Damage From Fat Burners

Fat burners are nutritional supplements that claim to speed up your metabolism, which, in turn, reduces body fat. To achieve this, fat burners contain a variety of compounds and herbs that may not necessarily be well studied for their effects and safety. The most common fat burner ingredients include caffeine anhydrous, green tea extract and conjugated linoleic acid. Always talk to your doctor first before using any fat burner for weight loss to make sure it is safe.

Caffeine Anhydrous

Caffeine anhydrous is a form of caffeine that contains less water than natural caffeine found in most foods. The absence of water makes this form of caffeine ideal for fat burning supplements because water can degrade the other compounds and herbs mixed with it. According to the book, "Essentials of Sports Nutrition and Supplements," caffeine anhydrous may cause an increase in blood pressure, which may be dangerous if you have cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. Caffeine anhydrous can also cause anxiety, stomach distress, diarrhea, difficulty concentrating and insomnia.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract is obtained through drying out and crushing green tea leaves. According to a 2007 study published in the journal, "Obesity," researchers found that supplementation with green tea extract reduces body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol. If you're using green tea extract as a fat burner, it is likely safe, although there have been concerns over the potential hepatotoxicity of this herbal substance, which has caused liver damage in some individuals, according to a literature review published in 2008 by the journal, "Drug Safety."

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Conjugated linoleic acid is a common ingredient in fat burning supplements because of its ability to reduce body fat by mobilizing fatty acids to be broken down and used for energy rather than being stored as fat. However, according to a 2002 study published by the American Heart Association's peer-reviewed journal, "Circulation," CLA supplementation can increase oxidative stress and inflammation in obese men. The oxidative stress caused by CLA increases insulin resistance, which can worsen the effects of diabetes and increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Other Considerations

Many fat burners contain herbs that may cause allergic reactions in people with pollen or plant hypersensitivities. If you experience an allergic reaction to any fat burner supplement, stop use and seek medical attention immediately. Fat burning supplements can be contaminated with toxins and other potentially harmful compounds during the manufacturing process because the facilities that produce them are not regulated by the FDA. Fat burners are not meant to replace diet and exercise for weight loss. If you choose to use fat burning supplements, always do so under the direction of your physician.