Weight loss pills or
FAT BURNERS refer to the hundreds of products on the market today that can be purchased over the counter. Their purpose is to somehow burn off the
fat by speeding up metabolism, or blocking
fat in foods, or other methods.
The companies that sell these products employ savvy marketing techniques to hook you, with bold print ads and sometimes less than believable before and after pictures.
Are these products safe? They are not regulated by the FDA so these companies can put whatever herb, vitamin, or mineral in them as long as the substance isn’t illegal. Their have been few, if any, long term studies on any one of the hundreds of
fat burners on the market.
DO THEY WORK? Many of these products have been shown to be effective for
fat loss, though they may have negative side effects. Be aware these products can cause side effects such as rapid pulse, increased blood pressure, constipation, nervousness, sleeplessness, and lack of appetite.
Are they healthy to you and your weight loss goals? The jury is still out on the health benefits of any
fat burner. These products should be looked at as temporary fixes to
weight loss.
Most of them cause a decrease in appetite, which can lead you into a situation of not consuming enough
calories on a daily basis. If you aren’t eating enough daily
calories your
body responds by slowing your metabolism, storing
fat, and using muscle for metabolism. This can result in you losing weight, but muscle instead of
fat.
The
goal in any
weight loss program should be to keep the muscle, lose the
fat.
Fat burners might help you lose some weight in the short term, but once you stop taking them you run a high probability of gaining the weight back, especially if you aren’t following a healthy eating plan and moderate exercise program.
