Comparing fat burners can be difficult, because flashy marketing and unreliable testimonials often conflict with actual science. Many companies promise the world, with pictures of lean fitness models on the bottle. By comparing price, ingredients and serving size, you can easily tell your true weight-loss allies from the rest of the pack.
Step 1
Check for stimulants such as caffeine, yohimbe and synephrine. Many fat burners contain these central nervous system stimulants, which may adversely affect those with heart disease. For non-caffeinated alternatives, try Fucothin, Forslean, 7-keto, L-carnitine or CLA (conjugated linolenic acid).
Step 2
Look for the proven ingredient (from green tea extract) known as EGCG. This antioxidant compound has been shown to increase metabolic rate, according to Homemade Supplement Secrets by Jeff Anderson. Three hundred milligrams of EGCG per day can have a significant effect on fat-burning, especially when combined with 200 milligrams of caffeine.
Step 3
Pay special attention to the list of ingredients. Many companies use a sprinkling of ingredients, called a proprietary blend. Not only do you not know exactly what is in these products, but you cannot tell if the concentrations of the ingredients are effective at the dosages provided. Simple, effective products based around the EGCG-caffeine blend are a good bet.
Step 4
Divide the price of the fat burner by the number of servings in the bottle. This simple calculation will give you the price per serving. Remember to take into account the number of servings they recommend per day. The most expensive products are not always the best or most effective fat burners.
Step 5
Choose a product that contains natural diuretics such as uva ursi, dandelion root, burdock root, chlorophyll or grapefruit extract. For individuals who retain water easily, these ingredients will help to flush out excess fluids as well as toxins that may inhibit fat loss. Be sure to drink plenty of water with products containing diuretics.
References
- Homemade Supplement Secrets; Jeff Anderson; CQC LLC, 2009
- Xtreme Lean; Jonathan Lawson and Steve Holman; Ironman Publishing, 2008
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