Fat Burners

The skinny on fat burners*

There’s no proof they’re safe — or even work, experts say

By Barb Berggoetz and Jon Anderson

 

Are you surprised your uniform is feeling a little snug after gorging yourself on turkey and pumpkin pie?
You’re not alone, and not just because we’ve hit the diet-busting, waist line-ballooning holiday season.
According to the latest Defense Department surveys, among those in uniform aged 20 and older, a whopping 61 percent are classified as overweight.

So, you’d be forgiven if you’ve started wondering about those ads. You know, the ones with the super-ripped prize fighter or sexy-svelte model promising the “clinically-proven” pills with “all-natural herbal ingredients” that will slim you down in no time.

You’re too smart to believe that kind of hype, but just like the infantry platoon that might want to call in an airstrike when things get messy, there’s nothing wrong with looking for a little help in your dieting battles.
But like close-air support, you should know there can be added layers of risk when you look to diet aids, say experts.

The message from sports docs, nutrition gurus and fitness experts: Be wary.
“While it is true that some supplements may provide health benefits, others are unnecessary since food can generally supply all these nutrients,” according to the Army-produced Warfighter’s Guide to Dietary Supplements. Some pills are unproven while others can be outright dangerous.

That’s why some experts advise steering clear of all supplements, but that’s clearly not happening with fitness-fanatic troops seeking a quick fix — or at least a boost when dieting and exercise aren’t cutting it. A recent study by the Consumer Reports National Research Center found 10 percent of dieters have turned to weight-loss supplements — with those under age 35 using them most often. And the rate among service members is likely even higher.

Indeed, according to Exchange and Commissary News, sales of dietary supplement and sport nutrition sales are up 29 percent over last year alone among military shoppers.

The number of so-called fat- burners on the market is growing, and demand remains strong, says Dr. Marvin Lipman, chief medical adviser for Consumer Reports in New York.

That’s true despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ban of the stimulant ephedrine in 2004 due to higher risk of heart problems and stroke and last May’s recall of the popular supplement Hydroxycut. More than 9 million packages of Hydroxycut products were sold in 2008. But the FDA took action after getting 23 reports of liver damage and one death related to the supplement.

The diet supplements called fat-burners are designed to rev up your metabolism, increase energy and, in some cases, suppress your appetite.

The fat-burners found to be most effective may have five to seven stimulating ingredients — from caffeine and green-tea extract to bitter orange (touted as an “ephedra substitute”) — that when working together are more likely to increase heart rate and blood pressure, said pharmacist Amy Peak, Butler University’s drug information services director.

The risk of a heart attack or stroke is greater for users who are overweight because they are more likely to have cardiovascular problems, she added.

She doesn’t go as far as saying all fat-burners are dangerous for everyone and no one should take them, but Peak says all must be aware of the risks.

If dizziness or lightheadedness occur, then people should stop taking them because those are warning signs, she said.

Some fat-burning supplements do have supporters — at least for certain brands.

Officials of a privately owned, Miami-based online company called Diet Spotlight say it has posted 3,200 reviews of supplements, weight-loss programs and exercise equipment by independent health and fitness experts.

They offer the pros and cons for each product and selected Avesil as the top 2009 supplement. Its experts say Avesil, with a blend of citrimax, green-tea extract, chromium and caffeine, is safe and backed by research claiming weight loss more than three times that of a healthy diet and exercise alone.
Jillian Michaels, popular wellness coach from NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” recently launched a line of weight-control supplements, QuickStart, with ThinCare International to increase fat burning and control appetite.

The Maximum Strength Fat Burner contains a proprietary blend of natural stimulants, including citrus fruits, guarana, coffee bean and cocoa.

Nathalie Chevreau, a registered dietitian, research scientist and adjunct faculty member at the University of Utah, said the blend comes from France, where it was tested on a group of overweight adults eating from 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day and continuing their typical exercise.

The group taking supplements twice daily lost an average of 12 pounds and 85 percent was fat, while a group taking placebos lost no weight, said Chevreau, ThinCare consultant.

Two daily dosages have 200 milligrams of caffeine — less than a Starbuck’s grande latte — so she said she believes the product is safe, as well as effective. But she advises people sensitive to caffeine or with medical
conditions to consult their doctors first.

Some health experts say people should be more leery of herbal supplements.
“The word ‘natural’ implies safety to people, but that’s not always true,” said Dr. Bill Roberts, former president of the Indianapolis-based American College of Sports Medicine and a family medicine professor at the University of Minnesota.

He and others stress that these supplements are not regulated by the FDA before they’re on the market, unlike prescription drugs, which go through scientific research to show their safety and efficacy. While the products’ packaging lists ingredients, Roberts said, no guarantee exists that the information is accurate.
“No one can say with any certainty that fat burners work or if they are safe to take over a long period of time,” said Annessa Chumbley, registered dietitian with Clarian Bariatrics in Indianapolis. She has reviewed research on numerous products and found marketers’ claims aren’t supported or products are ineffective. So she thinks people using fat-burners are wasting their money and possibly harming their health.

Personal trainer Abby Spencer is a firm believer in supplements, such as whey protein powders for pre- and post-workouts, but she usually advises against fat-burners. She said they’re powerful substances that elevate heart rate too high and may suppress appetite — counter to her theory of eating every few hours to keep your metabolism fired up.
“I think people get much better results by eating well,” she said. “There really is not a magic pill.”

*http://www.armytimes.com/offduty/health/offduty_health_supplements_120409w/