Do Jillian Michaels' Diet Supplements Have Caffeine In Them?

In addition to coaching participants on the "Biggest Loser" TV series, Jillian Michaels endorses and promotes a line of diet supplements manufactured by Thin Care. According to the product ingredient lists and warnings statements on the Jillian Weight Loss website, her specially created products --- Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Calorie Control and the Maximum Strength Fat Burner --- contain a significant amount of caffeine. Michaels' 2011 product line includes the Triple Process Total Body Deter & Cleanse Plus Robotic Replenishment, a caffeine-free product.

Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Fat Burner

The recommended dosage for the Maximum Strength Fat Burner is four capsules daily. Each dose of these capsules contains 100 mg of xanthine, a natural source of caffeine, and similar stimulants, according to the Jillian Weight Loss website. The dosing for each meal results in a daily total of 200 mg.

Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Calorie Control

The Maximum Strength Calorie Control supplement has a recommended daily dosage of two per meal, with a maximum of six daily. Each dose contains 100 mg of caffeine, for a total of 300 mg, when you take two capsules before each meal.

Combination Packages

The JumpStart 14 Day Cleanse & Burn is a supplement package that combines Michaels' Maximum Strength Fat Burner with the Detox Cleanser. Because the Detox supplement does not contain caffeine, your total daily caffeine intake is 200 mg from the Fat Burner. The QuickStart Rapid Weight Loss System combines the Fat Burner with the Calorie Control supplements. Dosage directions suggest taking the two 100 mg daily doses of Fat Burner and the three 100 mg of Calorie Control. This raises your caffeine intake from diet supplements to 500 mg daily.

Caffeine Warnings

The Jillian Weight Loss website warns consumers to avoid other products that contain caffeine while using these supplements. The caffeine in coffee, tea, over-the-counter medications, soda and sports drinks contribute to your daily caffeine intake. Depending on the brew strength, an 8 oz. cup of coffee contains 95 to 200 mg of caffeine, while the same size serving of black tea has 40 to 120 mg. A 12 oz. regular or diet soda, such as Coke, delivers 23 to 54 mg of caffeine for regular or diet varieties. A dose of Excedrin Extra Strength has 130 mg of caffeine and one NoDoz tablet contains 200 mg.

Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant and diuretic. Excess caffeine produces excitability, headaches and insomnia. MayoClinic.com recommends a maximum intake of 600 mg daily. Michaels' products contain xanthine and caffeine from guarana, a tropical plant. Michaels' warnings also note that additional caffeine may cause an irregular heartbeat.

Expert Insight

Rosemary Black, a "New York Daily News" writer, quotes J. Ventrelle of the Rush University Medical Center, who says caffeine speeds up your metabolism. For this purpose, you could just as easily get your caffeine from a cup of coffee or a soda. Ventrelle also states that caffeine is ineffective for weight loss. When the caffeine wears off, dieters have low blood sugar, which then causes them to compensate by overeating.