Best Fat Burners

Introduction

Fans of Sylvester Stallone will undoubtedly see a difference in his physique over the course of the “Rocky” franchise. When filming “Rambo” and “Rocky III”, Stallone strictly adhered to a very high protein diet and insane workout routines to increase muscle definition, going from boxer to bodybuilder. At one point, he got his body fat level down to only 2.9%! (An exceptional “beach body” typically has around 10% of fat)!

Even if you don’t want to achieve such an extreme reduction in body fat, there are lots of “fat burners” on the market. “Fat burners” are supplements that are formulated to help you reduce body fat, while not losing muscle. When used together with a proper diet and an exercise routine, they can give you the extra push to get rid of unwanted fat. If you hit on the right one for you, you could end up both feeling and looking healthier.

What are the Different Types of Fat Burner Formulas?

You’ll notice that the ingredients in fat burners will usually fall into one of three categories:

• Thermogenesis: Thermogenesis is how your body produces heat. There are three states of thermogenesis:

  • Non-exercise activity thermogenesis, which is the calories burned when you’re not digesting food or exercising, but just engaging in normal, everyday activities This is in addition to the parameter called the Basal Metabolic Rate, which is the number of calories that your body burns when you’re perfectly at rest, and you haven’t eaten anything for the past 12 hours. Your BMR can be calculated using just your age, gender, height, and weight.

  • Exercise-associated thermogenesis, which is the heat your body produces when exercising,

  • Diet-Induced thermogenesis, where the food that you eat contributes to helping your body create heat. Examples include black pepper extract, chili peppers, or caffeine, which give your body a “warm” feeling. One product in the MSN Top Ten that focuses on thermogenetic ingredients is the Performix SST V2X Extreme Thermogenic Fat Burner.

Performix SST V2X Extreme Thermogenic Fat Burner

• Appetite Suppressants: Many “fat burners” contain ingredients that make you feel satiated. One such ingredient is glucomannan, a type of dietary fiber. If taken with at least 250 ml of water, it converts into a gel that gives you a “full” feeling, so that you don’t have cravings or feel hunger. An example is the Nutraliant Fat Burner Pills, which have 1 gm of Glucomannan in every dose.

Nutraliant Fat Burner Pills

There are also supplements that contain white kidney bean extract. White kidney beans are high in fiber, so they will allow you to feel full on less food. They also are theorized to reduce the body’s absorption of carbohydrates and provide the body with protein and minerals such as manganese, iron, copper, zinc, and potassium. One product in the MSN list of the Top Ten Fat Burners that contains white kidney bean extract is the Envy Nutrition Night Time Fat Burner.

Envy Nutrition Night Time Fat Burner

• Enzymes that break down or block absorption of fats: Some fat burners have ingredients that allow your body to produce enzymes that break down fats, or release the body’s fatty acids so that these fatty acids can be used as fuel. The compound Forskolin is derived from the root of the plant Coleus Forskohlii. Forskolin can help the body produce lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats. An example is the Wellness Tree Forskolin Extract, which provides 3000 mg of forskolin in each pill.

Wellness Tree Forskolin Extract

Alternatively, there are also supplements that focus on the vitamins and minerals that the body uses for breaking down and metabolizing fats. One of the most popular for women is LeanBean, with zinc and Vitamins B6 and B12.

• Stimulants: There are also fat burners that rely on stimulants to make your metabolism work faster, increasing your energy levels and focus. Stimulants will also suppress feelings of hunger or cravings. Typical ingredients will be caffeine or green tea extract. An example is the Hydroxycut HD Matrix.

Hydroxycut HD Matrix

Are There Any Risks in Taking Fat Burner Supplements?

It must be said that these “fat-burning” supplements can have risks. They all have a recommended dosage and can be actually dangerous if that dosage is exceeded. Let’s look at some of the possible risks:

• Healthy levels of body fat: As we mentioned in the introduction, Sylvester Stallone underwent a radical program to reduce his body fat, so as to have a more “ripped”, muscular physique. But, he himself admitted that he would feel woozy after working out so much. And he was drinking as much as 25 cups of coffee a day! (As we saw, caffeine has a thermogenic effect, burning calories by making your body produce heat. It also allows you to feel energized, even without eating a lot.)

Bodybuilders try to achieve around 5% body fat when preparing for a bodybuilding competition. But after the competition, they’ll actually try to gain some of that fat again. This is because body fat helps to store energy and even assists in hormonal functions. Most people with around 10% body fat would be quite pleased with their appearance. Going lower than that should only be done after consulting a physician.

• Risks with fiber supplements: Dietary fiber is very important in keeping your digestive system regular, as well as helping you feel “full” for longer periods of time. But, fiber also absorbs water. Manufacturers warn that you must take adequate amounts of water with supplements containing fiber. For example, glucomannan combines with water and forms a gel. There is a risk of choking or intestinal blockage if you try to swallow it dry. So, make sure to drink plenty of water with it. Also, too much fiber can lead to bloating and gas.

• Avoid stimulants before bed: If you purchase a fat burner supplement that contains stimulants like caffeine or green tea extract, manufacturers will tell you to avoid taking the supplement before bedtime. It will make it more difficult to fall asleep. And proper sleep is also essential for avoiding cravings and snacking, which hamper your attempts to burn off fat.

• Women should avoid stimulant-based fat burners: Some fat burner supplements are recommended for both men and women. However, experts recommend that women should avoid fat burners that rely on stimulants, such as caffeine. Women have a different hormonal balance than men and usually have lower body weight. Thus, stimulants are more likely to cause women to feel jittery and nauseous. Women’s fat burners will rely more on appetite suppressants, such as Glucomannan, or thermogenic ingredients. One such product is Hourglass Fit.

Hourglass Fit Dietary Supplement

Wrap Up

We’ve gone through some of the types of best fat burner supplements that are available on the market, summarizing the theory behind them, and some of the risks. Coupled together with a proper diet and an exercise routine, you should be able to find a supplement here or among the MSN top products that will give you the desired results.