Because fat burners and energy enhances are marketed for different purposes, you may think that using the two types of supplements together is safe. However, fat burners and energy enhancers contain many similar ingredients, so you may end up consuming unsafe levels of certain substances, which can lead to dangerous side effects. Before using any supplements, consult a medical professional.
Unsafe Appetite Suppression
Both energy enhancing supplements and fat burners usually contain caffeine, which can stimulate your brain but suppress your appetite; so much so, that caffeine consumption should be limited in children to prevent malnutrition, according to CNN. If you take two supplements that are high in caffeine, you may experience a high level of appetite suppression, which could lead to unsafe weight loss.
Dehydration
Caffeine is found in both energy enhancers and fat burners, and dandelion root is found in many fat burners. As the University of Maryland Medical Center notes, dandelion acts as a diuretic; the American Heart Association notes that caffeine has a similar effect. As a result, you may excrete too much water and become dehydrated.
Strength Loss
Research published in the March 2006 issue of "Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior" reported that caffeine stimulates the release of the hormone cortisol. Because of the high caffeine content of energy enhancers and fat burners, your cortisol levels may rise dramatically. This can be detrimental to your muscles, as a study from the October 2008 issue of "Clinical Endocrinology" found that increased cortisol levels were associated with reduced strength.
Difficulty Sleeping
Because of their ability to increase energy levels and suppress appetite, caffeine and yohimbe are commonly found in both fat burners and energy enhancers. Unfortunately, caffeine can interfere with your sleep, and, as the American Cancer Society explains, yohimbe may also lead to difficulty sleeping and anxiety.
References
- CNN: CNN Food Central: Caffeine
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Dandelion
- American Heart Association: Caffeine
- PubMed.gov: Cortisol Responses to Mental Stress, Exercise, and Meals Following Caffeine Intake in Men and Women
- PubMed.gov: The Relationship Between Cortisol, Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength in Older Persons and The Role Of Genetic Variations in the Glucocorticoid Receptor
- American Cancer Society: Yohimbe
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