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Thermogenics & Exercise

Feb 20, 2011 | By Darla Ferrara

In the scientific world, a thermogenic is a substance that produces heat. This term is often associated with weight loss and performance enhancing supplements to boost metabolism and increase energy. The mechanism behind the effect depends on the chemical. Some manufacturers of thermogenic supplements market them as a tool to increase endurance during exercise. There are some potentially serious risks with thermogenics. You should talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter drug or supplement purchased from the Internet to avoid interactions with medication and complications.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a xanthine thermogenic ingredient found in some dietary supplements. You also will find caffeine in sports and energy drinks. There is some evidence that even a small amount of caffeine can be beneficial for exercise. A report by Terry Graham from the University of Guelph states caffeine can increase endurance. Graham explains that the caffeine in coffee is different from pure caffeine found in a dietary supplement. Coffee is not an effective thermogenic for exercise. Why caffeine works to improve stamina for exercise is unknown, but, according to Graham, there is no evidence of side effects. Caffeine, however, is a stimulant and may cause nervousness. If you have a heart condition or are being treated for any chronic medical problem, ask your doctor if a caffeine supplement is right for you.

Ephedra

Ephedra, ephedrine or ma huang, may be a hot topic for those considering thermogenic supplements and exercise. In 2004, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of supplements containing this ingredient. History has proven that ephedra has some potentially dangerous side effects. Ephedra may cause hypertension, tachycardia, heart attack or stroke. This drug is associated with a number of deaths including professional baseball player Steve Bechler and Minnesota Viking Korey Stringer.

Stacking

Some supplements combine ingredients, such as ephedrine and caffeine, to create a stack effect to improve exercise performance and fat-burning capacity. One report by A. Astrup and colleagues from the Research Department of Human Nutrition at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Denmark claims that these stacking products may be useful as a treatment for obesity. The study shows that in combination, the drugs reduce fat and increase lean body tissue. Although some of these stacking compounds may be available on the Internet, they can contain the potentially fatal drug ephedra. Use of a stacking supplement may improve your exercise, but the harm it can do to your body may outweigh the advantages.

Considerations

Exercise is good for you by itself. Unless you are a professional athlete or training for competition, the positive benefit of a thermogenic is probably not worth the money or risk. This is not guess-work. People have died from taking thermogenics such as ephedra. According to the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, a thermogenic supplement can cause aggression and irritability. Working out regularly and eating a balanced diet is a much better approach to improving your fitness and health.

References

Article reviewed by Melanie Zoltan Last updated on: Feb 20, 2011

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