Fat burners and other products
If the issue of losing weight is solved by intensive exercise in sports and fitness clubs, then this approach can only be welcomed. But other options are also offered, for example, the use of special drugs, so-called “fat burners”. The manufacturers of these miracle pills advertise them as a panacea for weight gain even without exercise and changes in diet, but they do not address the question at all - are fat burners dangerous? And judging by the advertised effectiveness, they can pose a real danger not only to the fat layer, but also to other organs.
Ephedra-based fat burners: pharmacological action
The desire to get rid of unwanted fat is a reason to think about using the popular ECA mixture. It stands for “ephedrine + caffeine + aspirin.” It is this formula that is considered the most effective, because such drugs release the hormone norepinephrine and instantly interact with adrenergic receptors. Each ephedra fat burner is designed to activate the nervous system to achieve the following goals:
- acceleration of metabolic processes;
- appetite suppressants;
- maximum productive fat burning.
Along with the stimulation of lipolysis, an increase in heart rate and sweating are observed, but these effects are not commensurate with the excellent results obtained after a course of using such sports supplements.
Mechanism of action
Let's take a closer look at the effect of the drugs. All fat burners actively promoted on the market can be divided into several groups, based on their mechanism of action. But it is important to understand one thing - most drugs fall into the category of biological additives. This means that clinical trials have not been carried out with them, most of them are produced using unknown technologies and their real composition is not exactly classified, but is not advertised.
For advertising purposes, only natural ingredients are reported - caffeine, guar gum, green tea, extracts from exotic plants, such as garcinia cambogia and bitter orange. Other components, which may include very effective medicines for various diseases, are not advertised. Their existence is mentioned in passing or is kept silent altogether.
And some of them, for example, sibutramine or fluoxetine, are, respectively, ingredients in cardiac drugs and antidepressants. Ask yourself: why do a healthy person need them? Nobody will buy prescription drugs just like that. After taking such substances, a healthy person will inevitably become sick. Unlike relatively safe extracts from mint or horsetail, these chemical compounds have a very real effect on various body systems. They can cause increased blood pressure, digestive tract upset and other disorders if there is no indication for taking medications.
In various combinations, weight loss drugs cause:
- increased muscle activity;
- decreased appetite;
- acceleration of metabolism;
- increased nervous excitability;
- decreased rate of fat absorption.
But the main thing that makes fat burners dangerous is that all this happens against the background of increased physical activity, which even without drugs is quite a lot of stress for the body.
Fat burners with ephedra
The most effective drugs on the market are fat burners. And the most effective fat burners are fat burners with ephedra. In the shortest possible time, they have already received thousands of positive reviews from overweight people around the world. Let's figure out why?
What is ephedra?
Ephedra is one of several related herb species that commonly grow in desert areas. Biochemists discovered that the ephedra plant was rich in ephedrine and also contained pseudoephedrine. Scientists have previously observed the ability of alkaloids such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to act as a stimulant. This herb is grown in Mongolia and China and acts as a natural amphetamine, stimulating the heart and central nervous system. The main chemical compound in ephedra is ephedrine, isolated about 100 years ago. Ephedra sinensis or Ma Huang is a powerful plant that has been used in Chinese medicine for at least 5,000 years. The Chinese used medicine from the ephedra plant to treat people suffering from asthma and hay fever. The ephedra plant helped open the bronchial passages of the Chinese, who suffered from a then little-studied allergy.
Information about the healing properties of ephedra extract has not completely disappeared from view. It remained untouched, although hidden in those places that were most accessible to people with an inquisitive mind. Eventually, one person with an inquisitive mind discovered this hidden information. He wanted to find out for himself whether what the ancients were talking about was true.
By the early 1990s, a product called ephedra appeared on the shelves of many health food stores. It wasn't a drug - it was considered a supplement. This new product, marketed under the name Ephedra, has gained widespread acceptance. Many dieters have added ephedra to their diet as a fat burner and stimulant. These days, the best fat burners contain ephedra as a main ingredient.
Why are fat burners with ephedra so effective?
Ephedra, entering the body, stimulates the central nervous system by interacting with neurotransmitter receptors, which dilate the bronchi, increase blood pressure and increase heart rate. Because these processes increase the product of thermogenesis, your metabolism speeds up and weight loss is also stimulated. In dietary supplements, ephedra extract is often combined with DMAA, caffeine, guarana, and other ingredients to enhance its effectiveness.
The widespread use of ephedra has allowed the public to see first-hand its ability to aid in weight loss.
Rating of fat burners with ephedra
We have compiled the Top 5 fat burners with ephedra. When compiling the rating, we were based on reviews from our customers and sales volumes of fat burners.
1. Black Mamba - contains a powerful 65 mg of ephedra extract. With Black Mamba you don't have to worry about shaking or nervousness, your weight will simply evaporate. Innovative Laboratories uses only the best ingredients that are certified and authenticated. It is no coincidence that Black Mamba has confidently held the palm among weight loss products for many years.
2. Hell Fire - this fat burner is not for the faint of heart. It is designed for serious weight loss players who want to light a real fire. Containing 150 mg of ephedra, Hellfire is designed to improve metabolism and increase energy levels.
3. Methyldrene 25 - This comprehensive weight loss solution with 25 mg of ephedra will give you an energy boost that will not only help you train, but will also keep you going throughout the day. Methyldrene will suppress your appetite and burn fat, allowing you to get the most out of your workouts.
4. Black Spider 25 - A blend of ephedra, caffeine and white bark (also known as aspirin), has been proven time and time again to be the most effective blend for weight loss, increased energy and appetite suppression. Black Spider combines the stack with green tea, theobromine, cayenne pepper, ginger root and yohimbe in its unique proprietary blend for maximum effectiveness. Cloma Pharma ups the ante even higher by adding Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 for an even higher dose of energy.
5. Kick Ass - This powerful fat burner is uniquely formulated with DMHA to help suppress appetite, increase energy and reduce weight.
Products from American ]Innovative Labs[/anchor] and Cloma Pharma are leading by a wide margin.
Effects of use
- rapid weight loss
- appetite control
- powerful boost of energy for the whole day
Is Ephedra Banned?
Some of our clients are wondering if these fat burners with ephedra are prohibited. We can reassure you - these products, like everything you find in our store, are absolutely legal throughout the Russian Federation.
Where can I buy?
You can always buy fat burners with ephedra in the Spksport.ru store at a competitive price and with excellent reviews. Fast delivery to Moscow and throughout Russia is available. Call 8-800-505-62-25.
Who should not use fat burners with ephedra?
Anyone with a history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, taking MAO inhibitors, severe anxiety, seizure disorder, pregnancy or breastfeeding, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, caffeine sensitivity, peptic ulcer disease, stroke, mental disorders, Angina, depression or prescription medications should not take ephedra without first consulting your doctor.
Author: Kirill Chervotkin is a sports nutrition specialist.
Need help choosing?
Chat with a specialist
Types of fat burners
Based on the type of most pronounced actions, fat burners can be divided into several subtypes. The division is somewhat arbitrary - most drugs, especially those in the expensive price category, act in a complex manner and affect different systems of the body. But all fat burners have priorities. This:
- Diuretics. Causes increased fluid outflow from the body. At the same time, a number of useful substances are washed out, including potassium and sodium necessary for proper functioning of the heart, and the kidneys are overloaded. In some cases, movement of stones in the kidneys and urinary tract is possible. In their action, such fat burners resemble the effect of taking medications for hypertension. If a person has normal or low blood pressure, then taking such a fat burner may result in fainting or arrhythmia.
- Anoreticians. They act at the metabolic level, reducing appetite. They can potentially cause anorexia and nervous disorders and have a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract. The development of anemia is quite possible, especially in women.
- Blockers. Interferes with the absorption of fats. Along the way, the speed and efficiency of protein, amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism decreases. The body goes into starvation mode when eating normally. Deficiency of microelements and vitamins leads to neuroses and other disorders of the nervous system, especially in people engaged in mental work.
- Thermogenic drugs. They cause activation of the cardiovascular system, often accompanied by an increase in temperature. During the activation process, the rate of fat burning increases. Not suitable for people with problems in the circulatory system.
- Lyotropic substances. They accelerate the process of breaking down subcutaneous fat, but can also have a negative effect on the mucous and internal fat layers of the body, which are necessary to protect important organs. Lipotropics have much fewer contraindications than other drugs.
The list shows that there are no completely safe fat burners. But taking them is not prohibited; you just need to consult with a doctor who knows the characteristics of your body so that negative reactions do not occur in the very first days after starting to take dietary supplements.
The real harm from fat burners
There are dozens of types of fat burners on the market, the benefits and harms of which can be judged by their components. Provided that the producers named them in full and did not hide anything. Of course, fat burners containing:
- large amounts of caffeine;
- ephedrine;
- sibutramine;
- thyroxine;
- fluoxetine;
- triamterene;
- amphetamine.
Such drugs can quite reasonably be considered drugs that have not been certified and are prohibited in many countries around the world. If you take them as prescribed by a doctor, and not a single doctor prescribes an untested medicine that is not approved for practice, then maybe they will bring at least some benefit. But when taken unregulated, most of them, especially those containing caffeine, ephedrine and amphetamine, cause addiction and disruption of the hormonal system, which makes fat burners dangerous for women. In this regard, it is very important to know how fat burners work and how the mechanism of the drug’s effect on our body works.
A woman's body is more dependent on hormones than a man's. Taking such drugs leads to the appearance of nervous disorders, disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system and anorexia. Also, most drugs are designed, if such calculations have been made, for a completely healthy body. If malfunctions are noticed:
- liver;
- of cardio-vascular system;
- digestive tract;
- kidney;
- nervous system.
then you need to use fat burners very carefully or completely eliminate them from use. For a completely healthy person, taking fat burning drugs should be done under the supervision of a doctor who checks not only weight, but also the effect of dietary supplements on all organs and systems of the body. Even a noticeable deterioration in mood after taking fat burners can serve as a signal to stop using them, so that the side effects do not overshadow the pleasure of achieving the desired weight.
Deadly weight loss: how fat burners affect the body and internal organs
Rospotrebnadzor spoke about a dangerous fat burner, the circulation of which occurs on social networks and online stores. We are talking about a DNP preparation containing the chemical substance 2,4 dinitrophenol. In Russia, this product is not allowed for sale as a food additive, special food or dietary supplement. This is reported on the department's website.
The Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare reports that the specified product in the Russian Federation is not permitted for circulation as a food product, is not registered as a specialized nutrition for athletes, a medicine, a dietary supplement, or a food additive
- Rospotrebnadzor.
The department also emphasized that this fat burner is advertised and sold online in violation of legal requirements. At the same time, the substance dinitrophenol is used in the production of dyes for impregnation of wood and fabrics and is not intended for ingestion.
Rospotrebnadzor asked Russians not to buy or use this substance. The agency is taking measures aimed at suppressing the circulation of this product.
Poison for weight loss
If you type “dnp fat burner” into any search engine, several dozen sites and groups on social networks will offer to purchase it. Sellers talk about its fantastic fat-burning effect, attaching photographs of athletes with pronounced muscles and no fat.
“DNP is a good anti-catabolic, it does not damage the kidneys and liver, you will get increased immunity during the cycle due to an increase in body temperature, and it is also the best non-hormonal way to lose fat,” says one of the groups on social networks selling the drug.
Fat is really burned when using this drug simply at cosmic speed. But don’t muscles and internal organs suffer from this substance? Side effects are described modestly - sweating, fever, sleep problems, lethargy, weight loss. They supposedly should go away a few days after stopping taking the drug. If they do not go away, they advise you to consult a doctor.
Affects the liver and kidneys
Sellers do not talk about potential and sometimes fatal risks. They also do not say that, in fact, dinitrophenol is a poison that cannot be taken orally. Chemist-biologist Gennady Goryushkin told the 360 TV channel about this. According to him, this substance is sometimes used in dyes, for example, for hair coloring. Its peculiarity is that it “eats” the natural color.
This is an aggressive substance; if it is taken orally, it will have serious consequences for the body. First you will need to neutralize this substance in the body. For example, due to vitamin C
- Gennady Goryushkin.
The drug affects almost all organs and is very difficult to eliminate. The liver and kidneys will suffer the most. The chemist noted that not every body can carry out a detoxification program on its own. “Diseases may arise that, at first glance, appear unexpectedly. Both the liver and kidneys can be affected,” he added.
Fat burners, acetic acid, detergents
Alexei Vodovozov, a general practitioner of the highest category, told 360 that once upon a time, this substance was actually used in medicine - to treat overweight people. However, it was later banned due to its harmful effects on the body.
According to the doctor, people who dream of losing weight sometimes use completely incredible methods for this - for example, drinking concentrated acetic acid in the hope that it will break down fat.
There are so many of them that it is impossible to list them. Starting with the use of concentrated acetic acid and ending with detergents. The logic is this: the product fights fat, which means that if you take it orally, you will have the same effect
— Alexey Vodovozov.
People want to lose weight immediately and strongly, without resorting to sports or a balanced diet. In pursuit of an ideal figure, they use advice from the Internet rather than go to a specialist for help.
Basically, they try to do all this on their own, or using advice from the Internet, without turning to specialists and ignoring scientific approaches in this matter. People, at best, take advantage of their neighbor’s experience; at worst, they use products like these that are sold on the Internet.
— Alexey Vodovozov.
Are there any benefits to fat burners?
The popularity of drugs of this kind in the world suggests that their use still has an effect. If they only brought harm, they would hardly have become so in demand, but instead would have taken the place of narcotic substances prohibited by law and common sense. There is an effect after taking a course of fat-burning pills, often especially noticeable in advanced cases when overweight has turned into a state of obesity. Visual manifestations of the effectiveness of drugs:
- reducing the amount of subcutaneous fat;
- maintaining optimal weight with moderate physical activity;
- normalization of metabolic processes;
- increased performance, including mental performance.
But such changes are noticeable only in the case of a properly selected fat burner that does not contain prohibited or narcotic components. But let us emphasize once again - you can start taking weight loss medications only after consultation with your doctor and regularly see him, without relying on subjective sensations.
Possible side effects
Every person who has taken pills or injections at least once in their life knows very well that the description of each drug has a section that lists possible contraindications and side effects. The more effective the drug, the more adverse events associated with it. It would be strange if such advertised drugs as fat burners did not have side effects. If they are not talked about, it means that manufacturers are deliberately deceiving buyers, or the drug does not have any effect at all, neither expected nor undesirable.
The most common side effects associated with taking fat burners:
- loss of appetite;
- sleep disorders;
- allergy;
- tachycardia;
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- hyperactivity;
- increased excitability.
Allergic reactions and disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system are especially dangerous. If, after taking the first or second capsule or tablet, redness, itching of the skin, or swelling under the eyes occurs on the face or hands, stop taking this supplement immediately. Allergies are one of the most dangerous diseases, the causes of which are not always clear, and the consequences have not been studied.
If tachycardia or, conversely, bradycardia occurs, also eliminate the supplement from your diet until disturbances in the heart function develop into a more serious arrhythmia.
To minimize the number of side effects, use only one type of fat burner. It is highly not recommended to take different drugs at the same time. Firstly, you will not be able to determine which of them has a negative effect, and secondly, no one can guess what reactions may occur between the components of two or more products.
Contraindications for use
There are groups of people who, for ethical or medical reasons, are prohibited from taking supplements containing ephedra.
First of all, these are pregnant women and those who have not yet reached 18 years of age. The second large group is athletes who will undergo doping control.
The World Anti-Doping Committee (WADA) has equated ephedrine and its modifications to the category of doping.
Therefore, athletes are prohibited from taking fat burners with a similar composition. By the way, geranium is also prohibited for use in Olympic sports.
The use of ephedra extract can cause a number of side effects.
Therefore, the drug is not recommended to be taken:
- People with hypertension (high blood pressure)
- For diseases of the cardiovascular system
- People suffering from insomnia and mental overexcitation
- For glaucoma
What is the difference between fat burners for men and women?
In a wide range of different drugs for weight normalization, there are no pronounced differences between male and female dietary supplements. Women need to exclude medications containing hormones from the list to eliminate the risk of malfunction of the genitourinary system. It is also prohibited to use any fat burners during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Otherwise, the selection criteria are the same as for men:
- correspondence of dosage to body weight and age;
- no contraindications;
- selection of drugs that do not contain narcotic components;
- constant consultations with a doctor;
- Immediately stop taking dietary supplements if side effects occur.
If a woman or man has acute or chronic diseases that are not associated with taking fat burners, then it is better not to take them. It is difficult to predict how they will begin to act on the diseased body, and how they will react with other medications. And such reactions are quite real.
Interaction of natural and synthetic components of drugs and fat burners
Questions of this kind occupy doctors all over the world. In particular, laboratory studies were carried out at the US National Institute of Health. Some results are presented in the list:
- Green tea components may potentially react with chemotherapy drugs;
- caffeine and bitter orange extract enhance the effect of stimulants;
- glucomannan affects blood glucose levels, which is dangerous when taking diabetes medications;
- guar gum and the same glucomannan reduce the effectiveness of medications taken in tablet form;
- Bitter orange extract is incompatible with cyclosporine and saquinavir.
There may be many more such contraindications, depending on the chosen fat burner and the condition of the body. To eliminate risks, and they are quite high, be sure to check all drugs for compatibility. Only a professional doctor can do this.
