Girls often go to great lengths to achieve a perfect figure. Some even resort to taking over-the-counter supplements to lose weight. While fat burners induce quick weight loss by using stimulants to boost metabolic rate, these pills can be dangerous, particularly for children under the age of 18. Always consult a doctor before adding supplements or medications to your diet.
About Fat Burners
Metabolism is the process in the body that converts, or metabolizes, ingested food sources and stored body fat into energy. Everyone has a unique metabolism; some individuals have a fast metabolism, which allows body fat and food to be burned off more quickly than a person who has a slow metabolism. Fat Burners are supplements, usually in pill form, that use various forms of stimulants to increase metabolism. This increase in metabolism usually results in weight loss.
Fat Burner Safety
Most fat burners are considered to be supplements, not drugs, so they are not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the governmental department that regulates food and drugs for safety purposes. Since there are no formal regulations for companies who distribute these pills, there is no way to determine their safety. Side effects vary, but common complaints as a result of taking fat burners include jitters, anxiousness, restlessness, increased blood pressure and loss of electrolytes. Unregulated supplements can be risky; one unregulated herbal fat burner was removed from the market in the 2003 after causing heart attacks, strokes, seizures and death.
Fat Burners and Girls
There are several fat burners that are approved by the FDA, but these substances are considered unsafe for children under the age of 18. Girls under the age of 18 should not take fat burners, since children and teenagers are smaller than full-grown adults, resulting in less body mass which increases toxicity levels of ingested drugs. This could cause accidental overdose or magnified side effects. Fat burners also inhibit fat absorption; this, in turn, prevents fat-soluble vitamins, which are important for growth and development, from absorbing into the body. Girls and boys should avoid fat burners and young women or men over the age of 18 should consult a physician before taking dietary supplements.
Burning Fat Through Diet and Exercise
If you eat a well-balanced diet and participate in daily physical activity, you will burn fat naturally and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Add fruit, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat dairy to your diet. Avoid things like baked goods, candy, chips and sugary sodas. These are all complex carbohydrates that can lead to weight gain. Physical activity is anything that gets your heart beating faster; biking, playing sports, running and dancing are all examples of great physical activity. Eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly to increase metabolism and to burn unwanted fat.
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