for reading!

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  5. You have some interesting info.. People NEED to learn to take responsibility for their own health. They should NOT rely on doctors only nor on the FDA. Oh my goodness…. how many times have I seen ads on TV for a drug one week that is FDA approved and then the following week or month I’m seeing ads from groups of lawyers because of the terrible side-effects of the FDA approved drug? It’s terrible. I’m guessing they’re exempt from suit but boy should they be sued!!!!!
    http://www.pubmed.com is the U.S. National Library of medicine. It has great studies to help people research herbs and other supps. And people need training to triple check then triple check again because you can’t make decisions simply based on studies. But they help. Some are faulty and/or biased so it’s important to check with doctors (preferably naturopathic or integrated not just allopathic) and to cruise the web for possible side-effects. And just because side-effects are listed…. it’s still not a definative “no” to my using something because so often the reactions are very rare…. I look at the whole picture. And M.D.’s have done more harm than good for my family sadly, so I appreciate them, but do my own research. But please…. don’t steer people to trust the FDA. They are a mixed bag of “help”. A hint to readers…. work to keep your blood sugar level with real cinnamon (verum not cassia) and with prickly pear and banaba. Avoid supps that stimulate your body to produce cortisol. The book “The Cortisol Connection” is helpful. I forget the authors name. And there’s a thyroid book titled “Hypothyroidism Type 2” by Dr. Mark Starr that is good. Julia Ross’ info. on amino acids is good… how levels affect diet and addictions. Thanks for your info. on supps! :0) http://jezebel.com/5875716/fda-advisers-who-approved-yaz-tied-to-drug-companies

  6. gnc type of products will never be fda approved because why would fda invest money into expensive testing of herbs that will never sell for millions like pharmaceutical substances like prosaic. fda is not concerned about consumer health… its all about money.

    • I disagree with that, May. To an extent some things are pushed out faster than they should be, but many of the drugs are to treat cancers, HIV/AIDS, and other crises in public health. The “GNC” supplements have been studied by non-FDA sources and have been found to be filled with sawdust and cellulose and minimal amounts of the supplements they are labelled to contain….

  7. I understand that some weight loss formulas are dangerous and individuals should still try to eat as healthy as possible, watch portion sizes, exercise, etc. Yet, throwing out that its bad just because its not regulated by the FDA….is contradictory in my opinion! I am also a RN and in my opinion this country is over medicated first of all and most of it are pharmaceutical meds which are regulated and approved by the FDA. I have also seen liver and kidney damage by these FDA approved medications! There are side effects and some serious adverse effects to almost every drug! Just because it is FDA approved does not make it safe for all to use. This applies to herbal and weight loss products as well. So my advice to anyone is to read about what you plan to ingest…whether its FDA approved or not!

    • Well, Tracie, I appreciate your opinion, and as an RN, you know that the benefits of FDA regulation is that we know many of the benefits, side effects, and interactions with other medications. Everything you put into your body that is not an organic food source is toxic to the body in some ways, but can also be beneficial (think medications) but to say that these fat burning supplements that have lead to numerous people having liver and kidney failure, cardiac disease, and death can actually be healthy is a point we will need to disagree upon. I have never said that everything FDA approved is healthy…

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