This is one of the more common behind the scenes questions I get. Some of my clients want to know what I take and what I recommend they should take. I should tell you straight off and publically that during my first 12 week program I took none, nota, zip. After that I began taking guarranna and green tea extract eventually trying a variety of products with different measures of success. I don’t believe that fat-burners are all that, but I do believe they can provide certain benefits towards the end of a well executed and disciplined program when you need an extra push.
In some of my research on ingredients I found 3 very popular ingredients in products advertised on TV and found in stores ranging from the corner grocery store to the big box stores that I’d like to draw attention to in this article. There are other ‘designer’ compounds available, but in this article I want to address those more commonly pushed on the infomercials.
There is new data rolling in that is supporting the existence of side effects and many of the more reputable manufacturers are discontinuing the use of these ingredients. Right now most data appears anecdotal, but here is a quick break down of the 3 most common ‘magic bullets’ with their perceived issues and side-effects.
Bitter Orange aka Cirtrus Aurantium, Synephrine has caused problems with folks with high or low blood pressure, thyroid problems and heart problems detected and undetected. So far the only testing done for cardiovascular health has been on animals.
Coleus forskohlii stimulates thyroid activity especially when combined with caffiine. Dynamite product except it has potential dangers in people with thyroid problems.
The products are also banned for use by the NFL believe it or not – what do they know about the product we don’t?
GNC – doesn’t carry products with Coleus forskohlii and Walmart won’t carry products with Synephrine. What do they know that we don’t? Legal liability? Why?
If we listen to the supplement industry on these products they are safe and effective, but that doesn’t change the fact that for some people there are problems. Not to mention some of the other ingredients in many of these products are banned substances from amature and professional athletic organizations.
The best fat burner is your ALIVE and FIT Solution workout. If you want to supplement a thermogenic caffine based herbs like guarranna and green tea extract are still the best bets and safest for people who can take caffine. They are slow release and contain many great anti-oxident properties. Because natural caffine is slow release so you shouldn’t experience the shakes and rapid heart rate unless you are hyper-sensitive to caffine.
As always this is just info. Education is your best tool when it comes to supplements especially fat burners. You may have no issues with any of these items and that is great, but there is a population that does so care should always be taken when considering supplements of this nature and consultation with your doctor maybe your best protection against bad things happening.
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