The Weight Loss Pill? Which Burns the most FAT?

Ah the one question I get asked a million of times a day.

Weight loss pills are the most popular item out on the shelves of gyms, nutrition stores, and fitness websites. They are so common that there are hundreds of brands to choose from. All claiming to be the best in the biz--- Guaranteed Results!

Let me give you a brief history. Weight loss pills are categorized as a "Thermogenic."--- A thermogenic is designed to increase body heat which raises metabolism and attacks body fat directly. One of the most key components in a fat burning supplement is ephedrine and caffeine. Both are powerful stimulants and both diuretics, which excretes tons of water from your body. Mix them together and be ready for increased body heat, a super elevated heart rate, body burning calories, appetite suppressant, and a dehydrated body. A great way to lose weight right? WRONG.

Chances are if you lost any weight it is usually water weight that your body sweated out. So what's the point if your are going to gaining back from drinking water and fluids anyways? And let's not forget if you are working out, you have little fuel for juice because of the appetite suppressing stimulant in the pill--- I hope you like feeling nauseated. But in the end yes you will lose weight on the scale. Sounds like fun. And if you still choose to pop pills Good Luck.

Let's face it, every drug out there has side effects. Thermogenics can lead to headaches, dry mouth, anxiety, fatigue, nausea, and more... 

I will say however that thermogenics taken at a competitive world seems to work out fine. But the only difference is that these athletes ARE at another level. There body is at their prime, their training is radical, and thermogenics are skillfully added by team physicians to cut a FEW pounds. Remember athletes don't need to lose weight, they use them as part of training or competition.

On the flip side the vast majority who use thermogencis are US. The every day average Joe who works 8-5pm, has hypertension, overweight or obese, and workouts out twice a week on the treadmill. There is a huge difference between the two. And usually the average Joe has NO idea of the harmful side effects and pops pills by the handful. Believe me I have seen it happen. 

What about research. For the most part the research and success hyping the supplement is based in a "controlled" laboratory setting and are usually mid level athletes. Think about it. The lab needs hardcore, dedicated, extremely disciplined trainees to optimize their results, present to board and make millions.

Take home message:

Do thermogencics help you lose weight? Yes it does. But unfortunately it is usually water. Will it help me burn more calories a day? Yes it will. But at Dangerous Cost. Is it worth taking it? Absolutely not! Don't be surprised like any crash diet to experience an increase in weight gain and have flabbier spots.