’Tis the season to show the world the reason you spend all that time in the gym! But if you want to really make sure that those few pounds of fat are gone in time, consider some help from supplements. Supplements work through a number of mechanisms to help your body burn more fat. To maximize their effectiveness, combine ingredients that work synergistically to enhance both fat release and elimination. Here, we break down the most popular fat-burning ingredients by their mode of action. Find out here which ingredients to look for in a commercial fat burner, or build your own synergistic stack.
2 of 11
Caffeine
When you think of this popular stimulant, you’ll likely think of the buzz you get and how it ramps up calorie burning. While caffeine does torch calories, its main benefit is that it binds to the receptors on your fat cells.This is particularly effective when caffeine is taken before workouts, as several studies have confirmed. Take 200–400 milligrams of caffeine between meals two to three times per day; take one dosage 30–60 minutes prior to training-day workouts.
3 of 11
corbisimages.com
Yohimbe
This extract is from the bark of a West African tree that contains the active compound yohimbine, which, in addition to boosting libido, aids fat loss by increasing the amount of fat that gets released from your fat cells, much like caffeine does. A dose of yohimbe contains 5-20 milligrams, take this two to three times per day. One dosage should be consumed 30-60 minutes prior to training-day workouts.
4 of 11
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is a real no-brainer. It aids fat loss by boosting the number of calories you burn each day. The active ingredients in green tea that are responsible for the fat-burning effect are catechins, particularly one known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Take about 500 –1,000 milligrams of green tea extract standardized for EGCG two to three times per day. Take one of those dosages 30–60 minutes prior to training-day workouts.
5 of 11
Synephrine
This is one of the active ingredients in the bitter orange plant (Citrus aurantium). Synephrine works by boosting the metabolic rate (the number of calories you burn). Take about 5–20 milligrams of synephrine two to three times per day, having one of those doses 30–60 minutes prior to workouts.
6 of 11
corbisimages.com
Capsaicin
This natural plant chemical increases the amount of calories your body burns, thanks to its ability to raise epinephrine levels. A study from the University of Oklahoma found that subjects who took a supplement that contained both capsaicin and caffeine burned more calories both during exercise and afterward. Look for capsaicin or cayenne pepper supplements that list Scoville Heat Units (SHU), and take about 40,000 – 80,000 units. Take the supp 30 minutes before meals two to three times per day, and one of those doses should be taken 30–60 minutes prior to workouts. Capsaicin is commonly from chili peppers.
7 of 11
corbisimages.com
Olea Europaea Extract
This is the scientific name for olive leaf extract, and one of its most important ingredients is a chemical known as oleuropian. Not only is it a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system, but research shows that is also boots norepinephrine levels — raising the amount of calories and fat burned. Take about 500 -1,000 milligrams of olive leaf extract two to three times per day with meals.
8 of 11
Carnitine
This amino acid-like molecule is a critical component of the complex transportation system that brings fat into the mitochondria, where it gets completely burned. Several studies confirm that supplementing with carnitine increases the amount of fat burned by the body. Take 1-3 grams of carnitine in the form of L-carnitine, L-carnitine L-tartrate, or acetyl-L-carnitine, two to three times per day with meals, allotting one dose for your pre-workout meal and another for your post-workout meal.
9 of 11
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
This a natrually occuring group of healthy fats that are specifically omega-6 fats. Numerous research studies confirm that CLA enhances fat loss while simultaneously boosting muscle growth and strength. Take 1-3 grams of CLA with breakfast, lunch, and your last meal or shake at night.
10 of 11
coralreefecology.ucsd.edu
Fucoxanthin
This chemical is found in brown seaweed and gives it the brown olive-green color. When taken as a supplement, this carotenoid turns on genes that increase the number of calories burned. It also turnes off genes that increase fat-cell growth. Research in humans and animals shows that this increase in calorie burn and subsequent inhibition of fat-cell growth leads to significant fat loss over time. Take about 200 milligrams two to three times a day.
11 of 11
Fish Oil
This source of essential omega-3 fats provides both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These omega-3 fats have been found to turn on genes that increase fat burning while turning off genes that decrease fat storage. Take 2-3 grams two to three times per day with meals.
’Tis the season to show the world the reason you spend all that time in the gym! But if you want to really make sure that those few pounds of fat are gone in time, consider some help from supplements. Supplements work through a number of mechanisms to help your body burn more fat. To maximize their effectiveness, combine ingredients that work synergistically to enhance both fat release and elimination. Here, we break down the most popular fat-burning ingredients by their mode of action. Find out here which ingredients to look for in a commercial fat burner, or build your own synergistic stack.
Caffeine
When you think of this popular stimulant, you’ll likely think of the buzz you get and how it ramps up calorie burning. While caffeine does torch calories, its main benefit is that it binds to the receptors on your fat cells.
This is particularly effective when caffeine is taken before workouts, as several studies have confirmed. Take 200–400 milligrams of caffeine between meals two to three times per day; take one dosage 30–60 minutes prior to training-day workouts.
Yohimbe
This extract is from the bark of a West African tree that contains the active compound yohimbine, which, in addition to boosting libido, aids fat loss by increasing the amount of fat that gets released from your fat cells, much like caffeine does. A dose of yohimbe contains 5-20 milligrams, take this two to three times per day. One dosage should be consumed 30-60 minutes prior to training-day workouts.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is a real no-brainer. It aids fat loss by boosting the number of calories you burn each day. The active ingredients in green tea that are responsible for the fat-burning effect are catechins, particularly one known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Take about 500 –1,000 milligrams of green tea extract standardized for EGCG two to three times per day. Take one of those dosages 30–60 minutes prior to training-day workouts.
Synephrine
This is one of the active ingredients in the bitter orange plant (Citrus aurantium). Synephrine works by boosting the metabolic rate (the number of calories you burn). Take about 5–20 milligrams of synephrine two to three times per day, having one of those doses 30–60 minutes prior to workouts.
Capsaicin
This natural plant chemical increases the amount of calories your body burns, thanks to its ability to raise epinephrine levels. A study from the University of Oklahoma found that subjects who took a supplement that contained both capsaicin and caffeine burned more calories both during exercise and afterward. Look for capsaicin or cayenne pepper supplements that list Scoville Heat Units (SHU), and take about 40,000 – 80,000 units. Take the supp 30 minutes before meals two to three times per day, and one of those doses should be taken 30–60 minutes prior to workouts.
Capsaicin is commonly from chili peppers.
Olea Europaea Extract
This is the scientific name for olive leaf extract, and one of its most important ingredients is a chemical known as oleuropian. Not only is it a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system, but research shows that is also boots norepinephrine levels — raising the amount of calories and fat burned. Take about 500 -1,000 milligrams of olive leaf extract two to three times per day with meals.
Carnitine
This amino acid-like molecule is a critical component of the complex transportation system that brings fat into the mitochondria, where it gets completely burned. Several studies confirm that supplementing with carnitine increases the amount of fat burned by the body. Take 1-3 grams of carnitine in the form of L-carnitine, L-carnitine L-tartrate, or acetyl-L-carnitine, two to three times per day with meals, allotting one dose for your pre-workout meal and another for your post-workout meal.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
This a natrually occuring group of healthy fats that are specifically omega-6 fats. Numerous research studies confirm that CLA enhances fat loss while simultaneously boosting muscle growth and strength. Take 1-3 grams of CLA with breakfast, lunch, and your last meal or shake at night.
Fucoxanthin
This chemical is found in brown seaweed and gives it the brown olive-green color. When taken as a supplement, this carotenoid turns on genes that increase the number of calories burned. It also turnes off genes that increase fat-cell growth. Research in humans and animals shows that this increase in calorie burn and subsequent inhibition of fat-cell growth leads to significant fat loss over time. Take about 200 milligrams two to three times a day.
Fish Oil
This source of essential omega-3 fats provides both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These omega-3 fats have been found to turn on genes that increase fat burning while turning off genes that decrease fat storage. Take 2-3 grams two to three times per day with meals.
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