In a better world burning fat and shedding excess weight would be as easy if not easier than putting it on. Unfortunately, our bodies have other ideas and the battle to burn fat can be a long, frustrating and drawn out affair. However, all is not lost; a carefully put together eating plan and structured workout regime can put you on the path to becoming a lean, mean and shredded machine. What’s more, supplement companies are constantly on the search for ways to help you reach your goals. A testament to this is the wide variety of
supplements on the market today, including
fat burners. The question is, do you really need fat burners? And do they even work? We address these questions in the blog. Read on to find out more.
What are fat burners?
A thorough review conducted by Jeukendrup and Randell (2011) defined the term ‘fat burner’ as a term used to describe nutrition supplements that are claimed to acutely increase fat metabolism or energy expenditure, impair fat absorption, increase weight loss, increase fat oxidation during exercise, or somehow cause long-term adaptations that promote fat metabolism. Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? But, is it?
How your metabolism works
Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. Whether you’re at rest or active, your body requires energy to carry its functions efficiently and properly. Some of these processes may include adjusting hormone levels, cell maintenance and circulating blood. Where do calories come in? Your body uses calories to perform these functions with the number of calories required to perform the basic functions being known as your basal metabolic rate.
The effect of quality fat burners
Fat burners help you reach your body fat goals by :
- Boosting your metabolism
- Helping you control your appetite
- Promoting fat as a source of energy
- Raising your core temperature
Ingredients proven to help your metabolism
Green tea has been proven to have the properties of increasing your metabolism both at rest and during exercise. This makes it an avenue worth exploring for reducing your body fat percentage.
While you might have an appreciation of a good cup of coffee, you might also unwittingly be lending a helping hand to your metabolism. Caffeine has, in some situations, been shown to increase energy expenditure at rest or fat oxidation (at rest and during low-intensity exercise). However, these effects are reportedly less obvious during moderate- to high-intensity exercise. Ultimately, on its own caffeine has not been shown to be a comprehensive solution for enhancing fat metabolism, though it is adept at improving it as long as it is part and parcel of a healthy lifestyle.
L-carnitine comes from both red meats and dairy products, playing an important role in fat metabolism. It is a low-molecular-weight compound obtained from the diet that also is biosynthesized from the essential amino acids lysine and methionine (Charles Hoppel). The role it plays includes transporting long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria to produce energy, effectively targeting fat as an energy source for exercise and activity.
A parting word
Not all supplements are created equal with some containing substances that have no conclusive evidence of effectiveness as fat burners. Furthermore, the brands that produce them may not produce them to the required standard so it’s important to ensure you get yours from reputable brands and supplement stores that stock high-quality products. Look out for our blog on how to maximise the benefits of your fat burners to ensure you reap all the rewards and get the lean and mean or slim and slender physique you’ve always wanted.
References:
Jeukendrup, A. E. and Randell, R. (2011), Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism. Obesity Reviews, 12: 841–851. doi:10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00908.x Hoppel, Charles, The role of carnitine in normal and altered fatty acid metabolism, American Journal of Kidney Diseases , Volume 41 , S4 - S12 Powerhouse is committed to helping you every step along the way to reaching your ideal physique and maintaining it into the future. We stock a quality range of fat burners that have been proven to be effective when used correctly. For advice or an extensive range of the best supplements on the market
get in touch with us today.
