One study found that yohimbine significantly increased mean weight loss in overweight female patients following a low-energy diet.

Possible mechanisms of action include : boosting lipolysis the breakdown of fats and other lipids by releasing fatty acids into the blood both during and following exercise, regulating insulin secretion, and reducing appetite. Yohimbe also may act as a mild hallucinogenic, causing neurological reactions that can be wide-ranging.

for erectile dysfunction but has undergone resurgence in street use as an aphrodisiac and mild hallucinogen. Cayenne pepper and its molecular compound found capsaicin is a shrub that originated in Central and South America and now grows in subtropical and tropical climates.

Its hollow fruit grows into long pods that turn red, orange or yellow when they ripen. A study published in PloS One noted that consuming cayenne pepper for breakfast creates less appetite , so people eat less calories during the day. As one of the key anti-inflammatory foods , cayenne pepper benefits also include weight loss.

In recent years, forskolin supplements have been used to promote weight loss. There have been very few reputable studies regarding forskolin and its impact on weight loss in humans. The first human research investigating the effects of forskolin on weight loss was conducted in at the University of Kansas and involved 30 overweight or obese men.

This week study involved each man taking either a placebo or milligrams of a 10 percent forskolin extract orally two times each day. It found forskolin to have a positive impact on body composition, decreasing body fat percentage and fat mass. Later that year, a second human study conducted at Baylor University that was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition was conducted with 23 mildly overweight women.

They were given the same dosage as the men in the first study, also for a week period. In addition, no significant differences were found in any metabolic markers or blood lipids such as increased testosterone found in the first study. They did postulate that forskolin seemed to prevent the development of new fat mass.

They found that the subjects taking it reported less fatigue, hunger and fullness. Raspberry ketones are chemicals from red raspberries that are used for their flavor and fragrance. There are some studies involving rodents that have mixed reviews, but suggest that raspberry ketones may help to reduce food intake and thereby promote weight loss.

A animal study out of Ohio State University found that raspberry ketone supplementation has limited benefit in fat loss beyond reducing food intake in mice fed a high-fat diet. Taurine is a type of amino acid that is found in the tissues throughout the body.

It can also be produced in small amounts. Taurine, or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is a type of amino acid that is found in the body and is considered the most abundant amino acid in the heart, retina, skeletal muscle, brain and immune cells.

L-taurine is often added to energy drinks for those looking to take advantage of the potential taurine benefits. It is believed to be associated with a number of health benefits, such as increased fat-burning during exercise and improved heart health. Thermogenic supplements can cause side effects, some severe, or longer-lasting health problems.

Here are some of them. As one of the largest organs in the body, the liver supports many essential metabolic functions, including transforming nutrients from the foods we eat into substances our bodies can use, processing harmful substances and breaking down fat for energy.

However, certain thermogenic supplements have been found to induce acute liver failure. When this occurs, individuals can experience an increase in insomnia, nervousness, jitteriness and even vomiting. Most supplements instruct users to take several pills a day.

Causing or increasing anxiety is also a major side effect of too much caffeine in the body. Certain other active ingredients in particular thermogenic supplements can also cause adverse effects.

Brown CM, McGrath JC, Midgley JM, Muir AG, O'Brien JW, Thonoor CM, Williams CM, Wilson VG: Activities of octopamine and synephrine stereoisomers on alpha-adrenoceptors. Br J Pharmacol. Article PubMed Central CAS PubMed Google Scholar.

Lafontan M, Berlan M, Galitzky J, Montastruc JL: Alpha-2 adrenoceptors in lipolysis: alpha 2 antagonists and lipid-mobilizing strategies. Berlan M, Le Verge R, Galitzky J, Le Corre P: α 2 -adrenoceptor antagonist potencies of two hydroxylated metabolites of yohimbine. Pang J, Choi Y, Park T: Ilex paraguariensis extract ameliorates obesity induced by high-fat diet: Potential role of AMPK in the visceral adipose tissue.

Arch Biochem Biophys. Heck CI, de Mejia EG: Yerba Mate Tea Ilex paraguariensis : a comprehensive review on chemistry, health implications, and technological considerations. J Food Sci. Article Google Scholar. Vaagenes H, Madsen L, Dyroy E, Elhom M, Stray-Pedersen A, Froyland L, Lie O, Berge RK: Methylated eicosapentaenoic acid and tetradecylthioacetic acid: effects on fatty acid metabolism.

Nakamura M, Ishii A, Nakahara D: Characterization of β-phenylethylamine-induced monamine release in rat nucleus accumbens: a microdialysis study. Eur J Pharmacol. Dourish CT, Boulton AA: The effects of acute and chronic administration of beta-phenylethylamine on food intake and body weight in rats.

Prog Neuropschopharmacol. Paterson IA, Juorio AV, Boulton AA: 2-phenylethylamine: a modulator of catecholamine transmission in the mammalian central nervous system?. J Neurochem. Download references. Department of Health and Exercise Science, The College of New Jersey, PO Box , Ewing, New Jersey, , USA.

You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar. Correspondence to Jay R Hoffman. Vital Pharmaceuticals. Davie, FL provided funding for this project. All researchers involved independently collected, analyzed, and interpreted the results from this study and have no financial interests concerning the outcome of this investigation.

Publication of these findings should not be viewed as endorsement by the investigator, The College of New Jersey or the editorial board of the Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition. SCR, and CPT were co-authors, assisting with data collection and data analysis.

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. Reprints and permissions. Hoffman, J. et al. Thermogenic effect of an acute ingestion of a weight loss supplement.

J Int Soc Sports Nutr 6 , 1 Download citation. Received : 04 November Accepted : 06 January Published : 06 January Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:.

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative. Skip to main content. Search all BMC articles Search. Download PDF. Download ePub. Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of a weight loss supplement on resting oxygen uptake VO 2 , respiratory quotient RQ , caloric expenditure kcal , heart rate HR , and blood pressure BP in healthy and physically active individuals.

Methods Ten subjects 5 male, 5 female; Results Area under the curve analysis revealed a significant Conclusion Results indicate a significant increase in energy expenditure in young, healthy individuals following an acute ingestion of a weight loss supplement.

Methods Subjects Ten subjects 5 male, 5 female; Study design The study followed a double-blind, crossover design. Questionnaires The profile of mood states POMS was administered seven times during each testing session. Supplement On each visit subjects ingested either 3 capsules of Meltdown ® SUP or a placebo PL.

Statistical analyses Statistical analysis of the data was accomplished using a repeated measures analysis of variance.

Figure 1. Full size image. Table 1 Average hourly cardiovascular and energy expenditure measures Full size table.

Figure 2. Figure 3. Average 3-Hour Fat Utilization. Figure 4. Discussion The results of this study indicate that a weight loss supplement containing anhydrous caffeine, synephrine, tetradecylthioacetic acid, yerba mate extract, methylphenylethylamine, yohimbine, and hordenine is effective in increasing acute energy expenditure in young, healthy individuals.

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Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar Sabelli H, Borison RL, Diamond BI, Havdala HS, Narasimhachari N: Phenylethylamine and brain function. Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar McNair DM, Lorr M, Droppleman LF: Profile of Mood States Manual. Article PubMed Google Scholar Slezak T, Francis PS, Anastos N, Barnett NW: Determination of synephrine in weight-loss products using high performance liquid chromatography with acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence detection.

Article CAS Google Scholar Frank M, Weckman TJ, Wood T, Woods WE, Tai CL, Chang SL, Ewing A, Blake JW, Tobin T: Hordenine: pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and behavioral effects in the horse. Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar Vukovich MD, Schoorman R, Heilman C, Jacob P, Benowitz NL: Caffeine-herbal ephedra combination increases resting energy expenditure, heart rate and blood pressure.

Article PubMed Google Scholar Brown CM, McGrath JC, Midgley JM, Muir AG, O'Brien JW, Thonoor CM, Williams CM, Wilson VG: Activities of octopamine and synephrine stereoisomers on alpha-adrenoceptors.

Article PubMed Central CAS PubMed Google Scholar Lafontan M, Berlan M, Galitzky J, Montastruc JL: Alpha-2 adrenoceptors in lipolysis: alpha 2 antagonists and lipid-mobilizing strategies.

CAS PubMed Google Scholar Berlan M, Le Verge R, Galitzky J, Le Corre P: α 2 -adrenoceptor antagonist potencies of two hydroxylated metabolites of yohimbine.

Article PubMed Central CAS PubMed Google Scholar Pang J, Choi Y, Park T: Ilex paraguariensis extract ameliorates obesity induced by high-fat diet: Potential role of AMPK in the visceral adipose tissue. Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar Heck CI, de Mejia EG: Yerba Mate Tea Ilex paraguariensis : a comprehensive review on chemistry, health implications, and technological considerations.

Article Google Scholar Vaagenes H, Madsen L, Dyroy E, Elhom M, Stray-Pedersen A, Froyland L, Lie O, Berge RK: Methylated eicosapentaenoic acid and tetradecylthioacetic acid: effects on fatty acid metabolism. Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar Nakamura M, Ishii A, Nakahara D: Characterization of β-phenylethylamine-induced monamine release in rat nucleus accumbens: a microdialysis study.

Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar Dourish CT, Boulton AA: The effects of acute and chronic administration of beta-phenylethylamine on food intake and body weight in rats. The supplement led to 47 hospitalizations, with three patients requiring liver transplants. Information has not been released on whether the remaining hospitalizations resulted in permanent damage.

In addition, one death was linked to this particular supplement. A substance called aegeline is suspected of causing these adverse effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Aegeline also appears on labels under its scientific name, N-[2-hydroxy-2 4-methoxyphenyl ethyl]phenylpropenamide. This compound is extracted from leaves of an Indian plant called Marmelos Correa and has not been tested in humans for fat loss or exercise performance.

Many fat burners contain substances such as bitter orange, which may increase blood pressure and heart rate to levels that are not safe. Known by its botanical name Citrus aurantium, bitter orange contains synephrine alkaloids, which are stimulants found as main ingredients in fat burners sold over-the-counter and on the Internet.

The National Institutes of Health report that heart attack and stroke are linked to bitter orange in healthy people with no obvious risk factors.

In one case report published in the Texas Heart Institute Journal in , a year-old active, healthy man taking a synephrine-containing supplement experienced a blood clot in a main artery that supplies blood to the heart. He was successfully treated in the hospital and recovered.

The researchers linked the adverse effect to the fat burner supplement. Whether or not a fat burner the potential to raise your metabolism depends on the active ingredient.

Some ingredients may do this, while others lack scientific support.

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Uta Boellinger is a registered nutritional therapist and lecturer who specialises in helping busy women balance their hormones, feel re-energised and optimise their health. She is also the in-house nutritionist at The Agora Fertility Clinic in Sussex. For the most accurate results, please enter a full postcode.

All nutrition professionals are verified. In this article, we'll uncover how tracking your glucose for just two weeks can unlock mysteries of weight gain, bl Indulging in a delicious stack of pancakes is a timeless breakfast pleasure.

For those seeking a gluten and dairy-f One of my goals when working with clients is to share knowledge about nutrition and food to empower them to make th I contacted my nutritionist because I had some bloatin I've always taken supplements and eaten what I thought was a healthy diet, but I was constantly plagued with acid reflux The help and advice from my nutritionist, with my aim of losing weight, has been invaluable.

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Save profile Saved. Email me. View profile. Show comments. Find a nutritionist dealing with Weight management What type of session are you looking for? Location Search by location. Related Articles. Why I think everyone should track their glucose In this article, we'll uncover how tracking your glucose for just two weeks can unlock mysteries of weight gain, bl Diabetes elevates your blood sugar levels and puts you at risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Losing weight can help manage blood sugar levels, and therefore improves your chances of avoiding heart problems. Losing weight is good for your heart and your overall health.

However, losing weight too rapidly can be dangerous. Here are some of the ways losing weight the wrong way can have a negative impact on your heart. When you get impatient and try to drop weight too quickly, you can rob your body of essential nutrients it needs to function.

Some liquid diets and those that limit calorie intake to the point of starvation are extremely dangerous. Poor nutrition can lead to many health conditions, including arrhythmia , loss of heart muscle mass, and ultimately heart damage.

These negative effects of weight loss can be prevented with a sensible diet and appropriate exercise routine. Our experts at Phoenix Heart can help you lose weight safely while strengthening your heart and your overall health.

Call one of our six offices in the greater Phoenix area or use the online booking feature to make an appointment. Weight Loss and Its Effect on Your Heart.

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Thermogenic supplements are dietary supplements that rely on a concept called thermogenesis to promote fat loss in the body. Thermogenesis, simply put, is the production of heat.

Thermogenic supplements increase heat production in the body so body fat is used as energy instead of fat. Manufacturers claim that the supplements boost metabolism , suppress your appetite so you eat less throughout the day and encourage weight loss quickly , helping you lose those pounds faster after hitting the gym.

The active ingredients in thermogenic supplements vary by brand, but most contain a cocktail of stimulants like caffeine, guarana, green tea extract, garcinia cambogia and others.

Interestingly enough, dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration FDA. So while every drug sold in the U. Currently, drugs in the U.

Thermogenics are considered safe until proven otherwise. The FDA does have the authority to force a company to stop selling a particular supplement — after the FDA proves the product poses a serious health risk. Ephedra, or ephedrine, was one such thermogenic supplement that was finally prohibited by the FDA because of many consumers getting sick or worse from it.

While thermogenic supplements are brand-based, they use a variety of active thermogenic ingredients in order to supposedly increase heat production in the body so body fat is used as energy instead of fat.

Caffeine is a compound that acts as a central nervous stimulant, increasing energy levels and alertness while helping to fight off fatigue.

Caffeine pills , on the other hand, are a type of supplement made using caffeine, either extracted from natural sources or manufactured synthetically.

Like other supplements such as green coffee bean extract, guarana or coffee fruit , people typically use it as a quick and convenient way to take advantage of the unique health benefits associated with caffeine.

In fact, research shows that caffeine consumption may help reduce the risk of depression, boost metabolism and even improve exercise performance. Keep in mind that caffeine pills are different from caffeine powder, a supplement that the Federal Drug Administration has classified as dangerous and unlawful.

Guarana is a type of climbing plant that is native to the Amazon. This plant is prized for the seeds from its powerful fruit.

The seeds are very high in caffeine. They are often used as an additive in energy drink. Because of the guarana seed caffeine content, the seeds may come with other health benefits besides boosting energy levels. In addition to fighting physical fatigue, some research indicates that guarana can help reduce mental fatigue as well.

One study published in the journal Appetite showed that taking it was able to decrease mental fatigue associated with sustained mental effort in participants. According to some research findings, consuming antioxidants found in green tea , especially catechins and the compound called EGCG, may promote metabolic health and modestly prevent weight gain.

Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit, also known as the Malabar tamarind, that appears in popular weight-loss supplements. Supposedly, it prevents your body from making fat while stalling your appetite. The key active ingredient found in the rind of garcinia cambogia fruit is hydroxycitric acid HCA , which some research suggests can help certain people lose weight.

Is garcinia cambogia safe to take? What are the side effects of garcinia that can potentially occur? This problem appears to be uncommon, but some cases were severe. It can easily be overused and is not very well-regulated. Some manufacturers recommend taking high doses multiple times per day, for example 30 to 60 minutes before every meal, for eight to 12 weeks straight, which can wind up causing toxicity.

Yohimbe or yohimbine is an herbal supplement. For example, one product contained sibutramine, a drug previously prescribed for obesity but removed from the market in due to increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Another contained an unapproved laxative known to increase the risk of cancer. Yet another contained a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, which is used to treat depression and can cause seizures and increase bleeding risk in people taking medications such as blood thinners.

Fat burners have long been linked to case reports of liver damage due to these products. In , an outbreak occurred that the FDA linked to one particular fat burner, which it subsequently removed from the market.

The supplement caused nearly cases of hepatitis -- liver inflammation -- across the United States, according to a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine in April The supplement led to 47 hospitalizations, with three patients requiring liver transplants.

Information has not been released on whether the remaining hospitalizations resulted in permanent damage. In addition, one death was linked to this particular supplement.

A substance called aegeline is suspected of causing these adverse effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Aegeline also appears on labels under its scientific name, N-[2-hydroxy-2 4-methoxyphenyl ethyl]phenylpropenamide.

This compound is extracted from leaves of an Indian plant called Marmelos Correa and has not been tested in humans for fat loss or exercise performance.

Many fat burners contain substances such as bitter orange, which may increase blood pressure and heart rate to levels that are not safe. Known by its botanical name Citrus aurantium, bitter orange contains synephrine alkaloids, which are stimulants found as main ingredients in fat burners sold over-the-counter and on the Internet.

The only real pro to coffee when it comes to weight loss is that it has been shown to be an appetite suppressant. This may be beneficial for some people on a weight loss journey. Whilst caffeine stimulates the release of adrenaline, which boosts metabolism, EGCG enhances these effects by slowing the breakdown of adrenaline so that its impact is amplified.

However, it is still unclear whether this leads to actual weight loss results. One study found that overweight people who were given green tea supplements daily for at least 12 weeks lost only 0.

Not exactly great results. Capsaicin is the molecule that makes chilli peppers spicy — the spicier the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. Just like caffeine, capsaicin stimulates the release of adrenaline, which speeds up metabolism, causing your body to burn more calories.

It also reduces appetite, which may help you eat fewer calories. Together, these effects might actually have an impact. A review of 20 studies found that capsaicin supplements can boost metabolism by about 50 calories per day, which is certainly a much higher amount than good old caffeine.

However, there is some evidence that your body can adapt to capsaicin, reducing these effects over time. So, on the whole, using thermogenics may not be the way forward and certainly not as your only means of losing weight. However, combined with exercise and a sensible diet as well as their appetite-suppressing effects, there may be an argument for including them on your weight loss journey.

In my experience weight gain or loss is multifactorial, and a combination of approaches is usually best. It is also true however that some foods have a higher thermic effect than others.

Out of the macronutrients for example protein is by far the best choice for weight loss as it requires the most energy in order to be broken down. Some of the best foods to include are fish and seafood as well as lean meats and eggs.

Beans and legumes, tofu or tempeh and of course high protein seeds such as hemp are the best alternatives for those on a plant-based diet. Be aware though that while many people tolerate thermogenic supplements well, they can cause unpleasant side effects in some; nausea, constipation, abdominal pain and headaches are not uncommon.

As mentioned above, thermogenics work by increasing metabolism which can cause an increase in blood pressure. If high blood pressure is an issue for you, you may wish to steer clear. Very high-dose caffeine supplements containing g or more can also cause heart palpitations, anxiety and dizziness.

Finally, several studies have reported a link between these types of supplements and intestinal inflammation. As a nutritional therapist , I do not usually recommend these types of supplements in my clinic although I have found them incorporated into blends, especially protein shakes and pre-workout drinks.

Where this is the case, I am usually happy to include them. As long as it is at low doses I feel that they can only have a positive impact. In my experience weight gain or loss is multifactorial, and a combination of approaches is usually best, so adding the occasional thermogenic to the toolbox as part of a blend of nutrients is something I would consider a benefit.

If you are considering using these without supervision my advice would be to exercise caution and know that when it comes to weight loss, there simply is no magic pill. The views expressed in this article are those of the author.