We love pills in this country. If there is a way to take a supplement to augment ourselves, most of us would pt it in our mouths without a second thought. However, doing so without proper research is not only stupid, but it can also be dangerous. There are a number of products out on the market that make bold promises, and the most famous of these are “fat burners”. The question is: do they really work, and if so, are they safe?
Fat Burners work on a simple principle: use the body’s metabolism to burn calories. Most of these utilize specific compounds that are stimulants, so that a person is burning through their energy reserves, and thus encourage weight loss. The most common of these are based on a chemical called Ephedrine, most commonly used to aid in concentration (sometimes referred to as “pep” pill). This drug has the added benefit of being an appetite suppressant, effectively making it ideal for weight loss. However, these types of fat burners can cause serious side effects, increasing the risk of cardiovascular damage, respiratory problems, as well as can damage the nervous system. When used with certain prescription drugs, the risk of these problems occurring is greatly increased. Ephedrine is not illegal in the US, although it is highly regulated since it can be used by illicit drug makers for the production of Ecstasy. Continue reading…
