Friday Fact Or Fiction: Fat Burners May Be Dangerous

 

VERDICT: Fact - Unregulated by the FDA and often advertised as quick weight loss solutions, fat burners may be dangerous to people who have existing health issues and if taken without consulting your physician.

All you've got to do is Google "Quick Weight Loss" and you'll be presented with a plethora of miracle pills, some known as fat burners, to choose from. However, we're sure you've also heard about the dangers associated with fat burners and this should lead you to caution before you enter your credit card info. We can't deny fat burners have some benefit but they are not without risk. Here are few things to take into consideration before committing to purchase of fat burners.

fat burners for quick weight loss
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Before we go into the dangers of fat burners, let us first define the term more clearly for those of you who are unsure. "Fat burner" is the popular term for diet pills nowadays and there are several types. Stimulants are most common and are usually what the term "fat burner" refers to. These are thermogenics, which claim to speed up your metabolism and help you burn more calories.

Many people take stimulants for attention deficit disorder and on a daily basis for extra energy. To kill two birds with one stone, we'll go ahead and dismiss the myth that there is any pill anywhere that can burn fat literally on its own or decrease fat in any specific body region. Most people who experience positive results with fat burners are also practicing better diet and exercise habits. They are often helpful in these cases.

With that being said, fat burners are not for everyone. The label should contain a disclaimer outlining all persons who may be at risk for health problems should they decide to take this pill. There should also be a warning that anyone who is considering taking the pill, should see their doctor first. If you have hypertension, any kind of respiratory or cardiovascular disease or related health issues, or are nursing or pregnant, you must absolutely avoid fat burners. Only healthy adults over the age of 21 should consider fat burners.

Livestrong.com reports some common side effects experienced by fat burner users are heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety or irritability, tightness in the chest and even heart attacks. The caffeine also gives some people insomnia. While the effects are different for everyone and different pills have different side effects, the main thing to remember is that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplement claims. Therefore, it's probably safe to say manufacturers are stretching the truth a bit on the label. And it's your responsibility to make sure it's safe for you to take them. They are not miracle cures and are not meant for extremely overweight individuals.

The truth of the matter is nothing can take the place of a solid diet and workout regimen. At best, fat burners can give you an extra boost when used properly. Check with your doctor before adding any supplement to your diet to keep yourself safe and healthy.