Have you hit a plateau in your weight loss journey? Are you looking for a new addition to your health regime? We answer all of your (fat) burning questions on the latest supplement to hit the shelf.
We’ve recently talked about pre-workout supplements and protein powders. But another little tub that might be grabbing your attention in the fitness section of our store could be the “Fat Burner”. Being a nation where 67% of adults are considered overweight or obese, we’ve become acutely aware of anything that might help bring us back into a more healthy weight range.
What does a fat burner supplement do?
As the name suggests, a fat burner supplement is designed to help the body burn fat. Studies suggest that fat burner supplements are more effective for people who are obese and/or people who have hit a plateau in their fat loss goals (plateaus will often happen around the 4-6 week mark of a diet and lifestyle change).
Ingredients such as caffeine or green tea extract may boost metabolism, suppress appetite and help the body use fat for energy. Like any supplement, a fat-burner supplement should be taken in conjunction with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
When to take a fat burner supplement?
Most fitness supplement brands recommend that their fat burners are taken first thing in the morning. This is when the body’s metabolism is at its slowest and the fat burner supplement may help give it a kick start. Because fat burner supplements usually contain caffeine, taking it either late in the afternoon or into the evening is not recommended.
Many people will also use a fat burner as a pre-workout supplement because the power ingredients of caffeine or green tea extract can also increase energy and increase focus.
What ingredients might be in a fat burner supplement?
Caffeine or green tea extract are usually found in fat burner supplements because of their potential to boost the metabolism but they shouldn’t be overshadowed by a bunch of other ingredients. The longer the list of ingredients found in a fat burner supplement means the less effective the caffeine or green tea extract will be in your dose.
L-Carnitine and L-Tyrosine are also common ingredients in fat burner supplements. L-Carnitine helps burn fat by moving it to the mitochondria, where it can be used for fuel during exercise or activity. L-Tyrosine helps create adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which all contribute to boosting the metabolism and reducing the release of stress hormones (which can sometimes increase during exercise).
A word on caffeine
Tolerance for caffeine varies from person to person. Some people who already consume quite a lot of coffee or similar, may not notice the benefits of a fat burner supplement, as the body is accustomed to the caffeine. On the flip side, some people may find that the stimulating properties of caffeine interfere with their natural sleep-wake cycle.
Either way, when adding a fat burner supplement to your diet be aware of other sources of caffeine that you are consuming throughout the day and adjust your intake or supplement dose accordingly.
What does ‘thermogenesis’ mean?
On the packaging of many fat burner supplements you will see the term ‘thermogenesis’ – this is a metabolic process where the body burns calories to produce heat. Thermogenesis happens naturally in the body throughout the day and is influenced by exercise, diet and environmental temperature.
Caffeine, green tea, capsaicin and some other plant extracts are said to boost thermogenesis and potentially increase the amount of calories burned over the course of a day. The number of calories burned as a result of thermogenesis alone is not enough to result in significant weight loss. However, when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, a thermogenic supplement (or thermogenic-inducing foods) may increase the number of calories burned at rest or during regular daily activities.
Is a fat burner supplement the answer to getting rid of fat?
In short, no.
A fat burner supplement is not the magic pill you might have been looking for. But taken in conjunction with a regular exercise regime and a well-balanced diet, a fat burner supplement may help improve the effectiveness of your weight loss efforts and/or move you out of a plateau in your weight loss journey.
If you are curious to try a fat burner supplement or want to have a closer look at our range, pop in store and chat with our knowledgeable staff to find which supplement works best for you. Or feel free to message us on Instagram or Facebook if we missed your question!
